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26 Feb 25. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a technology company in the defense, national security and global markets, and RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., today announced an approximate 50/50 partnership for the establishment of a U.S.-based merchant supplier of solid rocket motors (SRMs) and other energetics. The new joint venture, named Prometheus Energetics (“Prometheus”), is set to be headquartered on an approximate 500-acre site near the United States Navy and Army facility in Crane, Indiana. Kratos and RAFAEL (through its U.S. based subsidiary RAFAEL USA) have jointly committed up to $175 million in capital for the establishment of Prometheus and required property, plant, equipment and personnel needed for the new, state-of-the-art energetics manufacturing campus and facilities. After construction of the plant and once RAFAEL’s technology transfer is completed and certified for operations, Prometheus is projected to begin production in 2027 of SRMs.
Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos Defense, said, “We believe Prometheus, once up and running at full rate production, will be a step function catalyst in value creation for Kratos’ stakeholders and the U.S. defense industrial base, similar to Kratos’ recent MACH-TB contract award—the largest single-award contract in Kratos history. Like other major Kratos investments such as Oriole, Zeus, and Erinyes, Prometheus responds to a critical need to strengthen the U.S. Industrial Base and will also provide tens of thousands of SRMs and casted warheads supporting both America’s most reliable partner in the Middle East and United States national security related demand from a true SRM and energetics merchant supplier.”
Yoav Tourgeman, President and CEO of RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., said: “The establishment of Prometheus Energetics is a strategic leap forward, reinforcing RAFAEL’s commitment to strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base while ensuring our allies and partners have access to the most advanced, combat-proven energetics solutions. This step constitutes a strategic vector that combines business considerations in the American market with the increasing demand for energetic products, while significantly enhancing our ability to deliver resilient and reliable supply solutions to our customers. Through this joint venture, we are deepening our longstanding partnership with the United States, strengthening supply chain independence, and bolstering the critical capabilities needed to address evolving national security challenges.”
26 Feb 27. US Army will field its long-range hypersonic weapon by end of fiscal year. Following a lengthy delay as the U.S. Army and Navy struggled to test the round, the Army will field its long-range hypersonic weapon to the first unit by the end of fiscal 2025, a defense official confirmed Wednesday in a statement to Defense News. The Army had planned to field the live, ground-launched hypersonic rounds to the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Field Artillery Brigade unit at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state by the fall of 2023. But the milestone continued to be pushed back after several aborted tests in 2023 due to challenges at the range, related not to the round, but the process of firing up the missile for launch. Testing the all-up round was considered critical to ensure the system was safe, effective and ready for fielding, said then-Army acquisition chief Doug Bush. The U.S. is in a race to field the capability and develop systems to defend against hypersonic missiles. China and Russia are actively developing and testing hypersonic weapons. The Army conducted an end-to-end successful flight test of its hypersonic missile at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii in May 2024, which put the initial fielding to the first unit closer on the horizon. The Army and Navy completed another successful all-up round test in December at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, of what the services call the Common Hypersonic Glide Body, or C-HGB. The test provided additional confidence to move forward with the program.
“This test builds on several flight tests in which the Common Hypersonic Glide Body achieved hypersonic speed at target distances and demonstrates that we can put this capability in the hands of the warfighter,” then-Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said in a Pentagon statement at the time of the test.
The two services jointly developed the glide body. The Army will launch its version, which it calls the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon, or LRHW, from a mobile ground platform. The Navy’s version, dubbed Conventional Prompt Strike, will be launched from ships. Hypersonic weapons are capable of flying faster than Mach 5 — or more than 3,836 miles per hour — and can maneuver between varying altitudes, making them difficult to detect. The C-HGB is made up of the weapon’s warhead, guidance system, cabling and thermal protection shield. While the plan to field the weapon to the U.S. Army has taken nearly two years longer than planned, Army officials have been quick to point out that missile development programs typically take about 10 years. The LRHW program is only just beyond the five-year mark. The Army has worked with Leidos’ Dynetics for years to build the industrial base for the C-HGB that will be used by both the ground service and the Navy, as the domestic private sector has never built a hypersonic weapon. The service also separately produced launchers, trucks, trailers and the battle operations center necessary to put together the first weapon battery. Lockheed Martin is the weapon system integrator for the Army’s hypersonic capability that will be launched from a mobile truck. In preparation for receiving the all-up rounds, the Army completed its delivery of the first hypersonic weapon capability — minus the rounds — to the Multi-Domain Task Force unit at JBLM two days ahead of its end-of-fiscal 2021 fielding deadline. The unit has been training on the system since the delivery. (Source: Defense News)
27 Feb 25. EnforceTac 2025: Heckler & Koch working on new 5.56 mm LMG. Heckler & Koch (H&K) is currently developing a 5.56×45 mm version of the HK421 light machine gun (LMG), which is currently chambered in 7.62×51 mm. Speaking at the EnforceTac 2025 defence exhibition, held from 24 to 26 February in Nuremberg, Germany, Greg Mulligan, of the H&K Weapons Expert Team UK, told Janes that the company expects to submit the new machine gun for the UK’s recently announced Project Troubler. The new gun, which has been assigned the commercial designation of HK223, is a scaled-down version of the HK421, originally unveiled at Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2023. No further technical details were provided other than that the HK223 will be a purely belt-fed weapon. A contract of up to GBP4m (USD5.1m) for Project Troubler was officially announced on 14 February 2025, with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) saying it was to “procure a 5.56 mm lightweight (current system 7.1 kg) assault machine gun capability for the dismounted user”. The specified weight corresponds to that of the FN Minimi Para, known in British service as the L110A2. Furthermore, Mulligan confirmed to Janes that H&K intends to submit both the HK416 and HK433 rifles for the British Army’s Project Grayburn, which will replace the SA80 individual weapon system in the British Army. Janes understands that the out-of-service date of the SA80, originally planned for 2030, has now been pushed back to 2035. (Source: Janes)
26 Feb 25. Brazil’s BRVANT enters loitering munitions market. Brazilian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) manufacturer BRVANT – Soluções Tecnológicas has developed a family of loitering munition systems intended for use by dismounted infantry and special operations forces. The family comprises two fixed-wing craft, Hunter V1 and Hunter V2, BRVANT told Janes on 25 January. Both come equipped with artificial intelligence (AI)-driven data processing. While the Hunter V1 is designed for the anti-personnel role, equipped with a 1 kg thermobaric warhead, Hunter V2 can carry a 5 kg thermobaric or high-explosive anti-tank warhead suitable for striking armoured and unarmoured vehicles. Hunter V2 can carry additional sensors to perform intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles. Hunter V1 is powered by an electric engine, while Hunter V2 can be powered by either electric or gasoline engines. While Hunter V1 can be launched by hand, elasticcatapult, or canister, Hunter V2 requires launch from a catapult, pylon, or canister. Both models come standard with an electro-optical gimbal, autopilot unit, multiband encrypted telemetry system, inertial measurement unit (IMU), GPS receiver, and a forward-looking flight camera. The loitering munitions received development funding from Brazil’s state-owned Funding Agency for Studies and Projects (FINEP). Hunter V1 has a length of 1.1 m, a wingspan of 90 cm, a maximum take-off weight (MToW) of 4 kg, and a maximum range of 10 km. The larger Hunter V2 offers a length of 1.5 m, a wingspan of 1 m, an MToW of 25 kg, and a maximum range of 40 km. They can undertake functions such as swarm flight and fully autonomous navigation, or be remotely controlled through a ruggedised portable or a fixed ground control station with an integrated mission planning system. (Source: Janes)
27 Feb 25. Hanwha Aerospace strengthens defense partnership with Norway, beyond K9 success.
- Hanwha Aerospace hosted ‘Hanwha-Norway Industry Day’ in Oslo, expanding bilateral partnership built upon the successful cooperation on the K9 VIDAR Self-Propelled Howitzer.
- Norway has acquired 24 K9 VIDAR systems and 6 K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicles, with an additional delivery of 4 K9s and 8 K10 ARVs in February 2025
- Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launch System (MRLS) would be a new platform for bilateral cooperation, enhancing Norway’s long-range precision fires capability
Hanwha Aerospace is dedicated to deepening its defense cooperation with Norwegian industries, building on the successful supply of K9 VIDAR Self-Propelled Howitzers since 2017. In a move to expand the bilateral partnership further, Hanwha Aerospace held ‘Hanwha-Norway Industry Day’ at the NHO Conference in Oslo on February 26. The event attracted high-profile industry representatives from Norway, including Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace (KDA), Nammo, and over 30 other Norwegian defense companies. Seo Min-Jeong, the Korean Ambassador, also attended the industrial partnership event.
“Norway is one of our key partners in Europe, with whom we’ve established strong cooperation through K9 contracts and partnerships with premier defense companies in Norway.” said Chae Hoon, Head of the PGM Division at Hanwha Aerospace. “This event was dedicated to fostering relationships with Norwegian defense companies and exploring opportunities to enhance bilateral defense capabilities and cooperation.”
During the event, the Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launch System (MRLS) gained strong attention from participants for its sophisticated long-range precision fire capability. The Chunmoo, a 239mm multiple rocket launcher system co-developed by Hanwha Aerospace and the Agency for Defense Development, would be a platform potentially for widening bilateral defence cooperation, as the rocket launcher offers advanced long-range precision fires capability with significant advantages in delivery timelines and cost-effectiveness. Chunmoo’s versatile design allows integration with vehicles and launchers manufactured by other nations, as demonstrated by the ‘HOMAR-K’ currently deployed in Poland, which combines Jelcz vehicles with Chunmoo launchers. The system is compatible with firing 40 rounds of 130mm ammunition, and development is underway to accommodate the widely used European 122mm ammunition standard. The localized version of Chunmoo is integrated in Poland by Polish Armament Group (PGZ) and features local command and communication systems from WB Group. This further demonstrates Hanwha’s openness to cooperation with local industries in customer nations.
Evolving Partnership
The partnership between Hanwha Aerospace and Norway began in 2017 with a contract worth approximately $2.4bn for 24 K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Howitzers and 6 K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicles. This cooperation continued further with an additional contract in 2022 for 4 K9s and 8 K10s, delivered to the Norwegian Armed Forces earlier this month. The successful execution of these contracts has established a strong foundation for expanding defense cooperation with major Norwegian defence companies more broadly. In June 2024, Hanwha signed an MOU with KDA, Norway’s largest defense contractor, at the Eurosatory defense exhibition in France, enabling integration of Kongsberg’s Integrated Combat Solution (ICS), Digital Vehicle Platform, and Remote Weapon Systems across various Hanwha platforms. Back in June 2022, both companies signed an MOU focused on Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) and Long-Range Precision Fire Systems (LRPFS), highlighting the growing strategic partnership between the two defense industry leaders.
25 Feb 25. QinetiQ US is participating in a multi-phase prototype effort to advance the development of the Future Advanced Long-range Common Optical/Netted-fires Sensor (FALCONS) system with the U.S. Army Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S). This next-generation target acquisition system will enhance the Army’s battlefield sensing capabilities while supporting its modernization objectives for 2030 and beyond. FALCONS is designed to replace the current Long-Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System (LRAS3) and is planned to deliver enhanced all-weather target detection and identification at ranges exceeding enemy weapons systems’ effective ranges.
“QinetiQ US brings deep expertise in complex systems integration and a thorough understanding of soldier needs to the FALCONS program,” said Jonathan Riksen, executive vice president and general manager of QinetiQ US’ National & Global Security Solutions. “We are uniquely positioned to coordinate with key suppliers and integrate advanced technologies – from AI-enabled target recognition to multi-spectrum sensing – into a cohesive system that will give our warfighters a decisive advantage on the battlefield.”
The FALCONS program represents a significant advancement in military sensor technology, incorporating artificial intelligence and potential semi-autonomous capabilities to reduce soldier workload while improving target detection and recognition. QinetiQ US will leverage its extensive experience in sensor integration and data management to ensure seamless interoperability across battlefield networks.
This latest award builds upon QinetiQ US’s long-standing partnership with the U.S. Army in developing and deploying advanced sensor and targeting systems. The company will apply lessons learned from previous successful Army programs to accelerate FALCONS development and deployment, ensuring the system meets both current and emerging battlefield requirements. (Source: PR Newswire)
25 Feb 25. Aselsan Successfully Tests GOKTAN System. The first live-fire test of GÖKTAN system, conducted in Sinop, northern Türkiye, marked a major milestone in ground-based precision strike capabilities. Designed to enable ground-to-ground engagements, GÖKTAN successfully launched ASELSAN’s TOLUN munition, achieving pinpoint accuracy in its first firing test. ASELSAN, Türkiye’s leading defense company, has added GÖKTAN to its extensive portfolio of game-changing defense systems, successfully completing its first firing test and demonstrating its capability for long-range ground-based engagements. Originally designed to integrate air-launched munitions, GÖKTAN has now enabled the ground-launch adaptation of TOLUN, reinforcing Türkiye’s advancements in guided munition capabilities. Developed under ASELSAN’s leadership in collaboration with DELTA-V, GÖKTAN system enhances precision engagement through integrated command-and-control and fire control systems, enabling mission planning and optimized firing sequences. This test validated the adaptation of TOLUN to a ground-launched configuration, expanding its operational flexibility and demonstrating its capability for long-range strikes. During the test, after separating from DELTA-V rocket, TOLUN successfully deployed its wings, transitioning into a guided flight mode before striking its designated target with pinpoint accuracy. GÖKTAN system enables 360-degree firing capability, allowing engagement of critical targets without platform maneuvering. The system also supports waypoint-defined targeting, independent and centralized operation modes, multi-target engagement, and sequential firing, ensuring high effectiveness in dynamic combat environments. This milestone marks a major step in Türkiye’s efforts to develop platform-independent precision strike solutions, further strengthening its defense industry’s ability to deliver cutting-edge, indigenous technologies for modern battlefield operations. ASELSAN President & CEO Ahmet Akyol emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating: “We have reached a key milestone in equipping TOLUN with ground-launch capability. As we continue to develop force-multiplier systems, this advancement enhances Türkiye’s precision-strike capabilities and expands its operational flexibility.” (Source: ASD Network)
25 Feb 25. B61-12 System Production Ends, Sustainment Begins. Weapon fully transitions into stockpile sustainment. Sandia National Laboratories and the nuclear security enterprise have achieved a significant milestone for the nation’s nuclear deterrence program with the completion of the last production unit of the B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb in December. While the last production unit is now complete, the B61-12 program is still producing spare components and pursuing program closeout activities into fiscal year 2026.
“It’s a tremendous accomplishment,” said Rich Otten, a Sandia senior manager involved in the design and production aspects of the B61-12 Life Extension Program. “For more than a decade, people have poured their time, effort and careers into making this a reality.”
The completion of the last production unit is the result of collaborative partnerships among the Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories, the Kansas City National Security Campus, Pantex Plant, Y-12 National Security Complex, Savannah River Site, the National Nuclear Security Administration and the U.S. Air Force, along with numerous vendors. The B61 went into service in 1968. As part of this life extension program, most older modifications of the B61 have been replaced to extend the weapon’s service life by at least 20 years resulting in a high reliability stockpile. Sandia is the design and engineering laboratory for the nonnuclear components in the life extension program and the systems integrator for the B61-12. As systems integrator, Sandia is responsible for ensuring all systems and subsystems work together seamlessly. Otten added that production is complex, and significant effort went into ensuring aircraft compatibility, especially as changes were made to delivery platforms.
With full system production complete, the B61-12 is now fully a stockpile system.
“We want to take time to recognize and celebrate the last production unit,” said Scott Klenke, a Sandia senior manager overseeing stockpile sustainment. “This is just the beginning of our efforts at Sandia to make sure the B61-12 is sustained and maintained appropriately. It’s a critical element to ensure we have a strong and viable deterrent.”
Sandia also produced several components delivered to the Kansas City National Security Campus and Pantex Plant to enable full-scale production.
Klenke said work will continue across the nuclear security enterprise, NNSA and the Department of Defense to ensure stockpile surveillance activities on the B61-12 run smoothly. These activities include randomly selecting units, disassembling them at the Pantex Plant and testing components at Sandia’s Weapons Evaluation Testing Laboratory.
Additionally, some units will be used to support surveillance flight tests. Testing data from surveillance, laboratory and flight activities are used to support the system’s annual assessment report, which underpins the Labs director’s letter asserting the safety, reliability and performance of weapons in the stockpile.
“These surveillance and assessment activities continue until retirement and until the last unit is dismantled,” Klenke said. (Source: ASD Network)
25 Feb 25. Skyeton’s New Payloads Presented at Xponential Europe. Skyeton, a leading Ukrainian manufacturer of UAS, presented its latest payload development: Remora, a gliding munition, and a line of GLE, multi-mission gimbals. The presentation took place at XPONENTIAL Europe in Düsseldorf. In addition to its flagship product, the sUAS Raybird, Skyeton exhibited Remora, a precise, distant-impact gliding munition.
Technical Specifications:
- Warhead: cumulative, high-explosive fragmentation
- Warhead weight: 1,5 – 2,5 kg
- Post-release velocity: 140 km/h
- Control: real-time command guidance
- Targeting system: target acquisition and terminal guidance
Roman Knyazhenko, CEO of Skyeton: “Remora is a next-generation gliding munition designed to enhance the combat capabilities of small UAVs. It is the world’s first solution for small tactical UAVs (under 25 kg) enabling the munitions delivery deep into enemy territory. It ensures precise impact while keeping the aircraft undetected. The ability to control the munition both manually and autonomously after release allows for versatile mission profiles and target engagement.”
Another new product presented at the event was a line of GLE-6 and GLE-7 gimbals. The GLE series is a line of optical-electronic systems with ergonomics for operating in highly stressful environments. It includes three sensors: a global shutter EO sensor, a MWIR, and a laser rangefinder.
Key Features of GLE gimbals:
- Video is always recorded and transmitted from all cameras
- Separate bitrates support for recording and online streaming
- Bitrate auto-adjustment and auto-dispensation among cameras
- Video recording on a MicroSD card with quick access
- Energy buffer for safe video recording termination
- UAVs’ telemetry data processing and display
- Integration with UAVs via Mavlink
Ukraine’s Defense Forces actively use Skyeton’s unmanned aerial systems during the Russia-Ukraine war. The company continuously improves its products to provide convenient and effective solutions for modern warfare.
About Skyeton
Skyeton is a Ukrainian, leading manufacturer of remotely controlled aviation systems with a long history in aviation development. Our flagship Raybird offers a comprehensive UAS solution for commercial and military applications, including a ground control system, launcher, antenna, and customizable payloads. It guarantees unmatched 28-hour endurance. (Source: UAS VISION)
24 Feb 25. Space Force will play ‘central role’ in Iron Dome, service chief says. The Space Force will play a “central role” in the Pentagon’s efforts to develop a homeland missile defense shield, or Iron Dome for America, according to the service’s top officer. President Donald Trump issued an executive order in late January calling on the Defense Department to develop an “Iron Dome for America” — a more advanced version of Israel’s Iron Dome, designed to counter a range of missile threats, including hypersonic weapons. The order highlights several space-based elements of this architecture that build on existing capabilities like the Missile Defense Agency’s Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor program and the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, which includes a constellation of missile warning and tracking satellites.
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman told reporters Monday that given the executive order’s emphasis on space systems, it’s natural the service would play a key role in its development, adding that the service has established an integrated planning team, or IPT, to explore options in response to the order.
“I think we have a central role to play,” Saltzman said. “We are leaning forward establishing this technical IPT to start thinking about it from an overarching perspective.”
The team is evaluating what systems the Space Force already has in development to support the president’s order and what capabilities it would need to build. From there, it’s exploring questions around technical feasibility and drafting cost estimates based on current programs, as well as its projections for what a more advanced architecture would require.
The IPT will likely finalize that early analysis in the coming weeks — a truncated timeline that will require “a lot of triage,” according to a senior Space Force official who spoke to reporters Monday on the condition of anonymity.
Once complete, the Space Force’s IPT work will be shared alongside similar analysis being conducted by U.S. Space Command, the National Reconnaissance Office and the Missile Defense Agency. Senior DOD leaders will then conduct a series of reviews to determine next steps, including what programs to start.
The official noted that the Space Force’s intent is to provide an honest assessment of where the technology stands today and what is feasible to deliver — particularly when it comes to fielding space-based interceptors.
“One of the worst things to do is bite off a technical challenge that you can’t solve in a reasonable cost frame, a reasonable time frame,” the official said. “We’ll be very forthright with, ‘Here’s where we think the technology stands.’” (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
21 Feb 25. British Army’s rebuilt AH-64E Apache fleet nears completion. Of 50 Apache E models planned, 47 have now been delivered to the UK military by US defence prime Boeing. The UK has received three more AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, as the programme to deliver 50 remanufactured airframes into British Army service nears completion. In a 20 February 2025, social media post, the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) acquisition arm, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), said the 45th, 46th and 47th of the new Apache E models have been transported from the US to the UK. A total of 50 AH-64E helicopters will be delivered to the British Army by US defence and aerospace prime Boeing. It was reported by Army Technology 2024 that the MoD’s acquisition of 50 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters via a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) with the US government appeared to be running to budget. Detailing the currently initial procurement cost of the UK Apache FMS with the US, then Conservative UK Defence Procurement Minister James Cartlidge said the programme forecast was £1.793bn ($2.3bn) against an approval of £1.999bn. This is broadly on track with the figures outlined in the earlier FMS agreement between the UK and US. In 2020, the UK MoD’s DE&S finalised the FMS with the US to buy 50 AH-64Es, worth approximately $2.3bn at the time, with the first two aircraft arriving in November 2020. By February 2024, 38 airframes had been delivered, ahead of what was planned to be the arrival of the final dozen AH-64Es by the end of the year. However, with the delivery of three more remanufactured airframes in February 2025, a final package of three AH-64Es is still outstanding for the UK Armed Forces. Initial Operating Capability was declared in May 2023, with a Full Operating Capability scheduled early 2026, according to DE&S. DE&S states a large number of parts from the Mk1 are being used in the production of the E model, which reduces production costs, effectively remanufacturing the aircraft with upgraded and updated capabilities. New capabilities with the AH-64E compared to the D variant include improved rotor blades, engine output, maritime mode radar, and weaponry. While more capable than the D model, the acquisition of the AH-64E will see a reduction in fleet size, dropping from 66 to 50 airframes. (Source: army-technology.com)
21 Feb 25. SOCOM Wants Drone-Launched Glide Bombs. SOFWERX, in collaboration with US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) and US Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC), will host an assessment event to advance efforts in developing and producing an advanced light-weight precision glide munition.
Background/Synopsis
USSOCOM is seeking industry submissions for a precision glide munition that is smaller than the GBU-69 and that can be delivered by light-weight uncrewed aircraft.
Objective
The government is interested in the development and eventual fielding of a low-cost, light-weight, precision, unpowered, air-launched glide munition to fill the gap for glide munitions smaller than the GBU-69 for use by U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF).
Why You Should Participate
USSOCOM seeks to enter into non-FAR or FAR-based agreements with Industry, Academic, and National Lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by USASOC and USASMDC Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). As such, the follow-on Assessment Event (AE) is considered competitive, and solutions will be evaluated independently of one another primarily for technical merit. This serves dually as notification of the intent to research the feasibility of an agreement under 10 U.S. Code, Section 4022 and/or Section 4022(f), and as notice of pre-solicitation activities IAW FAR 5.204.
Event Timeline
Phase 1 – 18 February 2025 to 10 March 2025 Submissions to the Assessment Event (AE) Open:
Interested respondents who could potentially provide solutions that meet the needs of USSOCOM are encouraged to submit their capability for USSOCOM review. To submit your technology for potential Phase 3 attendance, please review the assessment criteria and follow the submission instructions at the bottom of this webpage.
Phase 1a – 26 February 2025 Q&A Telecon: Interested offerors may participate in a virtual Q&A session to better understand the PM’s specific technology objectives. The telecon will take place on 26 February from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET. RSVP at the bottom of this webpage.
Phase 2 – 11 March 2025 to 18 March 2025 Downselect: USSOCOM will downselect those respondents/submissions they feel have the highest potential to satisfy their technology needs. Favorably evaluated submissions will receive an invitation to attend the AE on/around 18 March 2025.
Phase 3 – 08 April 2025 to 10 April 2025 Assessment Event (AE): During the AE, selected participants will be allotted a one-on-one session with the USSOCOM evaluation panel to pitch, demonstrate, and/or discuss their solutions. The forum will include a Q&A portion and discussions may continue outside of the event. Solution brief presentation guidelines will be outlined in the event invitation and solutions will be assessed according to the criteria in the link provided below. If the USSOCOM evaluation panel favorably evaluates a solution brief, negotiations for Phase 4 may immediately begin.
This event will be held in person at TBD in Tampa, FL.
Phase 4 – Path Forward: Successfully negotiated awards may fall under any combination of these categories:
- Business to business research and development agreement as a sub-award through the SOFWERX Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) (15 U.S. Code Section 3715)
- OTA for research or prototype projects (10 U.S. Code Sections 4021, 4022)
- An award under 10 U. S. Code, Section 4022 may result in the further award of a follow-on production agreement without additional competition based on successful prototype completion. The Government may make this follow-on production award based upon successful prototype criteria, which will be determined for each prototype project.
- Procurement for experimental purposes (10 U.S. Code Section 4023)
- Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (15 U.S. Code Section 3710a)
- Prizes for advanced technology achievements (10 U. S. Code Section 4025) and/or prize competitions (15 U.S. Code 3719)
- FAR-based procurement contract
NOTE:
Awardees may need to be compliant with NIST SP 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in Non-Federal Systems and Organizations
How You Can Participate
Government, Industry, Academia, National Labs, and Non-Traditional Attendees
- RSVP to the 26 February Virtual Q&A Telecon: Click Here to RSVP (NLT 25 February)
- Review Assessment Criteria: Click Here to Review
- Download the White Paper Template: Click Here to Review
- Download the Quad Chart Template: Click Here to Review
- Complete the Submission Form: Click Here to Submit (NLT 10 March 2025 11:59 PM ET) (Source: UAS VISION/SOFWERX)
20 Feb 25. British Army to get new infantry machine gun and sniper rifle. The UK MoD has issued two PQQ notices seeking industry responses for “assault machine gun” and sniper rifle replacement. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has asked industry to provide solutions for new 5.56mm “assault machine gun” and a replacement for the legacy L115 and L118 sniper rifle through its respective Project’s Shamer and Troubler. Each of the Project Shamer and Troubler pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ), published in mid-February 2025, has a maximum contract value of £4m ($5.5m), with industry responses due by 24 March 2025. The proposed contract start dates for each programme is stated to begin on 1 June 2026 and conclude on 2 June 2033. The 5.56mm assault machine gun requirement, intended for use by the “dismounted user” is the replacement effort of the L110 A2 Light Machine Gun (LMG), known as the Minimi in UK service, which was axed in 2018. In the place of the Minimi, infantry sections were tasked to use the L129A1 Sharpshooter and the L7A2 GPMG 7.62mm heavy machine gun. However, it now appears the UK MoD is seeking an alternative infantry machine gun, chambered in 5.56mm, and more easily carried by dismounted troops. Meanwhile, the current variant of the L115 sniper rifle, the A3 version, was first deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 as part of the Sniper System Improvement Programme (SSIP). Designed to achieve a first-round hit at 600 metres and harassing fire out to 1,100 metres, Accuracy International’s L96 sniper rifle was teamed with a new x3-x12 x 50 sight and spotting scope. Manufactured by Accuracy International, the L115A3 long range rifle fires an 8.59mm bullet which is heavier than the 7.62mm round of the L96 system. Other elements of the SSIP included night sights, spotting scopes, laser range finders and tripods.
Grayburn, Upham, Hunter, Shamer, and Troubler – increasing lethality
These programmes are running concurrent with a wider effort replace the SA80 battle rifle in British Army service under Project Grayburn. Project Grayburn is thought likely to go on contract in the Q4 2026 – Q1 2027 timeframe, for around 150,000 weapons, deliverable in batches. Similarly, it is anticipated that the British Army will receive a new optical sensor for its current SA80 and future Armalite-style battle rifle under the little-known Project Upham. Solutions will include a need for infrared capability, a significant improvement over the current basic zoom optics. In November 2024 the British Army was announced to be receiving new thermal scopes for SA80A3 and Hunter battle rifles via the TALON thermal imaging sights, with the deal for around 10,000 units. Other industrial players are known to be looking at optics solutions for the British Army, such as Thales with its EXTRAIM system.
Projects Shamer and Troubler also follow on from the 2023 award under Project Hunter of the L403A1 KS-1 as the Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) for the UK military’s Special Operations Brigade. The programme was thought likely to influence the replacement of the SA80 rifles under Project Grayburn. The selection of the KS-1 battle rifle for the Royal Marines is thought likely to influence the decision for the wider replacement of the legacy SA80 bullpup rifle used by the UK Armed Forces. The UK military has long sought to introduce new personal weapons for use in special operations units as well as regular forces. In mid-2021, a contract notice was issued detailing the planned procurement and support of an Armalite-style rifle platform AIW system. First entering service in the 1980s, the SA80 bullpup assault rifle has gone through a series of upgrades and iterations, with the SA80A2 being created in 2002 following a mid-life upgrade, followed by the SA80A3 in the mid-to-late-2010s. The latest variant, known as the L85A3, has been gradually rolled out across the British Army. Manufactured by Heckler and Koch, the SA80 fires the Nato standard 5.56×44 ammunition. In January 2022 a Parliamentary written response revealed that the UK had a total inventory of 134,912 SA80A2 variants and 17,900 SA80A3 variants, held across defence. (Source: army-technology.com)
20 Feb 25. IDEX 2025: Hanwha K9 to gain a foothold in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are among the Gulf countries in talks with Hanwha regarding the potential procurement of the K9 howitzer. Hanwha Aerospace is looking to expand its presence in the Middle East market with its 155mm K9 artillery system, which was exhibited at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2025) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 19 February 2025. The K9 first emerged in 1996 and subsequently followed up with the A1 variant in 2018. Hanhwa went on to propose the K9A2, which enhanced aspects of the fire control system, while the latest A3 variant is in research and development comprising a larger gun and increased autonomy. The platform operates using ‘shoot and scoot’ tactics, balancing surface-to-surface firepower with survivability through mobility. While nothing has been finalised, a spokesperson confirmed to Army Technology that talks with certain Gulf countries regarding the potential procurement of the K9 and other Hanwha systems are ongoing.
Tapping into the Middle East
Hanwha have set its sights on the UAE, whose armed forces plan to upgrade their self-propelled artillery systems soon: the spokesperson specified that the manufacturer will likely submit a proposal some time in 2025. The spokesperson noted that the UAE was attracted to the the K9’s new home-built, 1,000 horsepower diesel engine. It has lately completed acceptance trials, proving that the engine powered the tracked howitzer across 10,000km of desert terrain in Egypt and the UAE. Also, the indigenous engine is not subject to troublesome export licences. STX, a Korean engine manufacturer, needed the licences to build the German-made MTU engine for K9. Elsewhere in the region, Hanwha has also approached Saudi Arabia. Although, this prospective deal would include a wider range of platforms and systems besides the K9. Some of the oldest artillery systems that entered service with the Saudi Arabian Army came in 1979 according to GlobalData intelligence. Notably, Hanwha already has a footprint in the Kingdom as its government is already in the middle of acquiring the K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launch system.
“They want many things,” the spokesperson hinted, it would be “a massive deal if it comes about.”
British rejection
At present, Australia, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, India, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Türkiye have each selected the platform. The UK had also considered the K9 for its future Mobile Fires Platform. At least until the former Conservative government rejected the bid in favour of the German RCH-155 system in April last year. At the time, the supplier admitted it was “bruised” by the decision. Strangely, the UK rejected the K9A2 variant out of hand without any competitive process whatsoever. With no demonstrable comparison, the decision to select RCH-155 was out of step with the spirit of the government’s own Integrated Procurement Programme, established only two months prior, which sets checks and balances in a holistic government procurement approach from the outset of an acquisition. This has not stopped Hanwha from seeking future opportunities to bring the UK back into bed. Hanwha will “offer a better price for its [other] solutions,” assured the spokesperson. (Source: army-technology.com)
20 Feb 25. Iron Dome unsuitable as missile shield for US or Europe, officials say. Creating an Iron Dome defensive umbrella for the United States or Europe, modeled after Israel’s eponymous system, would be unsuitable against the threat of long-range missiles, according to industry executives here at the IDEX defense fair. The assessment follows plans by the Trump administration to field such a system under the Iron Dome label. The U.S. president signed an executive order to that effect last month, with the goal of thwarting ballistic, hypersonic, and advanced cruise missiles. While the idea quickly gained momentum among Republican lawmakers who introduced the Iron Dome Act on Feb. 6, it has also come under criticism by experts and industry officials who argue that deploying such a system would be unrealistic given what it was designed for.
“Iron Dome for America is a bad name for it — what about Titanium Dome?” Dave Alexander, the president of drone maker General Atomics quipped in an interview on the IDEX trade show floor.
Iron Dome was developed by the Israeli firm Rafael with Washington’s support. The majority of the components of the Tamir interceptor missiles that the Iron Dome fires are sourced through RTX’s, formerly Raytheon, U.S. supply chain.
Retired Brig. Gen. Shachar Shohat, vice president of business development in the air and missile defense division at Rafael, acknowledged that as countries have latched on to the branding of Iron Dome, there is confusion around its purpose.
“We need to differentiate between the Iron Dome, which is a short to medium-range range system — it became a brand name like Coca Cola that now everybody uses as it is highly successful,” he said in an interview with Defense News. But, Shohat added, Israel’s multilayered air-defense doctrine is about more than one system.
The Israeli weapon can neutralize threats launched from ranges between 4-70 kilometers, per the RTX website. A total of ten Iron Dome batteries are deployed in Israel, each able to protect approximately 60 square miles of territory. For perspective, the U.S. territory spans an area of 3.8 m square miles, which would theoretically require tens of thousands of Iron Domes to effectively protect the country’s population and infrastructure. In a December interview, Adm. Pierre Vandier, NATO’s top commander for transformation, similarly called the Iron Dome for Europe “unfeasible” if the goal is to intercept long-range threats. The Rafael executive said the system could nevertheless be part of multilayered defenses to protect key sites and maneuver forces. With that use case in mind, Shohat said that the company has seen “big demand” for Iron Dome specifically, including in Europe. Last year, Greek officials said they were in negotiations with Israel to develop an anti-aircraft and missile defense dome that would mimic the capabilities of the Israeli system. Meanwhile, General Atomics claims to have developed a technology for fusing early-warning sensor data over vast areas that could power a patchwork of Iron Dome-like installations. The system has already been tested and deployed in an unspecified location, Alexander said. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
21 Feb 25. Diehl Defence and EDGE Sign Partnership for UAE. On the occasion of the IDEX expo event, held at Abu Dhabi (UAE) February 17 to 21, Diehl Defence, a leading system house for ground-based air defence, guided missiles, ammunition and protection systems, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with EDGE, a unit of TRUST, one of the world’s leading advanced technology groups, covering the partnership of both companies. The MoU was signed by Omar Al Zaabi, President of Trading and Mission Support at EDGE, and Dr. Harald Buschek, Chief Program Officer of Diehl Defence, in the presence of Dr. Jasem Al Zaabi, Vice President of Business Development of EDGE, Dr. Abdulmunem Alshehhi, Chief Operations Officer of TRUST, Mrs. Katja Decker, Head of Economic Affairs of the German Embassy, and Christoph Schumann, German Defence Attaché. For Diehl Defence, a long-standing partner of the German Bundeswehr as well as armed forces of other countries, the partnership agreement will add to the market potential for Diehl Defence in the region. At the same time, the partnership between Diehl Defence and EGDE will enhance the UAE’s sovereign defence and security capabilities. In line with current industry trends and market demand, Diehl Defence is exhibiting prominently at IDEX 2025. On display are models of the IRIS-T SLM ground-based air defence system as well as guided missiles both for ground-to-air and air-to-air applications. In addition, the Diehl Defence stand at IDEX features Coastal Defence products and RSBS15 missile models, as well as ammunition, fuzes and protection systems. (Source: ASD Network)
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Galvion designs, develops, and delivers mission critical head, face, and torso protective solutions as well as intelligent power and data management systems for the world’s most demanding military and tactical teams. Founded in 2002 as Revision Military, a foundational belief in calculated investment and capability expansion led to a strategic refocus, resulting in the divestiture of the protective eyewear business, along with the Revision name, in 2019. Rebranded as Galvion, the company’s products and technology continue to evolve beyond purely passive protection, focusing instead on active systems that enhance performance and survivability, with an eye to the ever-changing demands of the modern battlefield. Through advanced design, keen end-user insight and intelligent integration, Galvion engineers uniquely customized solutions that go beyond what was once thought possible.
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