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06 Mar 25. A “Golden Dome” missile defense shield designed to detect, track and intercept incoming ballistic weapons would offer the United States the best protection possible against advanced missile threats, including electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons, explains William R. Forstchen, Ph.D., widely recognized as a leading authority on EMP technology and its potential consequences.
“The Golden Dome is our only hope against the existential threat of an EMP attack,” Forstchen said. “Every day we go without such a defense is yet another day when we are vulnerable to an EMP attack that could destroy America’s electrical and electronic infrastructure, setting our 21st-century society back to the 19th century or even earlier. Within a year, the majority of Americans would perish.”
Forstchen has provided guidance to federal, state and local governments, as well as private organizations, on the potential widespread impact of an EMP event. A sought-after speaker, Forstchen has shared his expertise at conferences across the United States, educating audiences on the critical need for preparedness.
Citing the country’s already vulnerable energy grid, Forstchen said an EMP attack would wipe out power and set off a cascade of deadly events. The first necessity people would lose is water, followed by food supply and medication. Then, disease would set in. Long-term survival, he added, would depend on being in the right place at the right time with the right food supply.
“I believe the threat of America being hit by an EMP weapon is the single greatest danger to our survival,” Forstchen said. “Electricity is the fundamental building block of our society. Everything is predicated on electrification.”
An EMP causes widespread cataclysmic damage to power grids due to what’s called the Compton effect, he explained.
“An electromagnetic pulse is the byproduct of detonating a nuclear weapon. When a nuclear weapon is detonated 200 to 250 miles above the earth, the gamma ray burst when it hits the upper atmosphere sets off the Compton effect. In essence, a giant electrostatic discharge hits the earth’s surface and wipes out electronic devices as well as entire power grids, leaving affected areas in the dark,” he said.
Forstchen has written extensively about the devastating impact of EMP strikes, beginning with his New York Times bestseller, One Second After, which offers a realistic look at a weapon and its awesome power to destroy the entire United States, literally within one second. One Second After spawned three sequels, each of which is a fictional exploration rooted in the cold, solid facts of how an EMP strike above U.S. soil would impact society.
05 Mar 25. Lockheed Martin flight tests LRASM weapon system on F-35B. The LRASM is a precision-guided anti-ship missile designed to engage a variety of surface threats. Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with the F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force (ITF), has concluded an initial flight test that incorporated the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) system onto the F-35B Lightning II aircraft. This development follows a similar integration flight test of LRASM on an F-35C in September 2024.
The LRASM is a precision-guided anti-ship missile designed to engage a variety of surface threats from a considerable distance. It operates semi-autonomously, navigating to its target and delivering a precise payload from a safe, standoff range. The missile serves as an immediate solution to the offensive anti-surface warfare air-launch capability gap. As part of the F-35’s Block 4 upgrade, the AGM-158 strike systems, which include the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile and LRASM, are being integrated for external carriage on the F-35.
This enhancement adds to the multi-role mission capabilities of the aircraft, often referred to as the quarterback of the combat force. The recent flight test marks the commencement of the F-35B AGM-158 strike systems flight sciences test programme.
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Air Dominance and Strike Weapons vice-president and general manager Jon Hill said: “Integration of the AGM-158 strike systems family delivers increased reach and lethality against heavily protected, strategic targets.”
The F-35 Lightning II is equipped with an electro-optical targeting system (EOTS), a cost-effective, high-performance system that offers precision air-to-air and air-to-surface targeting capabilities. The EOTS features a low-drag design, is integrated into the aircraft’s fuselage with a sapphire window, and connects to the jet’s central computer via a high-speed fibre-optic interface.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics F-35 program vice president and general manager Chauncey McIntosh said: “The integration of these systems further demonstrates how we continue to add the most advanced capabilities to the F-35 to ensure it will remain a dominant force, owning the skies for decades to come.”
In August of 2024, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control received a contract modification valued at $130m. This contract aims to enhance the company’s missile production capabilities, particularly for the JASSM and LRASM systems. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
05 Mar 25. India’s DRDO unveils BM-04 SRBM. India’s state-owned Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has unveiled a full-scale model of a new short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) named BM-04 at the Vigyan Vaibhav 2025 defence exhibition in the South Indian city of Hyderabad. According to a DRDO information board displayed at the exhibition, which concluded on 2 March, the BM-04 is canister launched and features a two-stage solid-fuel propulsion system.
DRDO said the BM-04 has a range of 400–1,500 km and features a conventional warhead of 500 kg. It uses satellite (GPS and Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System)-aided inertial navigation for guidance and has a claimed circular error probability (CEP) of less than 30 m.
DRDO said the missile weighs 11,500 kg, has a length of 10.2 m, and a diameter of 1.2 m. On the information board, the BM-04 is depicted in a vertical launch position at the rear of a six-axle Tatra land-based launcher vehicle.
Janes analysis of BM-04 images suggests that the SRBM is designed to a boost-glide vehicle concept, consisting of a two-stage propulsion, with a re-entry vehicle (RV) mounted on top of a large boost stage.
The RV appears to have a conical-shaped body, with a base diameter slightly less than the diameter of the booster. The BM-04 appears visually similar to the DRDO’s Agni I-class SRBM but with two-stage propulsion and smaller conventional payload. (Source: Janes)
05 Mar 25. Aselsan demonstrates Gözde precision-guidance kit. Aselsan has demonstrated its new Gözde precision-guidance kit for bombs, striking a moving target during a test announced on 5 March.
The Turkish manufacturer announced the demonstration on 27 February of the kit that it had developed in conjunction with Tübitak Defense Industries Research and Development Institute (SAGE).
“[The] Gözde guidance kit … successfully tracked and neutralised its target in motion through its integrated INS [inertial navigation system]/GNSS [global navigation satellite services]/laser seeker guidance system after being designated by an electro-optical system on the [Lockheed Martin] F-16 [Fighting Falcon launch] aircraft,” Aselsan said.
As noted in the announcement, Gözde provides the Mk 82 500 lb general purpose (GP) ‘dumb’ bomb with a precision-strike capability against both stationary and moving targets. Janes Weapons: Air-Launched says it also does the same for Mk 83 1,000 lb GP/SARB-83 penetrator bombs. Imagery of the test shows it was conducted with an inert bomb fitted with the Gözde kit.
For the Turkish Air Force, this will provide an enhanced strike capability for both the F-16 and the Baykar Bayraktar Ak?nc? armed unmanned aerial vehicle. (Source: Janes)
04 Mar 25. Adept Armor, pioneers in next-gen protective solutions, today launched Ivoryguard™: a breakthrough foam technology that defies conventional engineering limits. At just 0.068 gm/cc, it’s lighter than silica aerogel – often called “the world’s lightest solid” – yet tougher than traditional heavy-duty foams used in armor, helmet padding, and other high-impact applications.
In head-to-head tests, Ivoryguard outperformed leading materials by 20-360 percent in weight-adjusted energy absorption. Even that alone positions Ivoryguard as a major innovation in high-performance superfoams – as the lightest heavy-duty foam – but raw performance is only half the story:
* Engineered for extremes: Far less temperature-sensitive than the competition, Ivoryguard maintains performance in environments from -40°C to scorching desert heat, and is currently being investigated for use in stratospheric drones operating at -50°C in ultra-high-UVR conditions.
* Built to last: Closed-cell foam structure repels moisture and chemicals while staying odor-free.
* Outstanding engineering properties: 180 percent elongation, 2.5 MPa tensile strength, and tear resistance exceeding 45 N/cm – a combination of properties which makes for a material that’s ultra-plastic yet damage resistant.
Adept’s flagship RF1 Storm Foundation Plate now integrates Ivoryguard, shaving another 0.1 lb. off an already featherlight design (down to 2.3 lb.) while maintaining combat-proven 0.9” thickness and NIJ III/RF1 ballistic rating. The result? Military-grade protection that feels effortless to wear, with further reduced backface deformation upon impact.
While born for ballistic challenges, Ivoryguard is sparking a materials revolution:
* Aerospace: Ultra-light insulation and structural support for high-altitude drones.
* Automotive: Durable crash absorption that doesn’t compromise mileage.
* Sports: Helmets and torso protection pads that are lighter, more durable, and easier to care for.
It will become the material of choice for all those who demand protection that offers the best performance at the lowest weight, combined with extreme endurance and top-tier comfort characteristics.
“Ivoryguard closes the ‘impossible gap’ between weight, protection, and resilience,” said Jake Ganor, CEO at Adept Armor. “This isn’t just better foam; it’s a new design language for safety-critical industries.”
Adept is now offering Ivoryguard samples to qualified partners. Defense teams, engineers, and manufacturers ready to leapfrog competitors are invited to reach out.
04 Mar 25. ASELSAN made a strong impact at IDEX 2025, held in Abu Dhabi from February 17-21, by showcasing its latest smart munitions and mortar systems to the global defense industry for the first time. A key focus was ATOM 25 ABM, ASAF 155 CCF, and ASAF 155 MOFA smart munitions designed to enhance battlefield precision and multi-target strike capabilities, particularly against UAVs and other evolving threats. Additionally, ASELSAN introduced its ALKAR 100/81 and ALKAR 110/81 mortar systems, both of which offer precision-guided firepower tailored for modern combat scenarios. ATOM 25 ABM is a precision airburst munition, engineered to deliver high first-hit success against UAVs. Its programmable detonation and kinetic warhead provide unmatched impact, even in electronic warfare environments, ensuring optimal performance in the most challenging conditions. Similarly to ATOM 25 ABM, ASAF 155 CCF smart munition significantly enhances artillery accuracy by using course correction and air brakes to ensure first-round hits, even under tough operational circumstances. ASAF 155 MOFA adds versatility with its multi-option fuse, enabling precise fire in a range of tactical situations, from proximity to time-programming.
Also featured at IDEX were ALKAR 100/81 and ALKAR 110/81 mortar systems, which integrate automated fire control and GPS-guided targeting to dramatically improve accuracy and reduce personnel requirements. With their ability to rapidly deploy and perform “shoot and scoot” tactics, these systems offer the flexibility and speed required for modern, fast-paced battlefields.
ASELSAN’s commitment to advancing defense technologies is clearly reflected in its smart munitions and mortar systems, which combine precision, adaptability, and operational flexibility. By introducing these groundbreaking systems at IDEX 2025 to global audiences, ASELSAN reinforced its position as a global leader, setting the standard for next-generation military solutions that meet the evolving demands of both land and air defense. (Source: Defense Arabia)
03 Mar 25. Denmark picks Nammo to restart ammo production at shuttered plant. Denmark picked Norwegian ammunition maker Nammo to restart a shuttered ammo plant for production of small- and large-caliber ammunition, the country’s defense ministry said.
Nammo can begin producing ammunition for the Danish forces and others at the shuttered plant in northern Denmark as soon as the production facilities are set up, Denmark’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Friday. Final negotiations with Nammo are still pending, including a timetable on when actual ammunition production will start. The deteriorating security situation, the war in Ukraine and an updated threat assessment by the Danish Defense Intelligence Service “emphasize the importance of ensuring future ammunition production in Denmark,” Defence Minister Troels Lund Poelsen said. “This will make a difference to the security of supply for Denmark, the Nordic region and Europe.”
However, ammunition stocks are needed now, and Denmark plans to rapidly build up its stock of mortar and artillery shells even before production can start at Elling, partly to match an assessment of Russia’s potential build-up of combat power, the ministry said.
Lund Poelsen said it’s crucial to start building up the Danish Armed Forces’ ammunition stockpiles as soon as possible, and he will decide on action in the short term “together with the parties.”
The Danish government last month agreed to allocate an additional 50bn Danish kroner ($7bn) to defense over the coming two years, boosting defense spending to more than 3% of GDP in 2025 and 2026.
Denmark agreed to buy the shuttered facilities at Elling in northern Jutland in October 2023, with the stated aim of exploring options for establishing domestic ammunition production. The country had sold the ammunition production activities to Expal in 2008, and the company ceased production at the site in 2020 after several years of losses.
The ammunition plant at Elling traces its roots back to the Fyrværkerikompagniet set up in Copenhagen in 1676.
Nammo will produce 155 mm and 120 mm shells at the Elling plant, as well as 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm caliber cartridges, the ministry said. All four are NATO standard calibers.
“Nammo has what it takes to become a long-term and solid partner for Denmark, with deep industrial and technical expertise, established supply chains, and solid Norwegian-Finnish ownership to bolster lasting Nordic cooperation,” Nammo CEO Morten Brandtzæg said in a statement. “We look forward to finalizing an agreement to get production started.”
The Norwegian company says it’s working on improving ammunition interchangeability in the Nordic region, and that will improve with new production in Denmark.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 exposed European shortcomings in ammunition manufacturing, with facilities shuttered or scaled down due to lack of demand after the end of the Cold War. Ukraine has at times faced artillery shell shortages as its allies depleted stocks and struggled to ramp up production, though the European Union now expects to produce 2 m shells by the end of 2025, double the pace from a year ago.
Nammo is jointly owned by the Norwegian state and Finland’s Patria, with the latter owned for 50.1% by the Finnish state and the remainder held by Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. Kongsberg in turn is 50.1% owned by the Norwegian state. (Source: Defense News)
03 Mar 25. KNDS-France Unveils Land-Deployable Short-Range Air Defense Concept with 40mm Rapidfire gun. KNDS-France, a leading defense company, has introduced an innovative concept for land-based short-range air defense, designed to protect military bases and critical infrastructure from emerging airborne threats. This cutting-edge system features an 8×8 Tatra truck chassis integrated with a deployable shelter, housing the powerful 40mm Rapidfire anti-aircraft gun system. The highly mobile platform is engineered to deliver fast, adaptable air defense capabilities, making it a strong contender in the battle against modern aerial threats, including drones and loitering munitions. A scale model of the new air defense system was displayed during IDEX 2025, an international defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The decision to integrate the 40mm Rapidfire anti-aircraft system onto a deployable shelter mounted on the 8×8 Tatra truck chassis is a significant advancement in modern air defense capabilities. This mobile and flexible approach offers multiple strategic advantages, particularly in the context of rapidly evolving warfare and the growing threat from small, agile, and low-flying aerial targets such as drones and loitering munitions.
By placing the Rapidfire 40mm system on a deployable shelter, KNDS-France has created a solution that combines mobility with the speed of rapid deployment, ensuring air defense can be provided wherever it is needed most. The system can be quickly repositioned to protect high-value assets, military bases, and convoys, offering critical flexibility in dynamic, hostile environments. The deployable shelter also ensures the system can be protected and operational in minutes, minimizing setup times and maximizing readiness.
This deployable shelter concept not only enhances operational efficiency but also provides a practical solution for forces operating in challenging terrains where traditional, larger air defense systems may not be easily deployable. The shelter’s compact nature, combined with the robust chassis of the Tatra 8×8, allows for protection in diverse environments, ranging from urban areas to remote battlefield locations. This combination of mobility, rapid deployment, and effective protection makes the 40mm Rapidfire on a deployable shelter an invaluable asset in modern defense operations.
At the core of this new air defense solution is the 40mm Rapidfire gun system. Mounted on the durable 8×8 Tatra truck chassis, the system offers a high degree of mobility, allowing it to operate across different terrains, whether on or off-road. This mobility ensures that the system can be quickly relocated and deployed wherever air defense is needed, providing a strategic advantage in protecting assets in a variety of operational environments. Once the system reaches its designated location, the shelter can be deployed, housing the 40mm Rapidfire gun system. The weapon is designed for rapid engagement of airborne threats, including conventional aircraft, missiles, and more modern, smaller threats such as drones and loitering munitions. These modern threats have become increasingly difficult to intercept with traditional systems due to their small size, speed, and unpredictable flight paths.
The 40mm Rapidfire system utilizes advanced sensors and fire control systems that allow it to track and engage fast-moving targets effectively. The weapon’s high rate of fire ensures it can engage multiple threats at once, making it particularly effective against swarms of small drones or fast-moving munitions. The system’s ability to quickly engage and neutralize a variety of aerial threats in a short amount of time makes it a critical asset for modern military forces that face an evolving range of air threats. The mobility of the Tatra 8×8 truck chassis adds to the system’s versatility, as it can be easily moved to different locations, ensuring that air defense can be provided wherever it is needed most.
A key feature of the 40mm Rapidfire system is its use of 40mm airburst ammunition, a specialized type of ammunition designed to counter emerging threats such as drones and loitering munitions effectively. Unlike traditional projectiles, airburst ammunition detonates in mid-air at a predetermined distance from the target, releasing a burst of shrapnel to destroy or disable the target. This makes it highly effective against smaller, faster, and more maneuverable threats, such as drones, which are often too small to be effectively intercepted by conventional weapons. The ability to create a lethal radius around a target, even if the projectile does not hit it directly, ensures that the threat can be neutralized before it reaches its intended target.
The 40mm airburst ammunition is particularly valuable when engaging low-flying, small targets that are often hard to intercept with traditional air defense systems. Drones and loitering munitions typically fly at low altitudes and high speeds, which makes them challenging to intercept using conventional weaponry. However, with airburst rounds, the 40mm Rapidfire system can detonate the rounds at the optimal moment, creating a “kill zone” around the target. This ensures that the system can neutralize a variety of aerial threats, including both individual drones and swarms, before they can cause harm.
The versatility of 40mm airburst ammunition extends beyond drones and loitering munitions. It is also effective against other low-flying airborne threats, such as missiles or aircraft flying at lower altitudes. The system’s ability to deliver rapid, sustained fire against these targets ensures that it can effectively address a wide range of airborne threats, from small UAVs to larger conventional aircraft. This makes the 40mm Rapidfire system a highly adaptable solution for air defense, as it can handle a variety of scenarios that modern forces face on the battlefield.
The 40mm Rapidfire system also provides a cost-effective solution to modern air defense needs. The proliferation of small, cheap drones and loitering munitions has changed the nature of air defense, as traditional, larger, and more expensive systems may not be as effective or economical against these types of threats. The 40mm Rapidfire system offers a more affordable and efficient means of defending against such low-cost aerial threats, while still delivering high-performance capabilities. Its ability to rapidly engage and neutralize multiple targets makes it an essential tool for protecting military assets in environments where traditional defense systems may struggle.
The 40mm Rapidfire system faces competition from other advanced air defense solutions, such as the Skynex system developed by Germany’s Rheinmetall. Like the 40mm Rapidfire, the Skynex system is designed to counter low-altitude threats like drones and loitering munitions using radar and sensor-guided technologies. However, the 40mm Rapidfire system differentiates itself by combining the flexibility of a mobile platform with the precise, high rate of fire offered by the 40mm gun. The use of 40mm airburst ammunition also provides a distinct advantage, especially in environments where multiple small, fast-moving threats need to be neutralized quickly.
The introduction of this mobile 40mm Rapidfire system is particularly timely, as the use of drones and loitering munitions in modern warfare has been on the rise. These smaller, agile, and inexpensive threats have posed significant challenges for traditional air defense systems, making them less effective in dealing with the evolving aerial landscape. The 40mm airburst ammunition and the system’s rapid-deployment features offer an effective, low-cost solution for countering these new threats, ensuring that military forces can protect their assets without relying on more expensive, complex systems.
With the increasing use of drones and loitering munitions on the modern battlefield, systems like the 40mm Rapidfire will play a crucial role in air defense. The combination of mobility, rapid deployment, and airburst ammunition ensures that this system is well-suited to counter the evolving threats posed by smaller, faster, and more maneuverable aerial objects. As the nature of warfare continues to change, the 40mm Rapidfire system will remain a key asset in securing airspace and defending military personnel and infrastructure from emerging threats.
Integrating the Rapidfire 40mm system onto a deployable shelter represents a crucial step forward in developing flexible, quick-response air defense systems. It offers a powerful and cost-effective solution to meet the challenges posed by modern aerial threats while ensuring that military forces are always ready to respond, wherever and whenever the need arises. (Source: Google/https://armyrecognition.com/)
03 Mar 25.T Taiwan progresses air-launched version of HF-III anti-ship missile. Taiwan is making progress on the development of an air-launched version of its Hsiung Feng III (HF-III or HF-3) medium-range supersonic anti-ship missile.
In February 2025 a photograph emerged on Taiwanese social media showing an Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) armed with the air-launched variant of the missile. According to the state-owned Central News Agency (CNA), the F-CK-1 conducted an exercise with the new missile. However, it is unclear if the missile was used in a live-fire test. Under development by Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), the air-launched missile is an offshoot of the HF-III surface-launched missile. The HF-III surface-launched missile is similar to ramjet-powered weapons such as the Russian Kh-31 (YJ-91) anti-ship weapon. However, Janes assesses that the air-launched HF-III missile is smaller than the surface-launched missile, allowing it to be mounted in underwing hardpoints. Other key design changes include the omission of the two extra rocket boosters found on the surface-launched variant. This makes the air-launched missile lighter and shorter. With four tailfins, the tail assembly of the air-launched version is also visually different. In the reference image, the missile body also contained a number, which appears to be XX-062. It also has a positioning symbol associated with testing. The air-launched missile is powered by a solid-propellent booster motor, housed within the ramjet expansion duct, and a liquid-fuelled ramjet sustainer motor. (Source: Janes)
03 Mar 25. US Releases First Video of Secretive ‘Flying Ginsu’ Missile in Action. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has released the first video of the AGM-114R9X Hellfire missile, also known as the “Flying Ginsu.” This top-secret variant is built for precise hits with as little collateral damage as possible. The footage, published on Saturday, documents a February 23 airstrike in northwestern Syria that targeted and killed Muhammed Yusuf Ziya Talay, a senior military leader in the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group Hurras al-Din.
Unlike traditional Hellfire missiles, the R9X does not carry an explosive warhead. Instead, it deploys six sword-like blades just before impact, allowing it to eliminate a specific target without causing a large explosion or significant destruction to the surrounding area.
The video shows a vehicle moving along a road in Idlib province before being struck. Instead of an explosion, a cruciform glow appears at the point of impact, and the vehicle slows down before coming to a stop.
Evidence of the use of the Flying Ginsu was limited to damage assessments and missile fragments recovered from the site, which displayed the AGM-114R9X model number.
General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command said the recent CENTCOM strike is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist activities and protect the U.S., its allies, and regional partners.
“As we have said in the past, we will continue to relentlessly pursue these terrorists in order to defend our homeland, and U.S., allied, and partner personnel in the region,” said Kurilla.
Hurras al-Din was established in 2018 and was designated a terrorist organization by the United States in 2019. Despite the group’s announcement last month that it would dissolve in accordance with directives from al-Qaeda leadership, U.S. officials assert that remnants of the group still pose a significant threat. The U.S. has carried out several airstrikes against the group in recent weeks. An airstrike carried out on February 15 targeted and killed a senior finance and logistics official from the group. It followed another targeted strike on January 30, which killed Muhammad Salah al-Za’bir, a high-ranking member of Hurras al-Din. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)
03 Mar 25. Babcock delivers next-gen counter explosive utility robots to ADF. Babcock Australasia has completed the delivery of a $16m fleet of Squad Packable Utility Robots designed to enhance the counter explosive capability of the ADF personnel, ready for immediate deployment with the ADF. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is set to bolster its operational capabilities with the deployment of Squad Packable Utility Robots (SPUR) remote positioning vehicles – light (RPV-L) across tri-service applications. These state-of-the-art robots will play a crucial role in search, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, helping to counter the threat of improvised explosive devices and enhance soldier protection in combat zones. Babcock has spearheaded the procurement and customisation of the explosive ordnance disposal and ISR robots, working closely with Australian and veteran-owned supply chain partner, EPE Trusted to Protect. This collaboration ensures the shipment meets ADF specifications, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to cutting-edge defence technology.
EPE, a specialist in force protection and counter-threat solutions, has a long-standing partnership with QinetiQ, the manufacturer of the SPUR. The procurement was delivered on schedule following comprehensive inspection and acceptance testing.
Babcock Australasia CEO Andrew Cridland congratulated the industry team for their delivery of this critical capability to the ADF, saying, “Much of Babcock’s success is driven by the strength of our supply chain partnerships. Nationwide, we engage some 2,000 domestic suppliers to provide goods and services across our defence and aviation contracts, creating a resilient industry base that is building sovereign capability each and every day.”
EPE Group CEO Warwick Penrose echoed the sentiment of Cridland, saying, “The partnership between EPE and Babcock creates a powerful synergy. Babcock’s leading asset management systems optimise the processes for acquisition and sustainment, while EPE brings expertise in the specialist Counter-CBRNE domain. The partnership has built sustainable sovereign capability here in Australia to test, acquire, train, maintain and sustain these important capabilities that protect our Defence personnel. The outcome of this collaboration is reduced risk to the Commonwealth.”
Weighing just 13 kilograms, the SPUR is a compact, highly mobile system that can be quickly deployed from a backpack. Equipped with a high-performance manipulator arm, advanced imaging capabilities and exceptional manoeuvrability in challenging terrain, the robot is designed for diverse operational environments.
“These robots significantly enhance situational awareness, acting as a critical line of defence for Australian soldiers in high-threat environments. The successful acquisition and delivery of the SPUR forms part of Babcock’s comprehensive C-CBRNE asset management services under its prime vendor agreement with the ADF,” Cridland added.(Source: Defence Connect)
28 Feb 25. Meteor flies on F-35 for first time. A US Marine Corps F-35 carries an inert Meteor BVRAAM in one of its two internal weapons bays during tests that will eventually see the missile integrated on Italian and UK aircraft. (US DoD)
The MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) has for the first time been flown aboard the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft.
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) announced the event on 28 February, saying that a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL)-variant F-35B belonging to the US Marine Corps (USMC) had carried an inert missile in tests flown out of Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River in Maryland.
As noted in the announcement, the tests involved both the UK and US governments, as well as the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), and industrial partners MBDA and Lockheed Martin.
The Meteor BVRAAM has been described by industry and military officials as providing a step change in air-to-air combat capabilities. With a speed of more than Mach 4 and a range in excess of 100 km, the Meteor is powered by a ramjet, which means it is propelled up to the point of impact, whereas similar-type missiles have a relatively short boost-phase after launch, following which they glide to the target while bleeding energy.
“Meteor is the UK’s primary air-to-air missile and is carried on operations by [the Eurofighter] Typhoon, with this step being progress towards enabling Meteor’s capability on F-35. While the UK is leading the integration campaign for F-35B, Italy is sponsoring integration onto the F-35A model, allowing both aircraft types to take advantage of Meteor’s inclusion,” the RAF said. (Source: Janes)
28 Feb 25. Brazil plans to develop new naval missiles. The Brazilian Navy and local missiles manufacturer SIATT – Engenharia, Indústria e Comércio have signed a technology development agreement to jointly develop air-launched and surface-to-air anti-ship missiles, the company said in a release after the agreement was signed on 20 February. The agreement between the Navy Weapons Systems Directorate (DSAM) and SIATT aims to define the operational concept of the two missile types, SIATT said.
Development of the air-launched missile variant known as MANAER (Míssil Antinavio Aéreo) was previously planned as part of the ‘Esporão Programme’ run by the DSAM. However, the development of a surface-to-air missile is a new effort.
The two missiles will be based on the technology used on the MANSUP (Míssil Antinavio Nacional de Superfície) multi-purpose surface-to-surface anti-ship missile, SIATT said.
Development of the MANSUP anti-ship missile by SIATT and the Brazilian Navy is scheduled to be completed in 2025, the latter told Janes. After the development of MANSUP is complete, a pilot tranche of the missile will be acquired, the navy said.
The MANSUP will arm the four Tamandaré-class frigates scheduled to be commissioned by Brazil during 2025–29. Edge Group, SIATT, and the Brazilian Navy are also completing the development of the MANSUP-ER (Extended Range), a long-range variant of the MANSUP weapon. The naval air-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles could potentially arm AH-15B Super Cougar helicopters and Tamandaré-class frigates of Brazil, and be offered for export, a source told Janes. (Source: Janes)
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About Galvion:
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.
Privately owned with ISO 9001:2015 certified facilities in Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the US, Montreal in Canada and Bristol in the UK, Galvion’s team of 400+ employees work proactively to solve the problems left unsolved by others.
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