Sponsored by Galvion
www.galvion.com
01 May 25. Galvion introduces CORTEX™ smart head system integration platform at SOF Week 2025 Galvion, a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative head systems, power and data management solutions, and integrated soldier systems, is launching their CORTEX™ product category at SOF Week 2025. CORTEX is Galvion’s new category of advanced, intelligent headborne systems that deliver processing, power management and data connectivity, driving next-level Warfighter effectiveness on a digitally enabled battlefield. Combining Galvion’s expertise in hardware and software development and highlighting a foundational commitment to human-centered innovation, CORTEX systems feature intuitive design, intelligent integration and mission-adaptable configurations. Designed to unify power, data and processing in a modular ecosystem, CORTEX enables real-time decision making at the edge, while maintaining compatibility with existing tactical gear and workflows.
The CORTEX system on display at Galvion’s booth (#349) at SOF Week is integrated onto Galvion’s flagship Caiman® helmet and features a powerful compute module with internal battery and purpose-built android-based operating system; integrated accessory network for power & data; multiple system communication protocol options (USB, ISW, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi); optional battery module for untethered operations; sensor and emitter pod with open-source architecture for third party integration; low-profile auto-detecting VAS connection for HUDs and NVGs with softwareenabled AR; built-in 4-key controller for tactile on-board navigation; as well as additional optional, adaptable capabilities. Using Galvion’s CORTEX system and proprietary AlertCentr™ application, the Warfighter can view critical ATAK data and operate key ATAK functions with a quick button press, eliminating the need to open the EUD, and enabling new levels of situational awareness. CORTEX components are one-size fits all, with adjustable hardware to fit the full helmet size range and is available for Galvion’s Caiman® and Hellbender™ platforms, as well as select non-Galvion helmet systems. The demonstrated CORTEX system has been developed over multiple years with input and collaboration from Tier 1 customers. Customized versions of Galvion’s integrated systems featuring specifically tailored software and hardware integrations have been delivered to and trialled by undisclosed global customers. Todd Stirtzinger, CEO at Galvion said: “We have collaborated with some of the world’s most elite teams to imagine the future of integrated head systems, and the launch of the CORTEX category marks an exciting milestone in our product and technology evolution. Galvion has been deconstructing and re-designing integrated headborne systems since we entered the market, and the CORTEX system that we are demonstrating here is really just the beginning.” Stirtzinger added: “This shift from passive protection to next-generation survivable and lethal systems is a step change in capability and digital integration and requires new tools and fast learning. This is precisely why we invested millions of dollars in building our state-of-the-art Warfighter Lab, and it plays a huge part in helping us make the best design decisions for this new category of intelligent, integrated systems. SOF Week is a fantastic opportunity for us to introduce CORTEX to a wider audience and demonstrate how the Warfighter Lab supports these human-machine interface developments.”
01 May 25. Australian Army’s long-range fires brigade hits its stride ahead of Talisman Sabre 2025. The Australian Army’s transformation under the National Defence Strategy is gaining momentum, with the 10th Brigade now spearheading the development of long-range strike and littoral manoeuvre capabilities. These developments are critical elements articulated in the government’s 2023 Defence Strategic Review and the supporting 2024 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program in bolstering Australia’s defence posture amid growing strategic challenges across the Indo-Pacific. Based at the Edinburgh Defence Precinct in South Australia, the 10th Brigade has rapidly matured into a cutting-edge formation capable of striking land and maritime targets at ranges exceeding 500 kilometres. It represents a significant shift in the Army’s role within the broader Australian Defence Force (ADF), reinforcing the government’s push towards an integrated and technologically advanced military force. Equipped with the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), the 10th Brigade brings together short-range, ground-based air defence long-range precision strike and specialist targeting effects under a single command structure.
Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, Chief of Army, said the brigade reflects the pace and purpose of Army’s contribution to national defence, “The Army is delivering relevant and credible land power, at speed, in support of the National Defence Strategy. We will demonstrate just how far this transformation has come at Talisman Sabre in July.”
The 10th Brigade includes the 9th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery; the 16th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery; the newly-formed 54th Battery (as part of the future 14th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery); and a theatre civil-military cooperation element. This diverse composition allows the formation to deliver multi-domain effects with speed, scale and flexibility.
LTGEN Stuart added, “I am incredibly proud of the work our soldiers do every day in the service of our nation.”
Brigadier Nick Wilson, Commander of the 10th Brigade, highlighted the significance of the brigade’s location and mission, saying, “The Australian Army is committed to South Australia and basing the 10th Brigade here is a significant investment in the local community.”
Australia’s increasing emphasis on long-range fires follows key recommendations from the 2023 Defence Strategic Review, which identified the need for a more agile, lethal and self-reliant force capable of deterring threats at greater distances. The 10th Brigade’s development is central to this transformation, ensuring Army can project power in the region, particularly in littoral and archipelagic environments.
“During my 30 years’ service, I have never personally seen a capability roll out this quickly, with the receipt of our first HIMARS launchers marking our Army’s ability to conduct ground-based long-range fires,” BRIG Wilson said.
The brigade is already working closely with allies and partners, having participated in Project Convergence – a major multinational experimentation and integration exercise in the United States – and is now leading a new technology-sharing hub to fast-track innovation across domains. Next on the brigade’s agenda is participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, where it will showcase its capabilities in live-fire trials of the Precision Strike Missile, one of the ADF’s most anticipated next-generation systems.
BRIG Wilson added, “As the commander, it’s a privilege to lead the brigade. We are incredibly well-resourced and supported by wider Army, and our joint and coalition partners. It is a great time to be a soldier; I’m very proud of our team and the colour-patch they wear.”
As strategic competition continues to shape the Indo-Pacific, the rapid development and deployment of the 10th Brigade marks a decisive step in Australia’s preparation for an increasingly complex and contested regional environment. (Source: Defence Connect)
01 May 25. Rafael, General Atomics-EMS to partner in support of Aussie GWEO program. Australia’s long-range strike capabilities are set to take a major leap forward through a new joint venture between General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, aimed at fast-tracking delivery of the next-generation Bullseye precision missile. Announced under a memorandum of understanding, the partnership will support the Australian Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise and deepen trilateral industrial cooperation under the AUKUS framework. The initiative will accelerate the rollout of a mature, long-range missile system capable of being operational in as little as two years – not the usual seven or more. The Bullseye missile is a modular, multi-domain, deep-strike weapon with proven performance. With a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 8, it is scheduled for flight qualification and initial deliveries starting in late 2025. It will be built in the United States and offered to both US forces and trusted partners like the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
“This joint venture shows how key strategic allies like the United States are already benefiting from Rafael’s battle-proven missile expertise – and now, through this partnership, Australia can too,” said Golan Ben Giat, managing director of Rafael Australia. “Bullseye delivers what the ADF needs – long-range, high-precision munitions at scale in years, not decades. We are proud to bring real capability, real scale and real speed to the table.”
The collaboration combines Rafael’s extensive experience with guided missile systems – including combat-proven technologies like SPIKE and Iron Dome – with GA-EMS’ high-volume missile manufacturing capabilities at its US-based centre of excellence in Tupelo, Mississippi. In 2023, Rafael marked a significant milestone in its Australian operations with the signing of a major contract to supply the SPIKE LR2 missile system under Project LAND 400 Phase 2. That agreement was the first guided weapons acquisition under the leadership of Air Marshal Leon Phillips, inaugural chief of the GWEO Group. The SPIKE LR2, now in service with more than 40 militaries worldwide, is already integrated into Australia’s modernised land combat capability. Rafael’s growing presence and performance in Australia further supports the country’s ambitions to develop a sovereign guided weapons industry at speed and scale. The Bullseye program directly aligns with the 2024 GWEO Plan, a whole-of-government strategy to bolster Australia’s defence readiness and industrial resilience in the face of growing strategic uncertainty. The missile’s design supports rapid integration across air, land and sea platforms, offering a flexible and scalable option for multi-domain strike operations.
“This partnership reflects our steadfast commitment to advancing trans-Atlantic security and delivering proven, cutting-edge capabilities to allies like Australia,” said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “By combining Rafael’s missile expertise with GA-EMS’ advanced manufacturing infrastructure, Bullseye offers an operational capability at speed and scale – strengthening the defence industries of all AUKUS nations.”
The joint venture is also exploring local industrial participation in Australia, including opportunities for assembly, testing and integration through local defence companies. These efforts support key goals of the GWEO Enterprise to reduce reliance on overseas supply chains and grow sovereign capabilities in manufacturing and sustainment.
“Bullseye offers a practical, near-term solution to the challenges of deterrence and strike mass in a contested Indo-Pacific,” Rafael and GA-EMS said in a joint statement. “It’s a system that delivers the accuracy, range and adaptability needed to protect Australia’s national interests.”
The announcement comes amid intensified cooperation between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom on advanced defence technologies under AUKUS Pillar II, which focuses on areas like hypersonics, quantum, cyber and precision strike. At AUSMIN 2023, the United States reaffirmed its commitment to fast-tracking access to sensitive defence technology and intellectual property for trusted allies like Australia. Programs like Bullseye offer a clear pathway to turn that commitment into practical, deployable capability. As Australia works to build a more self-reliant and technologically advanced force, the Bullseye missile joint venture stands out as a flagship example of what strategic collaboration can deliver – real capability, local opportunity and deterrence at speed. (Source: Defence Connect)
02 May 25. China shows off amphibious Type-05 ATGM carrier. Based on the tracked Norinco Type 05 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) chassis, the unnamed vehicle featured a missile launcher carrying a pair of four-cell containers, which are presumably equipped with the HJ-10 or HJ-13 ATGM typically associated with this particular launcher type. The Type 05 family of tracked amphibious vehicles, which comprise the ZBD-05 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) armed with the ZPT-99 30mm autocannon and HJ-73B anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), the ZTD-05 assault vehicle armed with a 105mm low recoil gun, and complemented by armoured command and control (C2) and recovery vehicle variants. The type intended to be deployed at sea and swim under its own power to contested landing sites at speeds of up to 16 knots (30km/h), with the IFV variant delivering up to eight fully equipped People’s Liberation Army Marine Corps (PLAMC) dismounts under armour protection and providing supporting fires following disembarkation. Ship-to-shore operations is supported by the ZTD-05 assault vehicle, which shares the same hull as the IFV variant but is instead equipped with a 105mm low recoil rifled gun. According to official specifications, the ZTD-05 is claimed to be capable of employing its main armament against stationary targets while swimming in conditions of up to Sea State 4. Armour piercing and high-explosive ordnance enables the vehicle to engage armoured vehicles and fortifications. It is likely that gun and ATGM-equipped Type-05 vehicles will be used to target higher-value threats protecting landing sites, particularly armoured fighting vehicles and coastal artillery systems. Once a beachhead is secured, PLAMC units would seek to establish an anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) bubble in anticipation of follow-on forces, deploying anti-ship and air defence assets in addition to their organic armour and artillery capabilities to stymie any intervention by defending forces or their reinforcements. (Source: AMR)
01 May 25. DTC, a Codan Company, and global leader in connecting customers wherever they are, and when it matters most, today announced an exclusive partnership with Cuattro, a global leader in advanced digital radiography systems. Together they will deliver novel, secure, long-range, wireless imaging solutions purpose-built for tactical, defense, and homeland security missions. The combined SafeSignal™ solution is the first of its kind and will debut at SOF Week 2025, May 5-8 in Tampa, Fla. Under the agreement, DTC’s cutting-edge technology will power Cuattro’s SafeSignalTM enhanced Max, EOD, Tactical and Micro x-ray systems to meet the latest challenges in explosive ordinance disposal, battlefield tactical and medical, law enforcement and counterterrorism missions. Currently deployed digital x-rays do not meet today’s mission standards for drone deployment, electronic warfare, close quarter battles, urban and tunnel operations, and long-range communications in contested airspace. With the introduction of SafeSignal, DTC and Cuattro are addressing the most critical gap in field imaging—secure, instant, reliable wireless communications and control over great distances, through obstructions and contested frequency spectrums. The new Cuattro x-ray systems with SafeSignal meets the challenges of modern conflict by replacing consumer grade Wi-Fi and Bluetooth backbones found in all prior generation wireless x-ray systems.
“SafeSignal enables teams to now reliably use x-ray to identify and see through explosives devices placed in and around tunnels, buildings and contested frequency theaters—all wirelessly, with virtually no latency, from safe distances of more than .5 miles,” said Collin Wilson, Chief Operating Officer at Cuattro. “Gone are the dangerous days of failed exposures, insufficient resolution, lethal-to-operator premature detonations caused by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and radiation signals, or the need to carry hundreds of feet of cable to capture an x-ray. With DTC’s help, our exclusive SafeSignal and single-pulse automatic exposure detection (AED+TM), Cuattro’s 2025 series of x-ray solutions get the job done the first time, safely, quickly, and with much higher quality.”
“Combining Cuattro’s innovative hardware with DTC’s world-class mesh communications enables a new generation of wireless tactical imaging,” said Paul Sangster, President of DTC: A Codan Company. “We are proud to partner on this groundbreaking SafeSignal solution, giving our men and women in uniform the advantage of speed and situational awareness, when and where it matters most.”
The Cuattro and DTC solution is currently being demonstrated to select U.S. and allied military customers in preparation for full production launch. Both companies will showcase the integrated platform both at SOF Week 2025 in the DTC booth (#1012) and at the SOMA Scientific Assembly 2025 in the Cuattro booth (#1001).
01 May 25. Calling the Golden Dome missile defense shield an “insurance policy” to protect the United States from an enemy attack, William R. Forstchen, Ph.D., is advocating for widespread national support to move the project from concept to reality.
“Israel has an effective tactical defense system known as the Iron Dome, which shoots down missiles in the final seconds before impact,” Forstchen explained. “A Golden Dome, by comparison, is a strategic defense system that would neutralize ballistic missiles in space before they get near the U.S. It’s a no-brainer to me. We need a strategic defense system.”
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. One Second After is being adapted into an MPI Original Film (Motherland, Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game) in association with Startling Inc. (Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon). The feature film is penned by legendary sci-fi screenwriter J. Michael Straczynski (Changeling, Sense8, Jeremiah, Babylon 5), with Forstchen serving as an executive producer.
24 Apr 25. Hanwha Developing Truck Howitzers. Hanwha’s cutting-edge Mack Mobile Howitzer, showcasing advanced artillery technology for modern defense. Hanwha Defence is applying its self-propelled artillery experience of its K-9 Thunder to the development of truck-mounted howitzers. These company-funded initiatives are in response to the increasing interest in wheeled self-propelled howitzers. These have gained attention as an alternative to towed howitzers, providing better ground mobility without the heavier weight and maintenance requirements associated with traditional tracked self-propelled guns. Hanwha’s representative shared that the company approach utilizes a fully enclosed turret on the rear bed of various existing tactical trucks. The turret design incorporates elements of the current in-production and fielded K-9 Thunder, thus offering the proven state-of-the-art artillery system capabilities. This has been successfully fielded with the K-9 and incorporated onto an existing in-production tactical truck. The Hanwha design provides a wheeled artillery solution with proven high levels of performance while minimizing development risk. The company initially displayed a model of its concept at the Defence Quality Comprehensive Symposium in Changwon, Korea, in mid-2024. It featured the 8 x 8 K239L tactical truck, which is also employed as the carrier for the Hanwha KTSSM multiple launch missile system. The vehicle is based on a Doosan DST (now Hanwha Defence) truck, with an armored cab providing small arms and artillery shrapnel protection for the crew. In this role, the vehicle is also equipped with GPS navigation and positioning as well as stabilizing outriggers. An adapted turret design is integrated onto the chassis. This turret incorporates the fire controls, fully automatic loading system, and other features found in the latest version of the K9A2. The howitzer mounted is the CN98 155mm/52 caliber cannon currently used in the K9s; however, Hanwha has suggested it could incorporate a longer fifty-eight caliber barrel. This longer barrel would increase the range beyond the current fifty-two caliber’s 40 km, with up to 70 km possible. The wheeled turret retains the innovative three-compartment ammunition storage, which separates projectiles in the outermost sections and propellant charges in the center. This fully automated loading system allows the system to be remotely operated by the three-person crew from the cab. It has an onboard ammunition capacity of thirty projectiles and 192 charges. This facilitates automated loading and permits an increased rate of fire of 9 to 10 rounds per minute, as well as doubling the sustained rate of fire to 4 to 6 rounds per minute.
Hanwha Defence’s international business approach has been to form cooperation with local firms and establish domestic content, as it has successfully done in Australia and Poland. Targeting the U.S. Army’s artillery improvement effort, the company has actively presented its advances and capabilities. Among these are its consideration of truck artillery under its Next Generation Howitzer (NGH) program. To position itself on this program, Hanwha has formed a collaboration with Mack Defense to integrate the same K9A2-based 155mm turret system onto a Mack tactical truck chassis. Shown for the first time as a model at the AUSA Exhibition, the configuration reflects an 8 x 8 design with three rear axles positioned with the turret above. The “Mobile Howitzer” turret is unmanned and features four remote-controlled outriggers for maximum firing stability. The design is specifically optimized to meet U.S. Army requirements. The application of Hanwha’s self-propelled artillery experience, innovation, and success to the mobile wheeled howitzer will allow it to offer advanced capabilities in response to potential international customer requirements for such systems and effectively compete in this growing military marketplace. (Source: Armada)
30 Apr 25. French Navy rams explosive drone boat into cargo vessel in live test. France detonated a naval explosive drone against a decommissioned cargo vessel at sea, the latest in a string of live-fire experiments as the French Navy seeks to prepare its ships and crews for high-intensity combat in what the government here calls an increasingly unstable international context. The test explosion on April 26 will allow to France to perfect remotely-operated naval munition systems, including their guidance and pyrotechnics, the Armed Forces Ministry said in an emailed statement. The weaponized unmanned surface vehicle (USV) was deployed by a Navy offshore patrol vessel off the coast of Toulon, the home of France’s main naval base.
“The aim of the experiment was to confirm the French Navy’s ability to deploy a remotely-operated naval munition from the sea,” the ministry said. “Given the tougher international context, it now seems appropriate for the French Navy to carry out such experimental campaigns at sea.”
USVs packed with explosives have helped Ukraine keep Russia at bay in the Black Sea, with Ukrainian forces using the drones to sink several Russian ships. Militaries around the world have taken note, with Florida-based Maritime Tactical Systems last year unveiling a one-way mission naval drone for the U.S. Navy.
In the recent French trial, the target hull was depolluted and stripped of fuels and fluids, the ministry said. The impact zone on the target vessel was protected with metal plates and tires to function as a shield and limit the risk of sinking, though a video of the test blast published by the Navy on X suggested the USV may have missed the metal plates. The naval-drone test follows a live torpedo firing in December, with a French Navy nuclear attack submarine firing a F21 heavy torpedo against the decommissioned aviso Premier-Maître L’Her, breaking the hull of the 80-meter vessel and sinking it. In February, the Navy performed a shock test on the Lafayette-class frigate Courbet, detonating a naval mine near the vessel as it was under sail with its crew. (Source: Defense News)
30 Apr 25. Textron Systems’ XM204 Successfully Completes US Army 1st Article Testing. Top Attack, Anti-Vehicle Terrain Shaping System Supports Counter-Mobility Missions. Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that its XM204 Top Attack Munition, an anti-vehicle terrain shaping system, successfully completed U.S. Army-led First Article Testing under the current XM204 low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract. This milestone certifies the system is ready for production and delivery to the U.S. Army and its allies, filling an urgent need for terrain shaping obstacles. The test event, held at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, included rigorous testing to verify the XM204’s target engagement and self-destruct technologies. The XM204 is an anti-vehicle munition with standoff and top attack capabilities designed to support terrain shaping operations by supporting a number of counter mobility tasks such as blocking, disrupting and turning an enemy force. The XM204 can be rapidly emplaced and is highly portable; the system can be employed alone, in multiples or in tandem with other terrain shaping systems.
“Successful First Article Testing makes it possible to put the critical XM204 capability into the warfighter’s hands rapidly,” said Henry Finneral, Senior Vice President, Weapon Systems. “This anti-vehicle munition shapes the physical landscape by placing obstacles in key locations to slow or halt hostile vehicle convoys. It is a game-changing capability for counter-mobility missions addressing global needs to protect contested border regions and friendly forces.”
“The XM204’s successful First Article Test completion is a testament to the power of collaboration and the need to modernize our terrain shaping capabilities. This achievement is a significant step forward in how we enable maneuver commanders to shape terrain and protect their forces,” said Major General John T. Reim, Joint Program Executive Officer Armaments & Ammunition, U.S. Army.
The system fulfills a critical requirement to responsibly replace obsolete munitions and increase the capability of terrain shaping obstacles as the military prepares to counter peer adversaries in compliance with U.S. and Department of Defense policies. (Source: ASD Network)
29 Apr 25. North Korea conducts first test firing of its new warship’s weapons system. North Korea earlier this week conducted the first test-firing of the weapons system of the new “Choe Hyon-class” warship it recently unveiled, state media KCNA reported on Wednesday. Cruise and anti-air missiles were launched and artillery fired as part of the test-firing attended by leader Kim Jong Un and senior officials, the report said. The time has come for North Korea’s navy to choose to accelerate nuclear armament for maritime sovereignty and for the sake of national defence, Kim was quoted as saying. The intelligence agencies of South Korea and the U.S. were closely monitoring North Korea’s shipbuilding activities, an official at Seoul’s defence ministry said. More work might be needed before the new naval destroyer could take to the sea under its own propulsion, said 38 North, a think tank focusing on North Korea, noting a satellite image of tug boats nudging the ship back towards a floating drydock.
“The use of tugboats to move the ship into place and back again could indicate the lack of a functioning propulsion system,” the think tank said. (Source: Reuters)
30 Apr 25. The Lancet loitering munition, Russia’s game changer. In May 2024 Russian forces pushed across the border into the Kharkiv region, re-opening offensive operations in the area. Ukraine rushed to respond, its forces had been caught at least partially unprepared. Early 2024 had seen the fall of Avdiivka, and a flurry of smaller towns had been captured quickly after. It seemed as though Russian units were gathering offensive pace and Ukraine was struggling. The Kharkiv offensive was a rude surprise, forcing Ukraine to reallocate precious brigades away from the Eastern front, where battles were underway for Chasiv Yar, and offensives planned for Toretsk as Russia looked to complete its capture of the Donbass region. As Ukrainian units rushed to meet the Russian offensive, which expanded laterally as it met resistance, they were met with accurate and lethal strikes by Lancet loitering munitions. The Lancet was already making its presence felt along the frontline, especially as a counter-battery weapon. But in May 2024, Russian units launched at least 300 of these munitions, beating the previous monthly high of 178 munitions used in March 2024. More than a third of those strikes – 108 – were geolocated to a 133 km stretch of the Kharkiv front. Now, in April 2025, Russia has deployed Lancet more than 3,000 times, but never again at the intensity that it did during that spring offensive, according to Lostarmor.info, a pro-Russian combat loss tracking website. “One comes, then a second one comes, 10 minutes later a third one comes,” A Ukrainian artillery officer fighting in the Kharkiv region told Reuters. He had experienced a Lancet chain, a process that has become common in Russia’s counter-battery doctrine, which seeks to ensure defeat of Ukrainian howitzers once detected. Data gathered by Lostarmour indicates that the vast majority of Lancet strikes are against howitzers, towed and self-propelled, which shows the critical role played by the munitions in counter-battery warfare. The numbers of recorded strikes by platform are provided in the table below. The data of course has its limitations, not least of them the pro-Russian approach of the team that has built it. Nevertheless, it helps to reflect the impact that Lancet has on the Ukrainian battlefield. (Source: Calibre Defence News)
29 Apr 25. Norway receives first Joint Strike Missile for F-35As. Norway has received the first Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) Joint Strike Missile (JSM) to equip its fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) combat aircraft. The Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the milestone, saying the first of an undisclosed number of missiles to equip the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s (RNoAF’s) recently received fleet of 52 F-35As was handed over at Ørland Air Base on 28 April.
“Norway has become the first country to receive the full delivery of all its planned F-35 fighter jets… Today, the [Norwegian] Armed Forces have also received their first super missile from the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency and KDA. Work will now begin to stockpile the JSM missile at Ørland Air Base,” Minister of Defence Tore Sandvik said at the handover ceremony.
As noted by Janes Weapons: Air Launched, the JSM is a Norwegian-developed precision‐guided stand‐off missile, optimised for use by aircraft against both naval and land targets. The low-observable weapon provides anti‐ship attack capability to combat aircraft by using imaging infrared (IIR) guidance and a 120 kg impact or time delay warhead. Designed for internal and external carriage aboard the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35A and the carrier variant (CV) F-35C (it is too large for the internal weapons bays of the short take-off and vertical landing [STOVL] F-35B), the JSM has an estimated speed of Mach 0.9 and a range in excess of 275 km. As well as Norway, the JSM has been sold to Australia, Japan, and the United States for carriage aboard their F-35As. (Source: Janes)
28 Apr 25. India DRDL extended scramjet test. The test was carried out at the newly established Scramjet Connect Test Facility in Hyderabad. India’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) has executed an extensive ground test of an active cooled scramjet subscale combustor, surpassing 1,000 seconds of operation. The test marks a pivotal point in DRDL’s development of hypersonic weapon capabilities. DRDL is part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This test was carried out at the newly established Scramjet Connect Test. This test builds upon a previous one conducted for 120 seconds in January 2025. Following this successful demonstration, the next phase will involve testing a full-scale flight-ready combustor. The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) explains that hypersonic cruise missiles, capable of exceeding five times the speed of sound, rely on air-breathing engines for sustained, long-duration cruise conditions. The recent test validates the design of the scramjet combustor as well as the efficacy of the testing facility. This is the result of collaborative efforts among DRDO laboratories, industry partners, and academic institutions, strengthening the foundation of the nation’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme, said MoD.
The MoD said: “Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has complimented DRDO, Industry partners and academia for the remarkable achievement. He termed the success as a reflection of the government’s strong commitment in realising critical hypersonic weapon technologies for the nation.
“Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat congratulated Director General (Missiles & Strategic Systems) U Raja Babu, Director DRDL Dr GA Srinivasa Murthy and the complete team for demonstrating the supersonic combustion for more than 1,000 seconds involving cutting edge technologies.”
In 2020, DRDO successfully showcased its hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV) flight test. The vehicle was propelled to an altitude of 30km using a solid rocket motor, where it separated from its aerodynamic heat shields at a hypersonic Mach number. The scramjet engine operated under high dynamic pressure and extreme temperatures. The latest progress follows DRDO’s flight trial of India’s first long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha in November 2024. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
28 Apr 25. Portugal’s BeyondComposite teams with Grupo Protecta to bring its technology to Brazilian market. BeyondComposite, a Portuguese company specialising in composite materials, has signed a partnership agreement with Brazilian ballistic protection specialist Grupo Protecta to make its ballistic protection technology available in Brazil. Under the agreement, BeyondComposite will supply its CompactShield ballistic protection technology for military vehicles, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and ships. It also provides for the development of ballistic protection plates for ballistic vests, helmets, and shields. In a statement on 22 April the company said that this partnership “will allow us to accelerate the growth and internationalisation of BeyondComposite, with the possibility of approaching other markets in Latin America”. For the defence market, BeyondComposite develops and produces lightweight and compact multiscale highly rigid ballistic protection solutions for wheeled armoured vehicles, mission containers, UAVs, helmets, knee and elbow pads, and other protective equipment. Sonae Capital Industrials holds a majority stake of 62.48% in BeyondComposite. Other owners include Adira Metal Forming Solutions, Surforma, Capwatt, and Tafisa Canada. The Portuguese company currently has 20 employees. Grupo Protecta (also known as Coplatex Indústria e Comércio de Tecidos), which was founded in 2011 and has a workforce of more than 400, specialises in the development and production of ballistic vests, ballistic protection panels for the automotive industry, and ballistic shields. Grupo Protecta is accredited as a strategic defence company by the Brazilian Ministry of Defense. (Source: Janes)
28 Apr 25. Recoverable and reusable loitering munition solutions are set to significantly alter the modern battlespace as ground units seek to dominate the ‘atmospheric littoral.’ In a new whitepaper, Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, says that emerging cost-effective precision strike solutions that can be safely recovered and reused offer a strong alternative to more commonly deployed ‘One-Way Attack’ or First Person View (FPV) drones. In the new paper, USE IT, DON’T LOSE IT: The Case for Recoverable and Reusable Loitering Munitions, FLIR Defense argues that newer, advanced loitering munition unmanned aircraft systems (LMUAS) are better suited to support operations in the ‘atmospheric littoral.’ An emerging strategic concept, the atmospheric littoral describes the very low-altitude airspace (up to several hundred feet above ground level) which, if controlled, can significantly enhance the ground manoeuvre of combat units. The paper highlights the total ownership cost of FPV and legacy loitering munitions currently on the market. Most systems are single use, so whether they successfully hit a target or not, they are a spent cost. These types of munitions are more expensive and complicated to train with, operate, and maintain, compared to recoverable LMUAS that can be safely brought back if target conditions change, or fitted with an inert payload for training exercises. The whitepaper also explains how newer recoverable LMUAS, such as the FLIR Defense Rogue 1, can deliver greater precision strike capability to warfighters at the tactical edge. Rogue 1’s patented gimballed warhead allows users to ‘point’ and deliver its munitions far more accurately, so that the lightweight system can disable armoured platforms by targeting vulnerable spots on the vehicle. Increased precision makes up for the reduced payload capacity of the VTOL airframe compared to larger, fixed-wing platforms that can deliver heavier payloads but with less accuracy.
“Recoverable LMUAS offer small fighting units a big advantage when they can train more efficiently, deliver precision effects on the battlefield, and yet be able to reuse a system when target conditions change up to the last second,” said Dave Viens, vice president of US Business Development at Teledyne FLIR Defense. “As our ‘Use it, Don’t Lose It’ whitepaper points out, the atmospheric littoral has quickly become the key battlespace warfighters must control – and dominate – to defeat our enemies in modern conflicts.
“We believe the critical technologies embodied in the Rogue 1 lethal UAS offer distinct advantages to traditional ‘one-way’ FPV drones, giving combat units the edge they need to control the atmospheric littoral,” Viens added.
Other key points in the paper include:
- ‘One-Way Attack’ and ‘First Person View’ drones often suffer from major operational disadvantages across the battlespace, particularly in terms of cost, training, use case DEV/OPS, lethal effect, and precision.
- Recoverable and reusable loitering munitions not only reduce capital expenditure and training cycles but also optimise mission success.
- Military-grade quadrotor loitering munitions equipped with state-of-the-art fusing solutions and precision payloads are ideally suited to satisfy emerging demand signals at the tactical edge.
- Next-generation technologies, including ML/AI tools such as Aided Target Recognition (AiTR), will open up more possibilities for loitering munitions in the near future. (Source: joint-forces.com)
25 Apr 25. SIG SAUER, industry leading manufacturer of cutting-edge firearms, optics, and ammunition, announced the P320-M.O.D. Designed in collaboration with Max Michel, Captain of Team SIG and 20-time US National Champion, the P320-M.O.D. combines premium features from some of SIG SAUER’s most iconic competition-winning models with the purpose-driven feature set of a duty pistol. “The P320-M.O.D. is the ultimate off-duty pistol, delivering on performance, functionality and reliability when it matters most,” said Max Michel.
“SIG engineers considered specific needs of law enforcement officers around the country, as well as Max Michel’s decades of law enforcement training to bring the P320-M.O.D. to market. SIG SAUER is honoured the brave men and women in public safety trust our products to carry to protect and serve,” said Tom Jankiewicz, Executive Vice President, Law Enforcement Sales for SIG SAUER, Inc.
The SIG SAUER P320-M.O.D. is an optic-ready striker-fired, 9mm pistol with a 3.9” barrel, polymer X-Series grip module and full-length dust cover, flat blade trigger, and a two-port slide-integrated compensator. A Springer Precision magazine catch, removable magwell and grip weight, and XRAY3 Day/Night sights come standard. The P320-M.O.D. ships with three 21-round magazines and Max Michel edition HOGUE Wrapter adhesive grip. The P320-M.O.D. is the official sidearm of the SIG SAUER OFF-DUTY Program – an exclusive discount programme for those who protect, serve, and defend. OFF-DUTY offers special pricing on a wide variety of SIG SAUER products, providing qualified American professionals with the best designed and manufactured American gear on the market.
Specification ~ P320 M.O.D. (9 mm):
- Barrel Length: 3.9”
- Capacity: 21 Rounds
- Overall Length: 8.3”
- Overall Height: 5.7”
- Overall Width: 1.6”
- Optics Slide Cut: PRO
- Weight (w/magazine): 33.2 ounces
- SKU: 320XF-9-MAXM
- SKU (State Compliant): 320XF-9-MAXM-10
(Source: joint-forces.com)
24 Apr 25. The latest addition to the award-winning CZ SHADOW 2 family brings a combination of exceptional accuracy, advanced safety, and sport shooting ergonomics in a compact design that’s ideal for everyday carry. The CZ SHADOW 2 CARRY is a firearm for those who seek superior performance without compromise – whether on the range or when protecting health, life, or property. The CZ SHADOW 2 CARRY was created in response to growing customer interest in a smaller, lighter version of the successful, competition-proven CZ SHADOW 2 Series sport pistols. Thanks to innovations that focus on comfort, safety, and user-friendliness, the CZ SHADOW 2 CARRY sets a new bar in the EDC gun category – i.e. those designed for every day carry, especially concealed carry. This new pistol features an SA/DA trigger mechanism with smooth operation in both modes and advanced ergonomics from the legendary CZ 75. The combination of ambidextrous levers for safe de-cocking with a proven automatic firing pin block and safety notch on the hammer ensure leading safe carry without compromising comfort during handling and shooting. The innovative Optics-Ready interface on the rear part of the upper receiver allows for direct mounting of red dot sights with Shield RMSc or Holosun K footprints, without the use of mounting plates. This allows the red dot sight to sit lower and retains the ability to use standard iron sights as a backup. The CZ SHADOW 2 CARRY is built on a frame made of highly durable EN AW-7075 T6 aluminium alloy which, for example, is used in the aviation industry and for production of rifles. As with other CZ firearms, the barrel is manufactured with cold hammer forging technology, which guarantees extreme accuracy and a long service life. In addition, the barrel is covered by a lifetime warranty. (Source: joint-forces.com)
21 Apr 25. CARACAL, a leading small arms manufacturer from the UAE and an entity within EDGE Group, in collaboration with ICOMM Tele Ltd, a group company of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL), today inaugurated a world-class small arms manufacturing facility at ICOMM’s Integrated Engineering Facility in Hyderabad. This exclusive facility will serve as a local manufacturing hub for a comprehensive portfolio of advanced weapons under a historic Technology Transfer (ToT) agreement with CARACAL, marking a landmark milestone in UAE–India defence collaboration.
Under this initiative, the facility will produce:
- The mission-proven CAR 816 close-quarters battle rifle, chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO
- The highly-reliable CAR 817 assault rifle, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO
- The lightweight CSR 338 bolt-action sniper rifle, chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum
- The lightweight CSR 308 bolt-action sniper rifle, chambered in .308 Winchester
- The highly-accurate CSR 50 bolt-action anti-materiel sniper rifle, chambered in 12.7x99mm NATO
- The modern CMP9 submachine gun, chambered in 9x19mm
- The versatile CARACAL EF and CARACAL F GEN II combat pistols, chambered in 9x19mm
These next-generation weapons will serve the critical needs of: Indian Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Special Forces, State Police Forces, and SPG, and also cater to global export requirements of CARACAL.
Sumanth Paturu, Managing Director, ICOMM Tele Ltd, said: “This facility stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to India’s defence forces and our belief in the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for Aatmanirbhar Bharat. At ICOMM, we are not just making in India, we are making for India and for the world, with precision, pride and purpose. With CARACAL by our side as a trusted and visionary partner, we are building more than world-class weapons—we are building a bold, self-reliant India. This is our salute to every soldier, and our promise to deliver quality that protects, empowers and inspires.”
Hamad Alameri, CEO of CARACAL, said: “The launch of the ICOMM CARACAL Small Arms Complex marks a milestone in our efforts to support the Indian market and defence industry. As the first small arms technology transfer from the UAE to India, the factory further highlights our commitment to Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. With successful technical qualification by two Special Forces units and strong progress in Army trials, we are proud to deepen our role in India’s defence ecosystem. ICOMM has proven to be a highly capable and reliable partner, with world-class manufacturing expertise and a deep commitment to national self-reliance.”
The facility is a cornerstone in India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and ‘Make in India’ journey, blending global technology with Indian manufacturing excellence. It will also support CARACAL’s international programmes, strengthening India’s role as a trusted global defence production hub.
(Source: joint-forces.com)
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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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