Sponsored by Galvion
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19 Jun 25. Lockheed Martin has approached the UK government to offer assistance in the construction of a new missile defence system for Britain, amid rising geopolitical tensions and moves by the US to invest in a “Golden Dome” project. (Source: FT.com)
16 Jun 25. MBDA One-Way Effector: a solution to saturate enemies’ defences. At the 2025 Paris Air Show, MBDA is presenting One-Way Effector. Development of this sovereign long-range solution is taking place through an innovative production setup, in partnership with a drone manufacturer and industry players, notably from the automotive sector. One-Way Effector represents a trade-off between the need for mass and performance at lower cost to meet the challenges faced by armed forces in a high-intensity context. One-Way Effector is a new attrition proposition based on feedback from the armed forces, particularly from the conflict in Ukraine. Fired from the ground in salvoes, the One-Way Effector is aimed at exhausting enemy resources by exerting constant pressure on hostile air defence systems, with a warhead large enough to compel the enemy’s defences to destroy it. In so doing, the new effector is intended to force even the most sophisticated air defences to reveal themselves, making them easier to detect and neutralise, in conjunction with other long-range strike systems.
Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, declared: “One-Way Effector once again demonstrates MBDA’s agility to innovate and seek new ways to meet the challenges of the new conflicts doctrines. MBDA has already demonstrated its ability to scale up, and continues to adapt through the development of new effectors that meet the need for mass, thanks to unique partnerships with civilian industry. MBDA is currently the only player in Europe offering a complete range of systems enabling forces to fulfil all of their missions, from decision-making weapons to saturation effectors.”
The One-Way Effector proposition combines MBDA’s expertise in cruise missiles and remote-controlled munitions. Thanks to innovative partnerships, it benefits from new drone technologies and from civilian industry’s production capabilities. This new proposition, expressly designed for high-volume production, follows a new industrial model. An unprecedented cooperation with the automotive industry that will enable mass production on demand, with an output of up to a thousand units a month. With the development of One-Way Effector, MBDA is expanding its portfolio of saturation weapon solutions and once again demonstrating its ability to adapt to the needs of armed forces, enabling them to carry out their missions in a new strategic environment.
About MBDA
MBDA is a unique multi-national European group, a world-leader in the field of complex weapon systems, playing a key role in keeping nations safe. Created in the spirit of international co-operation, MBDA and its 18,000+ employees work together to support the national sovereignty of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, and their allies worldwide. As an accelerator for innovation, MBDA is the only European group capable of designing and manufacturing complex weapons to meet the full range of current and future operational requirements of the three armed forces (land, sea and air). Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%) and Leonardo (25%) jointly own MBDA.
16 Jun 25. Thales and KNDS France unveil RAPIDFire Land, a land-based variant of the 40 mm RAPIDFire Naval defence system
- RAPIDFire is a remotely operated artillery system co-developed by Thales and KNDS France. The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has awarded a contract for the production of 48 of these systems, and the first two RAPIDFire systems ordered earlier are now operational on board France’s new-generation fleet replenishment tankers.
- RAPIDFire can be installed on multiple platform types, and the land-based version will meet emerging operational requirements, in particular to protect sensitive sites from a wide range of threats including saturation attacks.
- The Airburst munition, which represents the cutting edge of air defence capabilities, is reaching an important milestone.
Full qualification of RAPIDFire system
The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has already ordered 14 RAPIDFire systems to equip French Navy vessels. Two systems have been installed on board the fleet replenishment tanker (BRF) Jacques Chevallier, which has completed two long-duration deployments, including several live fire exercises, with France’s carrier strike group. Two others were recently installed on France’s second BRF tanker Jacques Stosskopf ahead of an upcoming long-duration deployment. A fifth system will soon equip a new French Navy offshore patrol vessel.
The RAPIDFire system was qualified in early 2025 and can now be used with all existing 40CT munitions.
As the first remotely operated 40 mm system to incorporate the 40CT cannon, RAPIDFire provides a close-in self-defence capability to protect platforms against modern air and surface threats. It features state-of-the-art optronics jointly designed by Thales and KNDS France, and the new 40 mm cased telescoped munition technology developed by CTAI, a subsidiary of KNDS France.
This solution provides unmatched firepower, with a ready rack of up to 140 rounds, corresponding to dozens of target interceptions with no need to reload. The fire control system recalibrates its aim after every round fired to account for the target’s speed and direction of travel. RAPIDFire is designed to engage a broad range of threats – from ships to light aircraft, drones, loitering munitions and missiles – at ranges of up to 4 kilometres. Its 40 mm cannon is compatible with all telescoped munitions, including the A3B (Airburst) round, which is particularly effective against aerial threats.
A multi-platform system for land and naval forces
RAPIDFire’s underlying technology is versatile enough for the system to be adapted for various applications. A land-based version is now planned following discussions with the French Air and Space Force on the need to protect high-value assets at its air bases in France and during overseas deployments.
KNDS France and Thales are developing the land version of RAPIDFire in two configurations:
- Semi-mobile for site protection, with a 20-foot platform set up on the ground that can be readily moved and re-deployed to other locations.
- Mobile, with the 20-foot platform mounted on a vehicle to protect high-value assets in the theatre of operations.
A3B, the ideal munition for air defence
Leveraging the proven airburst technology of the GPR-AB-T round, the Anti Aerial Airburst (A3B) munition delivers a payload of tungsten subprojectiles with a directional (frontal) terminal effect, providing enhanced effectiveness against various types of aerial targets: drones, helicopters, light aircraft, fighter jets, low-end subsonic missiles and RAM (rocket, artillery, mortar) threats.
Development of the A3B munition is ongoing (currently at Technology Readiness Level 5), with full operational capability in anti-air mode expected in 2027. A contract modification was awarded in late 2024 for the development, production engineering, qualification and delivery of a first batch of 500 A3B munitions with the RAPIDFire system.
12 Jun 25. KNDS France is committed to strengthen its industrial partnership with Indonesian DTIB through transfer of know-how, technology and of assembly of artillery guns in Indonesia. KNDS already provided 56 CAESAR systems (arming three battalions) in service within TNI, making Indonesia the 3rd biggest CAESAR customer worldwide and the biggest in Asia. There are also 20 105LG light towed guns in the Marinirs Corps of the Indonesian Navy. We acknowledge the strong support from both Indonesian and French MoD through the recent Letter of Intent signed during the French President Emmanuel Macron visit in Jakarta. A mutually beneficial perspective for both Indonesian and French TDIB: This proposed partnership approach, under the Indonesian-French Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) umbrella will offer mutual benefit and will guarantee to Indonesia a strong return on investment, an increased sovereignty, will contribute to self-sufficiency objectives, secure a high level of local content as well as high-value transfer. It will also build-up expertise and capabilities in Indonesia and maximize operational readiness of the systems. Thanks to KNDS France’s industrial partnership with local DTIB and the set-up of a local workshop, most of the maintenance of the systems can be done in Indonesia. (Source: joint-forces.com)
13 Jun 25. Kratos’ ARAV-B Medium-Range Ballistic Missile Target Successfully Engaged. Intercepted by U.S. Guided Missile Destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG-84) and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) Using Standard Missile 3 (SM-3). Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a technology company in Defense, National Security and Global Markets, today announced its participation in NATO’s At-Sea Demonstration (ASD)/Formidable Shield (FS) 25. This extensive live-fire exercise, the largest of its kind in the European theater, is hosted biennially by the U.S. 6th Fleet and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO. This year’s exercise comprised a series of live-fire events against unmanned air and surface systems, subsonic, supersonic, and ballistic targets. It incorporated multiple Allied ships, multi-national/multi-service ground-based air defenses, and aviation forces, working cohesively across battlespaces to deliver lethal effects, accomplish exercise objectives, and hone warfighting skills. Kratos’ Aegis Readiness Assessment Vehicle Type B (ARAV-B) medium range ballistic missile target participated during the exercise. Kratos launched the ARAV-B target on May 20, 2025, which flew a nominal trajectory and performed all planned events before being successfully engaged and intercepted by U.S. guided missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG-84) and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) using a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3).
Dave Carter, President of the Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services Division, said, “Kratos is immensely proud of our dedicated team of professionals who consistently contribute to the success of events like Formidable Shield for users worldwide. Our team continues to deliver affordable, responsive, and reliable threat representative targets to our government customers and their allies.”
Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos, said, “At Kratos, we deliver real, mission relevant products and systems to our customers, not powerpoints, renditions or imagination. We believe that affordability is a technology, and rather than pay dividends or buy back KTOS stock, we invest Kratos funds to rapidly develop and field National Security relevant hardware, innovating, and also saving our government customer and the U.S. taxpayer time and money compared to traditional approaches. Kratos’ participation in Formidable Shield 25 is a recent example of the success and value creation of Kratos’ strategy for our entire incredibly important stakeholder community.”
The exercise, which commenced on May 3, 2025, involved approximately 6,900 personnel from across NATO member states. Kratos has been supporting the biennial Formidable Shield Exercise with aerial drone and ballistic missile targets since its inception in 2017, continually offering NATO forces opportunities to test and improve interoperability in the integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) environment. (Source: ASD Network)
12 Jun 25. Latvia signs LoI for Archer wheeled artillery systems. The two parties commit to implement joint training of Latvian and Swedish personnel. The preliminary deal was signed by Latvian MoD procurement deputy state secretary major general Andis Dilāns and Swedish National Armaments director Göran Mårtensson. The LoI also aims to enhance involvement from Latvia’s local defence industry within the supply security framework. Furthermore, the document outlines a shared objective to establish a collaborative Archer 6×6 wheeled artillery unit. Additionally, the LoI lays the groundwork for combined training initiatives between Latvian and Swedish military personnel, subject to future approval by both nations’ armed forces. In addition, Sweden has agreed to provide interim leased systems until the new artillery is delivered.
Andris Sprūds said: “The agreement between Sweden and Latvia marks a significant step in closer defence cooperation between the two countries. The agreement provides a solid basis for joint military exercises, soldier training, and the presence of effective artillery systems starting in 2026. This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to strengthening regional security and deterrence, especially in these geopolitically challenging times.”
In January 2025, Latvia’s MoD engaged General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) for an initial supply of 42 ASCOD infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), along with associated logistical support. The MoD also awarded a research and development (R&D) contract to Origin Robotics in March 2025 for a high-speed interceptor drone to bolster defence against aerial threats. Archer represents a low-risk option that is immediately accessible for countries looking to enhance their 155mm artillery firepower, said BAE Systems. In April 2025, the Swedish government confirmed its acquisition of 18 Archer mobile howitzers from BAE Systems, marking the 18th instalment of support to Ukraine. This procurement aligns with the UK’s efforts to modernise its artillery capabilities, as the Archer system is also operational within the British Army. The UK has adopted Archer as part of its strategy to replace AS90 systems that were supplied to Ukraine. Additionally, Switzerland shortlisted Archer as one of the two final contenders in its evaluation process. The system is globally marketed, mounted on an 8×8 RMMV HX2 truck chassis, offering a highly mobile and advanced artillery platform. (Source: army-technology.com)
12 Jun 25. Bloomy launches US Army-validated soldier-worn system. The system monitors and analyse the energy usage of soldier-worn battery-powered electronics and other portable devices. Automated test solutions supplier Bloomy Controls has officially launched the eSoldier Power Monitoring System, a product co-developed with the US Army Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM-SC). The US Army-validated soldier-worn system is designed to monitor and assess the energy usage of soldier-worn battery-powered electronics and other portable devices. This system aims to fulfil an essential requirement in managing power resources for military applications. The eSoldier system is claimed to provide accurate measurements across 12 channels of power usage along with additional sensor information. It features a distributed sensor network that is both innovative and compact, making it simple for soldiers to carry or attach to mobile gear during manoeuvres, said the company. US Army DEVCOM-SC military power, systems engineer, programme integrator Noel Soto said: “The eSoldier Power Monitoring System allows DEVCOM-SC to acquire data in ways that were not feasible or possible before. This capability is crucial for understanding and optimizing actual soldier power requirements in the field.” The eSoldier system is a robust, lightweight solution designed for soldiers in training, capable of capturing data on voltage, current, temperature, acceleration, and other inputs. It offers high-speed sampling (100 kilosamples per second) and advanced processing to identify data irregularities and transient events, along with GPS for location tracking, said Bloomy. The system can be enhanced with optional wireless power sensors for a cable-free setup and features an intuitive interface with efficient data acquisition software for easy operation. It meets military specifications MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, and is IP67 certified for durability. The eSoldier system has proven its effectiveness in various Army tests, including assessments of the Nett Warrior system, Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), exoskeletons, and additional equipment at key US military facilities, noted the company. (Source: army-technology.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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