Sponsored by Galvion
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15 Jul 25. Galvion receives further follow-on Batlskin Caiman order of 5000 helmets, for the Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) programme. Galvion, a world leader in innovative head protection systems and power and data management solutions, has received a second follow-on order from the Department of National Defence (DND) Canada for its flagship Batlskin Caiman® ballistic helmet systems. This latest order for an additional 5000 helmets with two (2) helmet covers each, is expected to deliver in early 2026. The original Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) programme contract was awarded in February 2023 for 2,100 helmets and 4,200 helmet covers. In July 2024, year two of a five-year framework contract, the DND exercised an option to order an additional 8,400 helmets and 16,800 helmet covers taking the total Canadian DICE order to 10,500 helmets and 21,000 covers, all successfully delivered. With this latest follow-on order, the DICE totals now total over 15,000 helmets and 30,000 covers, all ordered within three years of the five-year framework. Developed over a number of years with extensive SOF community collaboration and feedback and now fielded in the hundreds of thousands across multiple NATO countries, Galvion’s Caiman® helmet system delivers unmatched levels of weight and comfort, and is expressly designed to incorporate electronics, communications headsets, and other critical equipment needs, now and into the future. The helmet is equipped with Galvion’s premiere APEX lining system, an intuitively adjustable design that enables a customized fit for users. The helmet systems assessed for DICE were trialled by members of the Canadian Light Infantry Battalion at the end of 2022. Conducted under operational conditions, the trials included the integration of equipment such as eyewear, night vision goggles, gas masks, hearing protection, and cold-weather gear. The Caiman helmet received the highest rating by a significant margin and was selected after a phased bid process.
Todd Stirtzinger, CEO at Galvion said: “We are exceedingly proud to receive another significant order from the Canadian DND for their DICE programme. Repeat orders like this demonstrate partner confidence and end-user satisfaction, both of which are core drivers for everything that we do at Galvion.” He added: “We are seeing significant increases in demand across all of our head system platforms, with the Caiman helmet seeing far and wide adoption beyond the SOF community, as evidenced by this DICE contract but also the continued receipt of orders from NATO countries through our NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework contract. We have more good news on that side to be announced soon. This activity, alongside other notable successes, has triggered some major investment and expansion activity, which is best showcased by our recent European Production Hub opening ceremony, in Poland.”
17 Jul 25. Anduril performs Barracuda-100M flight tests for US Army’s High-Speed Maneuverable Missile programme. The US Army and Anduril have disclosed a series of tests of the Barracuda-100M missile for the High-Speed Maneuverable Missile (HSMM) programme, including powered flights, performance envelope expansion, and tests of the service-developed Precision Target Acquisition Seeker (PTAS), the army and company said in separate 14 July statements. HSMM is a test programme intended to build an air- or ground-launched missile capable of reaching targets up to 120 km away.
“Back in 2023, [Anduril] started off with design reviews and iterated on a lot of trade studies to refine the [Barracuda-100M] air vehicle dynamics … specifically making sure that we’re maturing the subsystems and the air vehicle performance to meet the HSMM requirements,” Stephen Milano, Anduril’s senior director for advanced effects, told reporters on 15 July.
“In 2024 we hit a handful of test milestones. We started off with our wind tunnel and environmental testing, and at the end of 2024 we did our initial powered flight testing off of an [Aero L-29 Delfin] surrogate aircraft at our private test range that Anduril operates,” Milano continued.
In May 2025, the company performed additional flight testing “to verify and expand the vehicle’s envelope altitudes, release altitudes, [and] performance altitudes of both the engine and the performance of the vehicle management system,” Milano added. “We proved out autonomous launch mission execution and multiple terminal guidance strike capabilities throughout the test sequence … as well as the control that the army is seeking out of [its] test vehicle and future operational capabilities. Throughout each of these [tests] we hit the targets as we anticipated, but most importantly, we instantiated the terminal guidance manoeuvres that were the most interesting to the army customer.” (Source: Janes)
17 Jul 25. L3Harris unveils new long-range missile with eye on China in the Pacific. L3Harris Technologies (LHX.N) has unveiled two new missiles that aim to provide less expensive long-range strike options for the U.S. military as it restocks its supplies while looking for arms to deter China’s ambitions in the Pacific. The “Red Wolf” and “Green Wolf” missile launch comes as the concept of “affordable mass” has gained prominence due to the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, which have underscored the need for plentiful, cost-effective weapons. This strategy focuses on having a large number of relatively inexpensive munitions ready for deployment, ensuring military readiness and adaptability. These multi-role missiles with a range of more than 200 nautical miles can hit moving targets like ships, such as in the Pacific Ocean where range is important. Lockheed Martin and RTX currently dominate the space in the U.S. market. The most basic version of L3’s new missile would cost in the $300,000-range. (Source: Reuters)
17 Jul 25. Taiwan unveils extended-range Hsiung Feng III missile. Taiwan has deployed its new locally developed land-launched Hsiung Feng III extended-range (HF-IIIER) supersonic anti-ship missile (ASM) at the 41st iteration of its annual ‘Han Kuang’ military exercise, state-owned Central News Agency (CNA) has reported. CNA reported on 15 July that at least four HF-IIIER ASM launchers and a command-and-control (C2) vehicle were deployed during the exercise by the Republic of China Navy’s (RoCN’s) Haifeng Brigade located in Bali district of Taipei county. ‘Han Kuang’, which runs from 9 to 18 July, simulates a Chinese attack on the island’s military bases and critical infrastructure. According to CNA, the HF-IIIER is mounted on a mobile missile launcher featuring two rocket containers for four missiles. The missile has an estimated range of 400 km. The baseline HF-III represents the third generation of the Hsiung Feng family of ASMs, developed by Taiwan’s National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST). The Hsiung Feng family consists of land-, ship-, and air-launched ASMs. The land-launched variant of HF-III has been in service with the RoCN since 2023. The HF-IIIER missile procurement is part of Taiwan’s TWD240bn (USD8bn) ‘special budget’, allocated by the Executive Yuan from 2022 to 2026 for the Ministry of National Defense’s (MND’s) ‘naval and air force capability enhancement programme’. According to Janes Weapons: Naval , the baseline HF-III is a ramjet-powered missile featuring a highly pointed tangent ogive nose and long constant‐diameter cylindrical body. It features an active radar seeker, and an inertial navigation system (INS)-based guidance system. The missile has a maximum speed of up to Mach 2.3 and a range of 150 km. (Source: Janes)
17 Jul 25. For the first time, BAE Systems has launched a precision munition from a multi-rotor Uncrewed Air System (UAS) and successfully destroyed both air and ground targets during trials in the US. This marks a major step forward in the development of a low-cost strike and counter UAS option for frontline troops. The launch of munitions upgraded with BAE Systems’ APKWS® laser-guidance kit from a TRV-150, a modified version of the BAE Systems’ Malloy T-150, marks the first air to air engagement of an APKWS guidance kit from a UAS, building on its decades-long presence on combat aircraft including the F-16, F-18 and Apache helicopter. The successful trials demonstrate the multi-role capability of the platform and are a significant boost to showcasing how advancements in drone technologies can be harnessed to offer militaries highly effective and affordable tactical options to tackle both emerging UAS threats and more traditional targets.
Anthony Gregory, Business Development Director, BAE Systems’ FalconWorks®, said: “Uncrewed systems are an increasingly important part of our customers’ arsenals and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to show how UAS technology can further help them maintain an edge on the ever-evolving modern battlefield.
“These trials have significantly advanced our ability to deliver this new tactical option at a fraction of the cost of conventional means, showcasing that we continue to address the challenges of tomorrow through innovation and collaboration.”
The tests took place at US Army Dugway Proving Ground in Utah using a modified version of BAE Systems’ Malloy T-150 adapted to meet the US Marine Corps logistics requirements known as the SURVICE TRV-150. BAE Systems engineers in the UK provided expert weapons integration knowledge and experience to integrate the APKWS guidance kit. It transforms unguided rockets into precision-guided munitions and provides a low-cost, highly effective solution that has multi-role capabilities. With its integration onto the TRV-150 the tests exceeded expectations in all aspects, including platform performance and target engagements, with zero misses.
Greg Thompson, President at SURVICE Engineering, said: “While originally designed as a tactical edge logistics drone, adding strike packages to different variants of the TRV is a natural extension that leverages an already-fielded UAS as a multi-role offensive and defensive asset. Providing medium UAS-delivered air and ground target strike capability will be a force-multiplying game changer and we are excited to play a role in bringing this new capability to our US and allied-nation warfighters.”
The successful integration on display during the trials highlights the possibility of providing operators with a unique solution for engaging targets at greater range than ground-launched solutions, using a system that can easily be deployed to the front line. The trial was a result of efficient collaboration between BAE Systems FalconWorks®, BAE Systems, Inc., SURVICE Engineering, bringing together knowledge and expertise from across our UK and US teams. The trials were also supported by Invariant Corporation, Arnold Defense, General Dynamics UK and L3Harris. The team behind this cross-Atlantic partnership will now build on these successful trials to further refine the new system so that it is ready for use on the battlefield. This includes integrating more autonomous technology.
15 Jul 25. Spain to Upgrade and Expand its Artillery. The Spanish Army is planning a major upgrade and expansion to its tube field artillery. The program involves the acquisition of eighty-six wheeled and one-hundred and twenty-eight tracked self-propelled howitzers in 155mm calibre. It will further include associated supporting ammunition, command and recovery vehicles. These new weapons will replace the current M109A5 self-propelled howitzers in service with the Army and Marines. The tracked howitzers will be based on the ASCOD chassis which is already in Spanish service. A possibly favoured configuration is the NEMESIS which mounts the 155mm/L52 KNDS Artillery Gun Module (AGM) turret. The ASCOD platform is powered by a 1100 hp diesel engine and can be fitted with steel or composite rubber tracks. Its high mobility enables the NEMESIS to “Shoot & Scoot” including firing on the move in every direction. It can undertake MRSI (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact), has a firing range of up to 54/70 km depending on ammunition type, and optional direct targeting further underline the system’s unique artillery capabilities.
NEMESIS
For the wheel vehicle mounted howitzers the requirement allows for mounting on 8×8 or 10×10 chassis. A possible candidate is the Radhaubitze RCH 155 developed by GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas and KNDS. It combines the Piranha 10×10 chassis with the same KNDS 155mm/L52 Artillery Gun Module as the NEMESIS allowing operational, training and logistics commonality. Each procurement will include associated ammunition resupply vehicles, recovery vehicles, maintenance vehicles and training, tools, and logistics. The self-propelled howitzers will be equipped with modern digital fire-controls and the ability to network command and control systems. The technical requirement specifies the capability to engage moving naval targets suggesting these guns may need to undertake coastal defense missions. The howitzers are required to have a range of 40 km firing base bleed ammunition. The AGM has a crew of two or three but can operate unmanned remotely. It includes an automatic loading, inertial/GNSS navigation, wireless fire control data transmission and fire across 360-degrees. The AGM is also a strong candidate in a number of other NATO army artillery procurements including that of Germany and the United Kingdom. The programs have an estimated value of €3.002 bn with €1.181 bn allocated to the wheeled howitzer systems and €1.821 bn for the tracked howitzer systems. The program is to be implemented as a multi-year acquisition. It will require domestic production and long-term maintenance and support. The final selection of the actual systems that will be acquired will be based on field and technical evaluations of systems that may be proposed by industry. (Source: Armada
12 Jul 25. Romania to become first European country to acquire Iron Dome air defence system. Romanian Defence Minister Ionuț Moșteanu has confirmed that Romania intends to acquire the Iron Dome air defence system, as part of a broader strategy to enhance national security. Speaking to public broadcaster TVR, Moșteanu said the contract for the SHORAD-VSHORAD system is scheduled to be signed in the autumn of 2025.
“These are defensive missile batteries that we don’t have, and we need them,” the minister stated. “If I were to give an example, when we see images from Tel Aviv when the Iranians attack and we see the Iron Dome, that is SHORAD-VSHORAD, and it protects Tel Aviv. It will protect us as well. Whether it’s airports, military bases, or, God forbid, we need to defend our cities.”
The Iron Dome, developed by Israel, is designed to intercept short and very short-range missile threats, providing effective protection for critical infrastructure and urban areas. Romania’s move to adopt the system marks a significant shift in its defence acquisition policy. Moșteanu noted that military procurement currently accounts for nearly 30% of the national defence budget. Future purchases, he added, will also include short-range missiles and corvettes. The minister also emphasised the strategic importance of the Black Sea region, underlining its relevance in both European and American security frameworks. He said President Nicușor Dan, who recently assumed office, will present a new national defence strategy in 2025.
“There is no Black Sea strategy without Turkey. It is the strongest. We will have to take these steps, these discussions, and it will be in the national defence strategy, there will be a Black Sea strategy,” Moșteanu said. (Source: Google/DIE)
14 Jul 25. Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, has once again pushed the boundaries of fabric engineering — this time by increasing the Dyneema® layers in its latest advanced composite fabric material. These new Dyneema® Woven Composites take material performance to the next level by combining the unmatched strength of a Dyneema® composite core with a 100% Dyneema® abrasion-resistant woven face fabric. This next-generation composite fabric material can offer up to 10 times more abrasion resistance, 5 times better tear resistance, and 34% weight savings compared to the existing Dyneema® high-performance composite portfolio. Fifteen times stronger than steel yet light enough to float on water, Dyneema® is the original ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, which is trusted in countless applications where performance is paramount and reliability is critical. The secret is in the science. Dyneema® Woven Composites feature a dual-layer composite structure that combines the strength, abrasion resistance, and durability of a fully woven Dyneema® face fabric with the dimensional stability, structural integrity, and lightweight waterproof properties of Dyneema® composite technology. The result is a fabric that is highly durable under significant load conditions and after prolonged use.
“Dyneema® Woven Composites are a major breakthrough in materials engineering,” said Chiharu Pidgeon, Global Business Manager, Fabrics & Composites for Dyneema®, Avient. “By harnessing the full potential of Dyneema® fiber with precision-layered construction, we’ve created a fabric that doesn’t just resist wear – it redefines strength and stability in high-performance applications.
Dyneema® R&D specialists spent two years extensively testing the new fabric with longtime collaborator, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, a leading outdoor gear manufacturer. With the help of Hyperlite’s extensive network of elite athletes and mountaineers, they tested prototype backpacks during months-long expeditions on some of the most extreme hiking trails from the Alaskan wilderness to the summit of the Rockies and beyond. The consensus was clear: the world’s strongest fiber™ just got stronger. Backpacks from Hyperlite are the first products on the market to feature this game-changing technology and are available to consumers and outdoor enthusiasts worldwide starting July 15, 2025.
This innovation pushes fabric engineering to new heights, delivering a composite that can withstand some of the most extreme and demanding environments, reinforcing Dyneema® as the global leader in fiber technology. Learn how Dyneema® is revolutionizing fabric engineering at www.dyneema.com.
11 Jul 25. U.S. Army to quadruple procurement of PAC-3 MSE air defence missiles from Lockheed Martin. The U.S. Army plans to significantly increase its procurement of PAC-3 MSE air defence missiles in 2026, according to its proposed defence budget. The number of PAC-3 MSE (Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement) missiles ordered is set to rise from 3,376 to 13,773.
“This increase highlights the critical importance of Patriot systems in military operations in the Middle East and Ukraine,” the accompanying document states. The planned acquisition of 10,397 additional missiles will result in an estimated cost of $40.2 bn, or approximately $3.87 m per missile.
The PAC-3 MSE missiles are equipped with an active radar seeker, a high-explosive fragmentation warhead, and a contact fuze. They are capable of intercepting targets at altitudes up to 36,000 metres and at ranges of up to 120 kilometres for aerial targets and 60 kilometres for ballistic ones. The U.S. Army has long faced shortages of Patriot systems. New Patriot and THAAD batteries were deployed in the Middle East from October 2023, while large-scale deliveries to Ukraine have further strained supplies.
In 2024, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan noted that despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request for at least seven Patriot batteries, stockpiles were limited. “American Patriot systems are currently deployed around the world, including in the Middle East, to protect U.S. forces. If we could free up more Patriot batteries, we would. But we are primarily supplying the missiles,” he stated. (Source: Google/DIE)
11 Jul 25: [auto-translated] Today, 11 July, Reservists who participated in the mission of the division’s artillery battalion launched HIMARS from their missile launchers for the first time. The battle drill was the culmination of a study gathering in the Saaremaa and Muhu districts on July 4. HIMARS is now part of our defence. The training began even before the systems arrived in Estonia in cooperation with units from the United States. Today, we have a trained missile artillery battery that continues to practice the defence of Estonia consistently. We have both a team with long experience and a top technical team, and now we have reached a level where we can organise both training and shooting exercises independently. We will continue to grow and develop the rocket artillery, said Margus Ora, a battery-operated columnist for the division’s artillery battalion. The battle exercise on the Undva Peninsula with the M142 HIMARS missile launcher, which was only recently added to the armed forces, was conducted with the participation of reserve soldiers trained to operate the weapons system, having previously undergone training for the use of the weapons system. The purpose of the gathering was to increase the unit’s combat readiness, develop interoperability and entrench the knowledge and skills of the soldiers in using weapons systems; during the nine-day and final training session, the Reservists added to their knowledge of weapons and brushed up practical skills in handling weapons while practising acting as a weapons team. The deployment of HIMARS for the Estonian Defence Force is an important milestone in the development of the division’s rocket artillery battery and the strengthening of Estonia’s defence capabilities. M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) missile launchers are considered one of the most modern long-range indirect fire systems in the world. Their introduction in the Estonian Defence Forces represents a significant increase in force in both capacity and in terms of defence. The artillery battalion is a centre of indirect fire skills and knowledge in the armed forces. The battalion provides professional further education for servicemen and active personnel from across the armed forces. The main task of the artillery battalion in wartime is to support division units with indirect fire. (Source: joint-forces.com)
07 Jul 25. Taiwan Acquiring M109A7 Self-propelled Howitzers. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence on 5 July 2025 has decided to acquire one-hundred and sixty-eight M09A7 155mm self-propelled howitzers from the United States. This is a substantial increase from the previous plan which would have purchased forty systems. It is understood that this larger fielding is part of a broader effort toward modernizing the Army’s entire artillery inventory. The new acquisition will also include M992A3 Field Artillery Ammunition Resupply Vehicles (FAASV) which can accompany the guns providing ammunition. Currently Taiwan’s artillery consists of a range of models including 105mm, 155mm and 203mm howitzers many of which are legacy systems which are becoming difficult to support. The M106A7 is an updated version of the M109A5 which are in service with Taiwan’s forces. Built by BAE Systems it has a range of improvements including a new chassis, engine, transmission, and running gear derived from the M2 Bradley, as well as turret and fire control updates. The cannon is a 155mm 39 calibre with a range of 21 km with conventional and 30 km with rocket assisted projectiles. The weapon can also fire the extended range precision guided M982 Excalibur round which Taiwan had requested but has not yet been approved by the US. M109A7 is specifically designed to conduct “shoot-and-scoot” tactics that enhance survivability. The procurement is estimated to have a value of over NY$90 bn (US$2.75 bn. This acquisition further complements Taiwan’s indirect fires capabilities which is also being enhanced by its fielding of the HIMARS rocket systems. Both M109 and the HIMARS have been extensively fielded by a number of militaries and have been proven in combat. BAE was approved for production of the M109A7 in 2020 and has received recent orders for the system and the FASSV in 2023, 2024, and 2025. These have reflected deliveries to January 2029. The timing of the Taiwan order and proposed delivery schedule remains unclear as are the details of the phase out of the current artillery systems. This move by the forces further reflects the recognition of the importance of artillery fires on the current and future battlefields as demonstrated in the Ukraine. (Source: AMR)
11 Jul 25. Turkey’s Baykar Kemankeş-1 Loitering Munition Adds Air-to-Air Strike Role. In a demonstration of multi-domain versatility, the Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar has achieved a milestone by proving that its AI-powered Kemankeş 1 loitering munition can engage airborne threats, not just ground targets. This unprecedented capability was showcased when the Kemankeş 1 was launched from the Bayraktar Akıncı UCAV and successfully intercepted aerial target mid-flight. This new development highlights the rising importance of loitering munitions as flexible assets in modern aerial warfare. Developed as a jet-powered, mini cruise missile, the Kemankeş 1 represents Baykar’s push to integrate artificial intelligence and precision targeting into small, long-endurance munitions. Designed with a 200+ km range and a high-performance optical guidance system, the Kemankeş 1 can autonomously loiter over contested airspace, identify and track even small airborne threats, and execute precision strikes with minimal operator input. While the Akıncı UCAV provided the launch platform for the recent test, the focus remains on Kemankeş 1’s ability to redefine strike options with its advanced anti-jamming systems and real-time data links for surveillance and targeting. Baykar’s journey with the Kemankeş 1 has been methodical yet bold. Since its first prototypes, the loitering munition has undergone rigorous tests covering system integration, flight endurance, AI-based target recognition, and precision strikes under harsh conditions. Unlike traditional drones that deploy loitering munitions exclusively for ground targets, this air-to-air test signals a strategic shift: drones like Akıncı can now deliver organic air defense capabilities using smart, cost-effective loitering rounds. This mirrors trends observed in other countries experimenting with turbojet-powered, subsonic air-to-air loitering weapons, though few have demonstrated practical tests as Turkey now has. Compared to similar concepts like loitering air defense munitions under development in the US or Iran, the Kemankeş 1 stands out for its compact form factor and real-world operational success. Where conventional MANPADS or short-range missiles require high-speed intercepts, Kemankeş 1 uses its extended loiter time and agile guidance to patrol aerial sectors, creating an aerial minefield effect. This not only complicates enemy drone and helicopter operations but also positions the Akıncı UCAV as a dual-role platform, blurring the line between strike and defense in contested airspaces. Strategically, the implications are significant. The proven ability of the Kemankeş 1 to neutralize air targets demonstrates Türkiye’s ambition to develop drones capable of layered air defense roles without relying solely on ground-based systems. This multi-operability enhances the survivability and autonomy of drone fleets in complex theatres, offering a new asymmetric response to swarming drone threats and low-flying helicopters. The demonstration also strengthens Baykar’s competitive position in the global drone market, where multi-mission payloads are increasingly demanded. While Baykar continues to self-finance many of its flagship technologies, recent export agreements for the Akıncı UCAV family suggest growing interest from states seeking cost-efficient, AI-enabled precision munitions. Details of specific Kemankeş 1 contracts remain undisclosed, but this milestone will likely accelerate procurement discussions. This milestone test of the Kemankeş 1 from an Akıncı UCAV marks not just another technical achievement for Baykar but a meaningful evolution of unmanned aerial warfare. By extending the mission envelope of loitering munitions into air-to-air engagements, Türkiye signals its intention to reshape drone doctrine with self-contained aerial defense layers that can adapt to dynamic threats in real time. (Source: UAS VISION/Army Recognition)
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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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