Sponsored by Galvion
www.galvion.com
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
24 Jul 25. US State Department clears Egypt to buy NASAMS in $4.7bn deal. “The proposed sale will improve Egypt’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to detect various air threats,” according to the notice from DSCA. The US State Department today approved the potential Foreign Military Sale of the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to Egypt for an estimated cost of $4.67bn, according to a notice from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The sale includes four AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel radar systems, hundreds of missiles and dozens of guidance units, along with a slew of non-Major Defense Equipment.
“The proposed sale will improve Egypt’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to detect various air threats,” the announcement says, adding it will “support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.”
NASAMS, codeveloped by RTX and Norwegian defense firm Kongsberg, is a medium-range, air defense system designed to engage fixed or rotary wing aircraft, uncrewed aerial systems and cruise missiles. RTX will serve as the prime contractor of the sale, and “there are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale,” according to the notice. Egypt has historically received a large amount of Foreign Military Funding — money the US government gives to other nations in order to build up their national security capabilities — and along with Israel, was reportedly an exception to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s pause on FMF in January. In recent months, however, analysts have warned about what appeared to be Cairo’s tightening ties with Beijing especially in the wake of first-ever cooperative military drills in April. Today’s notice from DSCA is a congressional notification and is not final. Quantities and dollar totals often shift during negotiations, and today’s announcement technically tees up an opportunity for lawmakers to block the deal within a 30-day period, though such a step is rare. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
24 Jul 25. North Macedonia forms Boran 105 mm artillery battery. MKE’s Boran Air Transportable Light Towed Howitzer (ATLTH) is displayed at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 held in Istanbul from 22 to 27 July, the week after North Macedonia formed a battery of six of the artillery pieces. Speaking during the ceremony at the ‘Mirce Acev’ barracks in Prilep to mark the formation of the artillery battery on 18 July, the Chief of General Staff of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, Major General Sashko Lafciski, said the procurement of the Boran howitzers marked the beginning of the implementation of one of the key components of the country’s equipment and ammunition for indirect fire support project. He noted that this would fulfil Macedonian obligations under NATO’s 2021 capability goals package and confirmed by its new 2025 target package.
“It is a new modern weapon that has the required tactical and technical characteristics,” Maj Gen Lafciski said. “The Turkish Armed Forces received this weapon in 2021, and only four years later it is part of our army… The supply of these artillery assets significantly strengthens the army’s indirect fire support capabilities, while achieving the desired interoperability for participation in NATO-led operations.”
Turkish Ambassador to North Macedonia Fatih Ulusoy added, “Today we jointly look at concrete examples of our military and defence industry co-operation. MKE’s Boran howitzers and the Aselsan command-and-control (C2) systems that North Macedonia purchased from our country are an important step in the achievement of NATO standards by the Macedonian army. We appreciate that our companies, which produce according to European standards and at low prices, will continue to contribute to the modernisation efforts of our ally, the Army of [the Republic of] North Macedonia, according to NATO standards.” (Source: Janes)
24 Jul 25. Sudan presents Safaroog OWA UAV. Sudan’s Military Industry Corporation (MIC) presented the Safaroog one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 being held in Istanbul from 22 to 27 July. The UAV is 2.88 m long and 0.91 m high, with a wingspan of 3.3 m. It has a 342 cc gasoline engine powering a two-blade pusher propellor that produces a cruising speed of 160 km/h and a maximum speed of 200 km/h, with a range of 300–600 km and an endurance of 2.5–4.5 hours. Its cruising altitude is 10,000 ft (3,048 m), with a ceiling of 15,000 ft (4,572 m). With a maximum take-off weight of 120 kg, the UAV can carry a payload of 40 kg with 16 litres of fuel, 30 kg with 25 litres, and 20 kg with 40 litres. Launch options include a catapult for a small payload and fuel load or a pneumatic launcher. The Safaroog features a SNAP-5 artificial intelligence (AI)-based autopilot, global navigation satellite services (GNSS)/inertial navigation system (INS), and an anti-jamming spoofing algorithm. Its communication range is 600 km. With a terminal attack angle greater than 60°, the UAV has a circle error probable of less than 10 m. An MIC representative told Janes on 23 July that the UAV is in Sudanese service and reported Middle Eastern interest in the vehicle, while declining to name specific countries. (Source: Janes)
23 Jul 25. Leonardo develops 120/L55 high-pressure gun. Leonardo announced in a press release on 18 July that it is developing and producing a 120/L55 high-pressure gun at its La Spezia site based on operational scenarios to replace 120/44 and 120 guns that equip the Ariete main battle tank (MBT) and Centauro II 8×8 fire-support vehicle. A company spokesperson told Janes on 18 July that the first test firings of the weapon were on 24 June. The 120/L55’s modular design makes it compatible with the turret of the upgraded Ariete C2 MBT with the Hitfact Mk II turret and also with special versions of new-generation infantry vehicles, according to Leonardo. The spokesperson said the new gun is “suited for tracked vehicles, [so] it can also fit into the future Italian MBT system”. Leonardo said the new gun can fire faster due to its longer barrel length with more shots at higher operating pressures than ammunition currently under development thanks to Leonardo’s new autofrettage process. (Source: Janes)
21 Jul 25. Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, (NYSE: AVNT), an innovator of materials solutions, today announces its third generation of Dyneema® Diamond fiber. Surpassing cut protection and light-weight performance of prior-generation fiber, the new material enables gloves to be made using a single yarn technology – delivering built-in cut resistance without the need for reinforcement yarns. The result is a significant enhancement of comfort, dexterity, and user safety. According to OSHA and the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 70% of workplace injuries result from unworn gloves. Dyneema® has been tackling this issue for over a decade through its market-leading Dyneema® Diamond fiber technology, which supports the creation of protective gear with unmatched strength, wearability, and reliability. This unyielding commitment to excellence has earned Dyneema® the trust of elite manufacturers in sectors, including automotive, medical, food, and heavy industry. With the new Dyneema® Diamond 3.0 fiber technology, the result of three years’ dedicated research, testing, and market research, Dyneema® raises the bar yet again, bringing unparalleled performance to industries where safety is non-negotiable. Gloves made with Dyneema® Diamond 3.0 are up to 40% lighter than those made with previous iterations of the fiber – a game-changer for user comfort. It also delivers breakthrough improvements in worker safety, with 6 times higher cut resistance than gloves made from generic HPPE fiber, and a +2 cut level compared to previous generations of Dyneema® fiber. Further advantages over other fibers include improved coating adhesion, higher fiber integrity, plus touchscreen friendliness. This all-around performance has been verified by robust, comprehensive testing at dedicated facilities in Europe and Asia. The results are clear: no other tested material can match Dyneema® Diamond 3.0’s performance against all key criteria of glove performance. These superior fiber attributes are made possible by patent-protected technology unique to Dyneema®, by which raw ingredient polymer is molecularly engineered for unrivaled strength, then enhanced with cut-resistant microparticles spun directly into the polymer. This technique, made possible by pioneering science and a custom engineering process, delivers another crucial benefit: enabling protective gloves to be made with single yarn technology, with no need for additional reinforcement yarns to achieve cut resistance. This opens up greater design flexibility and allows producers to craft silky-smooth gloves that keep hands agile and dexterous throughout the working day.
“Protective handwear needs to be so comfortable that users forget they’re wearing it,” explains Claudio Di Gregorio, Global Marketing Manager Mechanical Industrial for Dyneema®, Avient. “Third-generation Dyneema® Diamond fiber brings that ambition to life, providing outstanding cut performance on single yarn technology while reducing product weight by almost half. To workers in critical industries that keep the world moving, our message is simple: Dyneema® Diamond 3.0 puts the world’s strongest fiber™ in the palm of your hand. And it does so in a way that delivers reliable all-day wear.”
As one of the world’s only backward-integrated HPPE producers, Dyneema® maintains complete control over every stage of the fiber manufacturing process, from raw material to polymer and fiber production. This vertical integration means quality and performance can be guaranteed at every stage, allowing glove manufacturers to consistently deliver a fiber with superior performance, comfort, and durability.
“Dyneema® Diamond 3.0 is a testament to the talent and enthusiasm of everyone involved,” concludes Di Gregorio. “Chasing improvements at every level, we’re delivering – and surpassing – what the market demands. This latest innovation proves that we’ve got the technologies needed to handle the protective challenges of the manufacturing workforce.”
17 Jul 25. L3Harris unveils ‘wolf pack’ munitions with eyes on Marine Corps program. L3Harris has spent 10 years designing and developing the munitions and completed more than 40 test flights to date, with additional flights planned for this year. L3Harris today unveiled a pair of aerial munitions that are designed to be fired as swarms from a variety of platforms and provide kinetic effects, employ electronic warfare capabilities, or act as decoys for enemy fires. The munitions, which the company has dubbed Red Wolf and Green Wolf, have been successfully integrated onto a US Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper, and company executives stated the capability could be launched from other aerial, seaboard or ground platforms, but declined to name others citing customer sensitivity.
Red Wolf is a kinetic munition while Green Wolf is designed to employ electronic warfare capabilities or act a decoy, the executives said.
“Our launched effects ‘wolf pack’ provides U.S. military branches — regardless of platform — with a significant advantage in closing long-range kill chains, defeating adversarial threats in challenging environments and protecting assets,” said Ed Zoiss, president of space and airborne systems at L3Harris. “The Red Wolf and Green Wolf are lethal, modular, affordable and ready to hunt.”
L3Harris has spent 10 years designing and developing the munitions and completed more than 40 test flights to date, with additional flights planned for this year. The executives said that Red Wolf and Green Wolf are in low-rate initial production but declined to name specific customers. They also said the price per munition would be in the range of $300,000 to $500,000 per round. They also said Red and Green Wolf are targeting the Marine Corps’ Precision Attack Strike Missile program, which The War Zone reported is aiming to give the AH-1Z Viper fleet the kind of extended range the Marines anticipate will be needed in a fight in the Indo-Pacific. Speaking to reporters today, the executives said the wolf pack capability exceeded the service’s objectives.
Separate from the new munitions, L3Harris also announced plans today “to construct an extensive large solid rocket motor (LSRM) production campus.”
“Arkansas is a great place for L3Harris to fortify the domestic solid rocket motor industrial base, with its dedicated workforce and strong state and local partnerships,” said Christopher Kubasik, L3Harris’s CEO. “Large solid rocket motors are essential to our nation’s missile and strategic defense, and as the Trusted Disruptor, we are strengthening our ability to produce these systems rapidly and at scale, which is essential for current demand and the Golden Dome missile defense shield.” (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Breaking Defense.com)
17 Jul 25. First Multinational HIMARS Launch on Australian Soil Highlights Interoperability, Modernization. Multinational forces demonstrated integrated fires and maneuver capabilities across multiple domains during a combined joint live-fire exercise as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 in Queensland, Australia, July 14, 2025. The event brought together forces from several nations to synchronize long-range fires, armor movements and air defense in a realistic scenario designed to strengthen interoperability and regional deterrence. Senior military leaders and international observers watched as partner nations coordinated across all areas of the battlespace. The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System’s live-fire component underscored the ability of partner forces to rapidly deploy and share targeting data.
“For me, it’s like-minded nations bringing together their modern technology on the battlefield to train and work together,” said Army Lt. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, commanding general of I Corps. “What we have in mind is that no matter which country’s sensor detects a target, any other partner nation can engage the target.”
The scenario began with Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II joint strike fighters executing an initial airstrike to neutralize enemy air defenses. With air superiority established, HIMARS from the Australian Defence Force’s 10th Brigade, U.S. Army’s 17th Field Artillery Brigade and Singapore Armed Forces moved from concealed positions to deliver precision long-range fires. Targeting data was provided by a multinational intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance enterprise, including Australian integrator unmanned aerial system platforms. This event marked a historic first for the Australian army, its first HIMARS launch on home soil in cooperation with regional partners. The exercise also reflected Australia’s ongoing modernization efforts with domestically produced munitions expected to support future integration.
“Opportunities to live fire and train alongside our allies and partners as part of Talisman Sabre is critical to building true interoperability,” said Army Lt. Col. Edward Guelfi, commander of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Field Artillery Brigade. “These moments forge trust, sharpen readiness and send a clear message. We are united, capable and ready to deter any threat together.”
U.S. HIMARS crews fired guided multiple launch rocket systems to engage enemy targets identified during the preceding air assault, reinforcing the importance of a shared targeting picture. Following successful deep fires, joint forces shifted to the close battlespace. M777A2 155 mm howitzers from the Marine Corps and Australian Defence Force provided suppressive fires, clearing the way for South Korea K9A1 and K1A2 systems to deliver counterbattery effects and lead a simulated armored assault.
Guelfi highlighted the excitement and motivation felt by the soldiers in his brigade for the opportunity to train alongside the Australian Defence Force and Singapore Armed Forces.
“One key takeaway was how quickly our teams adapted to each other’s systems and procedures, highlighting that interoperability isn’t just about equipment, it’s about people, trust and shared commitment,” he said. “These exercises proved that our partnerships aren’t just symbolic, they’re operational, effective and growing stronger every day.”
The final phase took place in the rear area, where Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force Chu-SAM medium-range surface-to-air missile system was employed to defend against adversary air threats and protect critical assets. These integrated rear-area defenses are critical to ensuring freedom of maneuver and sustainment during multidomain operations. (Source: ASD Network)
22 Jul 25. 1st Firing for Australian NASAMS. The Australian Army’s air and missile defence capability took a step forward during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 when 16th Regiment’s National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) fired two AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles in the Northern Territory. The surface-to-air missile system was deployed to the remote Bradshaw Field Training Area, some 600 kilometres south of Darwin, where 16th Regiment soldiers successfully shot down a simulated cruise missile threat several kilometres away and thousands of feet in the sky. 111 Battery Air and Missile Defence Operator Gunner Seth Allen said the thrill of a live-fire wasn’t lost on the regiment’s soldiers.
“Honestly, it’s an honour being that close,” Gunner Allen said.
NASAMS forms part of the inner tier of Defence’s integrated air and missile defence: a network of ships, fighter aircraft and surface-to-air missiles designed to protect Australia from airborne threats such as enemy missiles or aircraft.
Major Talal Moutrage, in his role as an Air Defence Artillery Fire Control Officer, is a subject matter expert within the Air Command and Control Agency, integrating defensive fires into the joint air battle.
“We provide the critical integration with joint partners to ensure the protection of friendly aircraft and control the effective delivery of land defensive fires against airborne threats,” Major Moutrage said.
It was the third successful live fire for the air defence regiment, after the AIM-9 Sidewinder was tested from the high-mobility launcher at Woomera Test Range earlier this year. Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, held across Australia from July 13 to August 4, is the largest Australia-US bilaterally planned, multilaterally conducted exercise. More than 40,000 military personnel are taking part in activities across Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Papua New Guinea. (Source: ASD Network)
23 Jul 25. USAF Command Suspends M18 Pistol Use After Death of Security Airman. The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) has suspended the use of all Sig Sauer-manufactured M18 pistols following the death of a Security Forces airman at F.E. Warren Air Force Base over the weekend.
Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, head of Global Strike Command, announced in a July 21 memo that the command would temporarily suspend use of the M18 handgun for both training and operations, pending the outcome of the investigation into the recent incident. The memo also directed all AFGSC installations to conduct thorough inspections of their issued M18 pistols.
AFGSC spokesperson Charles “Moose” Hoffman confirmed the suspension.
“Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety and security of our personnel, the pause will remain in place pending the completion of comprehensive investigations by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the AFGSC Safety office,” Hoffman told Task & Purpose.
“Security Forces Airmen will be equipped with M4 rifles during this period,” Hoffman added.
The active-duty airman with the 90th Security Forces Squadron died on duty at the base early Sunday morning, according to a press release from the installation. The service member’s identity and the circumstances surrounding the death have not been released.
The Air Force has not confirmed whether the death involved an accidental discharge of the M18, noting only that “the discharge has not been categorized yet.”
The M18 is the compact variant of the Modular Handgun System selected by the Army in 2017 to replace the Beretta M9. It has since been adopted across U.S. military branches.
The pause comes amid renewed scrutiny of the M18 and its civilian counterpart, the P320, amid allegations of unintentional discharges. A recently released FBI report detailed a 2024 incident in which a Michigan State Police officer’s holstered M18 discharged without any trigger contact. The report concluded the officer was not handling the weapon at the time.
Days after the report surfaced, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a permanent ban on P320-series pistols.
Jason St. John, senior director of strategic products for Sig Sauer’s Defense Strategies Group, recently told The War Zone that the FBI’s testing was flawed.
“Sig Sauer continues to have full faith in the P320,” St. John said. “Due to the FBI manually manipulating the P320 sear improperly, Sig Sauer refutes the initial results.” (Source: ASD Network)
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
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.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————