Sponsored by Galvion
www.galvion.com
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
12 Aug 25. Galvion wins U.S. Marine Corps Integrated Helmet System contract. Galvion, a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative head systems, power and data management solutions, and integrated soldier systems, has been awarded the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Integrated Helmet System (IHS) contract. The five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract from the Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) has a maximum value of $131,396,296. Galvion’s customized Integrated Helmet System was developed over multiple years under the scope of an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) with Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) to meet the unique operational requirements of the U.S. Marine Corps. The Galvion IHS Solution is a functionally robust, USMC-mission-focused system that is optimized to meet all USMC technical requirements. The no-through hole, hi-cut helmet is a proprietary geometry (introduced commercially as the Hellbender™ platform earlier this year) that combines an ECH front shape for ease-of-integration with existing accessories and a ridged-back design that provides structural stability. It features the latest version of Galvion’s best-in-class Apex™ lining system, which includes improvements incorporated as a direct result of Marine feedback, resulting in a better-fitting, balanced and more stable helmet platform for SBNVG and ECOTI mounting. Galvion’s E.D.G™ power management system integrates easily, offering scalable operational capability for Marines. The helmet was designed to support single-size components (NVG shroud, rails, harness, accessory straps) for ease of maintenance and supply logistics, with a clear upgrade and support path through its service life.
Galvion designed, built and tested prototypes demonstrating technical capabilities and integration with current USMC equipment including communication devices and visual augmentation systems, and delivered over 1000 systems across two configurations to meet the Marine Corps trial and evaluation requirements:
- ‘Block 0’ Baseline System: helmet featuring NVD shroud with stabilization bumpers, IHS rails with NVG clips and O2 attachments, NVG bungees, External Loop Pattern, Battery Retention Straps, the latest APEX™ liner system, and a customized helmet cover with cable management.
- ‘Block 1’ Integrated System: built off Block 0, with the addition of the E.D.G scalable power pack, single and dual cables to power SBNVG & SBNVG with ECOTI, Integrated Strobe, Task Light and optional HED.
Todd Stirtzinger, CEO at Galvion said: “This is an incredibly proud moment for the entire Galvion team. This program has been a uniting force across our organization and has driven us to innovate, integrate and collaborate faster and better as a team. From the research and development done in our Warfighter Lab to design a more stable system, to the helmets produced in our Vermont facility, to the E.D.G power and data component coming out of our New Hampshire headquarters – this has been a true team effort.” He added: “The United States Marine Corps are some of the world’s most demanding users, and our solution offers them a fully integrated helmet system that has been designed specifically to evolve with technology to support the Marines advanced mission needs. The development process for this system highlights the Marine Corps Systems Command’s commitment to working with industry to find the absolute best solution for Marines. We had such a high level of engagement with users throughout this process – through the multiple Limited User Evaluations and Ballistic Testing events organized by the MCSC and the dozen additional Galvion internal sessions that they supported. We incorporated feedback after every evaluation stage to ultimately deliver a system that has been designed by Marines, for Marines. We look forward to continuing this collaborative process as we outfit Marines with our helmets and support their evolving needs for years to come.”
14 Aug 25. Nigeria requests $346m worth of guided and unguided weapons from US. Nigeria is looking to buy $346 m worth of munitions from the United States, including guided bombs and rockets, with the State Department approving the possible sale. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 13 August said it had notified Congress of the potential sale on Wednesday. Nigeria has requested to buy 1 002 Mk 82 general purpose 500 lb (226 kg) bombs; 1 002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups (AFGs) for 500 lb Paveway II GBU-12 bombs; 515 MXU-1006 AFGs for 250 lb (113 kg) Paveway II GBU-58 bombs; 1 517 MAU-169 or MAU-209 computer control group (CCG) for Paveway II GBU-12/GBU-58 bombs; 1 002 FMU-152 joint programmable fuzes; and 5 000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) all-up-rounds (AURs) (consisting of one each WGU-59/B guidance section; high-explosive warhead; and MK66-4 rocket motor). Also included in the potential sale are FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes; bomb components, impulse cartridges, and high-explosive and practice rockets; and support.
“The proposed sale will improve Nigeria’s capability to meet current and future threats through operations against terrorist organisations and to counter illicit trafficking in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea. Nigeria will have no difficulty absorbing these munitions into its armed forces,” the DSCA said.
The principal contractors will be RTX Missiles and Defense, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and BAE Systems. While not specifying which platforms the munitions are being acquired for, it is likely that they will be for the Nigerian Air Force’s A-29 Super Tucano light combat/trainer aircraft acquired via US company Sierra Nevada Corporation. They have been heavily used to combat Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, and other security threats in Nigeria. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
13 Aug 25. Ursa Major, in collaboration with BAE Systems, has completed a series of successful static fires for a new extended range variant of the solid rocket motor used for the APKWS® laser-guidance kit. This next-generation rocket motor incorporates Ursa Major’s Highly Loaded Grain propellant technology, delivering enhanced range and performance without increasing the motor’s size. The milestone marks significant progress toward a flight test demonstration planned for fall 2025, underscoring Ursa Major’s ability to rapidly develop, test, and deliver propulsion systems that meet urgent warfighter needs.
“Our collaboration with BAE Systems to extend the range of the APKWS guided rocket demonstrates how Ursa Major is accelerating SRM capability through innovation and speed,” said Dan Jablonsky, CEO of Ursa Major. “These successful tests validate our approach and set the stage for a flight test this fall and our ramp to provide critical SRM production capacity.”
Ursa Major’s HLG technology enables longer-range missile capabilities while maintaining the original form factor. This flexible design architecture supports reuse of manufacturing systems across multiple missile systems and integrates with Ursa Major’s Lynx Manufacturing System, a software-enabled, additive manufacturing production line that delivers scalability and speed without the bottlenecks of legacy industrial processes. BAE Systems’ APKWS guidance kit transforms unguided 2.75-inch rockets into smart laser-guided rockets for precision strikes. The guidance kit redefines precision munitions by hitting targets with pinpoint accuracy and minimal collateral damage, delivering critical lethality when it matters most. The kits are available to all U.S. armed forces, as well as allies via Foreign Military Sales. By combining proven hardware, rapid production, and a mission-agnostic manufacturing line, Ursa Major is reshaping the solid rocket motor landscape, unlocking urgently needed capacity for the U.S. and its allies. This successful static fire comes after the announcement validating similar capabilities of both 10″ diameter and 5″ diameter SRMs. (Source: PR Newswire)
14 Aug 25. Pakistan to create new force in military to supervise missiles after India conflict. Pakistan will create a new force in the military to supervise missile combat capabilities in a conventional conflict, apparently a move to match the neighbouring arch-rival India. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the creation of the Army Rocket Force late Wednesday at a ceremony held in Islamabad to commemorate the worst conflict in decades with India in May. Make sense of the latest ESG trends affecting companies and governments with the Reuters Sustainable Switch newsletter. Sign up here. The ceremony was held a day ahead of Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day.
“It will be equipped with modern technology,” Sharif said in a statement from his office, adding that the force will prove to be a milestone in strengthening the combat capability of Pakistan’s army.
He did not give any further details.
A senior security official, however, said that the force will have its own command in the military which will be dedicated to handling and deployment of missiles in any event of a conventional war.
“It is obvious that it is meant for India,” he said.
The two nuclear-armed nations keep upgrading their military capabilities in the wake of a longstanding rivalry since their independence from British rule in 1947. The latest tension between the two countries soared in April over the killing of 26 civilians in Indian Kashmir, an attack New Delhi blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan denied involvement. A conflict then erupted in May, the most serious fighting between the two countries in decades, which saw both sides using missiles, drones and fighter jets before it ended with a cease-fire announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump. Islamabad acknowledges the U.S. role, but India denies it, saying it was agreed directly between the two militaries. (Source: Reuters)
13 Aug 25. Pentagon Golden Dome to have 4-layer defense system, slides show.
- Summary
- Four layers include satellites and land-based missile systems
- Proposal shows 11 short-range missile batteries across the US
- Uncertain number of launchers, interceptors, ground stations
- Pentagon says Golden Dome planning in ‘early stages’
The Trump administration’s flagship Golden Dome missile defense system will include four layers — one satellite-based and three on land — with 11 short-range batteries located across the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii, according to a U.S. government slide presentation on the project first reported by Reuters. The slides, tagged “Go Fast, Think Big!” were presented to 3,000 defense contractors in Huntsville, Alabama, last week and reveal the unprecedented complexity of the system, which faces an ambitious 2028 deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. (Source: Reuters)
12 Aug 25. Milrem Robotics and Frontline Integrate THeMIS UGV and BURIA RWS into a Unified Combat Support System. Milrem Robotics, a global leader in robotic and autonomous systems, in collaboration with Ukrainian defence technology company Frontline, has successfully integrated the BURIA remote weapon station, equipped with a 40mm automatic grenade launcher, onto the THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle. The integration was validated during live-fire trials in Ukraine under operationally relevant conditions, marking a significant step forward in the development of unmanned combat support capabilities. The combination of the BURIA RWS with Milrem’s reliable THeMIS platform enabled precise target engagement at distances of up to 1,100 meters while keeping operators safely out of harm’s way.
“This successful demonstration verifies the reliability and accuracy of the BURIА-THeMIS integration,” said Paul Clayton, Director of Industrial Partnerships at Milrem Robotics. “It highlights the expanding role of robotic platforms in improving tactical effectiveness and operator safety on the modern battlefield.”
During the live-fire trial, the THeMIS Combat demonstrated excellent stability and target tracking, confirming the accuracy and effectiveness of this remotely operated fire support system. The successful firing further highlights the versatility of the THeMIS platform in handling various kinetic payloads.
“This is a vivid example of Ukrainian innovation combined with European engineering,” said Yevhen Tretiak, CEO of Frontline. “At Frontline, we believe the future of modern warfare belongs to robotic systems. BURIA is part of our vision for a robotic frontline — where drones perform defensive and offensive operations while soldiers remain out of harm’s way. Together, we’re fast-tracking these technologies to the frontlines.”
Further live-fire testing and tactical validation will continue in the coming weeks to assess performance across a range of battlefield scenarios. The data collected will help inform future system upgrades and potential deployment strategies. The THeMIS was the first unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) in its class to be deployed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the war against russia. Today, it is widely recognized as the most capable UGV currently operating in Ukraine.
12 Aug 25. The BURIA grenade launcher RWS has been in service with military units since January 2025 and is now in serial production. The system is actively integrated into combat support units through a first-in-class training program designed specifically for frontline deployment. Cummings Aerospace Unveils Enhanced Hellhound S4 Drone for Homeland Defence. Cummings Aerospace has unveiled its latest Hellhound S4 drone variant, designed specifically for homeland defence applications. The announcement was made at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama, where the new model drew attention from military strategists and industry specialists. The S4 is an evolution of the existing S3 drone, but with enhancements for air defence roles in line with government initiatives such as President Trump’s proposed Golden Dome missile defence programme. Sheila Cummings, CEO of Cummings Aerospace, said mobility and multimission capability were “foundational elements for tactical success in layered defence strategies like Golden Dome.” Key upgrades to the S4 include payload versatility, enabling it to serve as a loitering munition, conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, or operate as a low-cost cruise missile. Its modular design, featuring a removable nose, allows rapid reconfiguration, while its operational weight of up to 45 pounds marks a significant increase over the 12 to 14 pounds of the S3. The S4 is currently in engineering development, with prototype construction under way and flight testing scheduled to begin next spring. Production will follow the scalable manufacturing processes used for the S3, reflecting the defence sector’s increasing requirement for rapid production at scale. Much of the Hellhound air vehicle is produced using commercially available 3D printing technology, enabling faster prototyping and manufacturing. Cummings highlighted the importance of sourcing standard parts from multiple suppliers to “mitigate risks associated with single-source dependency.” The company’s location near Redstone Arsenal, a key hub for Army aviation testing and development, supports efficient coordination for production and integration of defence technologies. Over the past 16 years, Cummings Aerospace has contributed to the development of interceptors, sensors and command-and-control systems, building its reputation in missile defence technology. By focusing on both domestic production capacity and international partnerships, Cummings Aerospace aims to meet growing demand for advanced aerial defence systems. Its ability to produce more than 100 S3 units each month will be applied to the S4 to support rapid deployment needs. With its emphasis on multi mission capability, scalable manufacturing and distributed supply chains, the S4 programme reflects a future-oriented approach to national security. Cummings Aerospace’s work positions it to play a central role in layered defence strategies such as Golden Dome. (Source: UAS VISION/Defence Industry Europe)
11 Aug 25. US Army describe vision to implement leaner IAMD pockets. Next steps emerge in vision for the Golden Dome layered air and missile defence network. Earlier this week, Commander of US Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), Lieutenant General Sean A. Gainey, described plans to implement lighter units in the battlespace. Gainey noted that mid-century combat will comprise “tailorable formations that can be dis-aggregated across terrain for defense and to create pockets of air and missile superiority where needed most.” These pockets will be enabled by the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) pulling data from multiple sensor nodes across the joint force to create one composite firing solution. This level of coordination “sparks a fundamental change in how we fight”, Gainey observed. Army Technology learned that this central command system will enable a coordinated effect at the tactical level by allowing soldiers to access the system through a mobile application. Northrop Grumman, the original equipment manufacturer, are in discussions with the Army to determine requirements for this, but the company expects to deliver the app within the next five years. At the same time, Gainey identified that “combat credibility demands a strong focus on developing resilient space systems and counter-space capabilities to protect US assets and deny adversaries access to space. “Both Russia and China have made it clear that they intend to compete with us in space. We must make it clear that it’s a competition they can’t win.” (Source: army-technology.com)
08 Aug 25. Rheinmetall, Euroatlas announce strategic partnership for Greyshark AUV. German defence technologies company Euroatlas has joined forces with Rheinmetall to further advance the capabilities of its Greyshark autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Under the strategic partnership, announced by the two companies on 6 August, Euroatlas’ Greyshark AUV will be integrated into Rheinmetall’s new Battlesuite integrated digital platform. Launched in late May, Battlesuite is an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled command-and-control (C2) platform designed for networked military systems. It features a plug-and-play architecture that simultaneously integrates heterogeneous systems and technologies regardless of manufacturer or the age of systems. According to Euroatlas, the integration of GreyShark with the Battlesuite architecture will support selected coastal defence use cases, where Battlesuite acts as the digital backbone of Rheinmetall’s ‘system-of-systems’ infrastructure for maritime operations. First unveiled at the Euronaval 2024 exhibition in Paris, Euroatlas’ Greyshark is a large, long-endurance multimission AUV capable of undertaking roles including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); anti-submarine warfare; mine countermeasures (MCM); and critical underwater infrastructure (CUI) protection. The AUV is equipped with an integrated suite of 17 active and passive sensors and a modular AI software stack developed in partnership with EvoLogics. Two prototypes are currently under development, ‘Bravo’ (battery-powered) and ‘Foxtrot’ (hydrogen fuel-cell-powered), both of which incorporate the same technology and capabilities but with slight differences in dimensions and endurance. (Source: Janes)
11 Aug 25. Russia says it continued development of nuclear missiles during moratorium on deployment. Russia kept up development of intermediate- and shorter-range missile systems during a moratorium on their deployment and now possesses a substantial arsenal of such weapons, Russian media reported late on Sunday citing Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
“When the moratorium was announced, we made it clear that it applied only to deployment, and did not mention any halt to (research and development) activities,” RIA news agency quoted Ryabkov as telling state-run Rossiya-1 state broadcaster in an interview. (Source: Reuters)
08 Aug 25. AV and SNC Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver Golden Dome for America “Limited Area Defense” Architecture. AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space and cyber, and SNC, the global aerospace and national security company known for its elite mission systems integration expertise, today announced a strategic partnership to align multi-domain capabilities to define and build the next generation of integrated, open architecture air & missile defense in support of the Golden Dome for America (GDA).
“The Trump Administration understands what has been a long-held belief within the defense industry – there is an immediate and critical need for a layered system that provides a last line of defense to protect America against current threats and next-generation aerial attacks from near-peer and rogue nations,” said Wahid Nawabi, AV Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Together, AV and SNC can rapidly provide novel and affordable defensive solutions, ensuring unmatched limited area ‘under-dome’ protection for critical U.S. infrastructure.”
AV and SNC are building a proven industrial base team focused on providing comprehensive, layered defenses within GDA, that shield specific, limited-area, high-value locations, such as bases, ships, airfields or critical infrastructure, but then can extend its range as new sensors and interceptors are brought online, particularly from space. AV and SNC are integrating and aligning existing, open architecture solutions using passive and active sensing, radio frequency, directed energy, kinetic energy, electronic warfare and cyber solutions, addressing the complete kill chain to neutralize group 1-4 unmanned aerial systems (UAS), advanced cruise missiles and other next-generation aerial threats. Additionally, SNC sister company, Sierra Space, and AV are exploring synergies to address critical GDA challenges.
“An ambitious, next-generation shield that protects the American homeland from more complex threats requires industry ingenuity and collaboration on par with the Manhattan Project,” said SNC CEO Fatih Ozmen. “With our legacy of complex systems integration and open architecture expertise, SNC is thrilled to work with AV to bring together complementary capabilities and cutting-edge technologies to make Americans safer.” (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
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.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–