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29 Jan 26. Breakthroughs in Testing Solid-Fuel Ramjets Advance Research. Scientists at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory are developing the next generation of solid-fuel ramjet propulsion, addressing one of the field’s most persistent challenges: understanding and predicting what happens inside an operating combustor. NRL scientists have figured out how to “see inside” one of the most extreme engines ever built, turning guesswork into knowledge and making future long-range, high-speed flight more achievable than ever before. A solid-fuel ramjet is an air-breathing engine that uses solid fuel rather than liquid, offering high energy density and mechanically simple propulsion by burning the fuel with oxygen from the air to produce thrust. By drawing oxygen from the atmosphere rather than carrying an oxidizer on board, solid-fuel ramjets can carry more fuel in the same volume and fly farther than traditional rocket systems.
“If you replace all the oxidizer and instead use oxygen from the air to burn your fuel, you can increase range by up to 200 to 300% in the same form factor,” said Brian Bojko, a combustion scientist at NRL.
Despite that promise, widespread adoption has been slowed by the extreme internal environment of solid-fuel ramjets, where high temperatures, soot and rapidly evolving flow structures prevent traditional probes from accessing critical data. Unlike liquid or gaseous fuels, solid fuels release energy through surface regression and often produce a complex mixture of combustion products, making it far more difficult to control burning rates and predict performance. This is why understanding and predicting what happens inside an operating combustor is so important.
“In solid-fuel ramjets, you don’t have direct control over the mass flow rate like you do with liquid systems,” Bojko explained. “The heat from combustion actually drives the gasification of the solid fuel, so pressure, temperature and airflow all feed back into how the engine behaves.”
Without detailed measurements of flame temperature, fuel regression and fuel-vapor transport, designers have historically relied on trial-and-error approaches.
“A lot of the design has been kind of Edisonian,” Bojko said. “You take a guess, test it and iterate. But without seeing the physics inside the combustor, it’s hard to know if you’re getting the right answer for the right reason.”
At the same time, computational approaches such as Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes and Detached Eddy Simulation have been limited by a lack of high-quality experimental data for validation.
RANS, DES and`Large Eddy Simulation represent increasing levels of physical realism in turbulence simulation, where more turbulent structures are directly resolved rather than modeled. Moving from RANS to DES to LES brings simulations closer to the true flow physics, especially for unsteady flows, but at a significantly higher computational cost. Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes models capture most of the turbulence and are computationally efficient but less accurate for unsteady flows. Detached Eddy Simulation resolves large turbulent structures while modeling smaller ones, balancing accuracy and cost. LES resolves most turbulent motion directly, offering the highest accuracy at the highest computational expense.
“With only a few pressure or temperature points, you can match a simulation to an experiment and still be wrong,” Bojko said. “Optical access lets us validate the flame structure, recirculation zones and combustion species directly.”
Seeing Flame Temperature in Real Time
To address these gaps, researchers employed optical diagnostics capable of operating in the harsh, particle-laden environment of a solid-fuel ramjet combustor. Measuring flame temperature is especially important, Bojko said, because models often assume combustion efficiency rather than measure it.
“These diagnostics give us new data we simply didn’t have before,” said David Kessler, a senior computational scientist at NRL. “They allow us to measure gas-phase species and temperatures in an environment where traditional probes just don’t work.”
The chemistry behind how solid fuels decompose and feed the flame is just as important as measuring the flame itself, according to researchers. As heat from the flame feeds back into the fuel surface, the solid polymer undergoes phase change and chemical breakdown, releasing a complex mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons that sustain combustion.
“You have this continuous feedback loop,” said Brian Fisher, a combustion research engineer at NRL. “The flame heats the fuel, the fuel decomposes into gas-phase species, and those species then mix with the air and keep the flame going. It’s a coupled thermal, chemical and fluid-dynamic process, and that’s what makes solid-fuel ramjets both powerful and challenging to predict.”
Mapping Fuel Regression and Validating Models
Understanding how quickly the solid fuel surface recedes, known as fuel regression, is critical because it directly governs thrust and performance. The team combined experimental diagnostics with high-fidelity simulations to resolve heat feedback to the fuel surface, a key driver of regression.
“One of the biggest things you need to capture is the heat transfer back to the solid fuel,” Bojko said. “RANS can give you an OK answer, but it doesn’t resolve the fundamental processes as well as DES or Large Eddy Simulation. Those higher-fidelity approaches cost more computationally, but they give you a much better picture of what’s happening.”
Visualizing Fuel Vapor Before It Burns
For the first time, the researchers also visualized fuel vapor released from the solid surface before ignition, revealing how complex hydrocarbon species mix and evolve prior to combustion. Solid-fuel ramjets commonly use hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene, a long-chain polymer that breaks down into many different gaseous species.
“When HTPB decomposes, you don’t know what species are coming off the surface, and those species dictate the combustion mechanism,” Bojko said. “They change with temperature, pressure and heat flux, so being able to characterize them is critical to understanding the underlying mechanisms across different flight conditions.”
In parallel, NRL researchers are investigating advanced composite fuels designed to increase the energy density of solid fuel in the same volume.
“We’re interested in adding energetic additives, like metal particles, into polymer fuels to increase their energy density,” said Clayton Geipel, a combustion research engineer at NRL. “As the fuel burns, those particles are released into the flame and ignite, giving you more energy from the same volume of fuel. That directly translates into greater potential range for future systems.”
“You want to jam as much energy content into that block of fuel as you can while still having a reasonable rate of combustion; that’s the challenge,” said Albert Epshteyn, materials scientist at NRL.
Although metals can have slightly lower energy per unit mass than hydrocarbons, their much higher density allows more total energy to be packed into the same volume, a critical advantage for compact, long-range systems.
Reducing Risk and Accelerating
Together, these diagnostics and simulations transform solid-fuel ramjet combustion from a largely inferred process into a measurable, predictable system. The validated models allow researchers to conduct design iterations computationally before moving to costly experiments.
“Our main objective is to reduce risk,” Bojko said. “If we have validated computational models, we can do design iterations much more efficiently in terms of cost and time and narrow down the physics before we ever go to full-scale testing.”
Kessler emphasized the broader impact.
“NRL is developing technologies that help accelerate the transition of solid-fuel ramjets, technology that can significantly increase the range of next-generation high-speed systems,” he said.
Building on that foundation, the team is now focused on bridging the gap between small-scale laboratory experiments and real-world propulsion systems.
“All of our work right now happens at small-scale facilities in idealized, optically accessible geometries,” Geipel said. “That’s what allows us to make detailed measurements, but there are still important questions about how those results apply to a full-scale, enclosed ramjet.”
While small-scale experiments reveal detailed physics, scaling those results to full-size engines remains a central uncertainty in the field. The next phase of the research will focus on extending these validated tools and models to larger, more representative test configurations. This intermediate step preserves diagnostic access while introducing greater geometric and physical realism. That progression is designed to ensure the physics and chemistry observed in the lab translate reliably to operational propulsion systems. By integrating optical diagnostics, detailed chemistry and validated simulations across multiple scales, the research provides the propulsion community with tools to reduce uncertainty, shorten development timelines and enable future high-speed air-breathing propulsion technologies. (Source: U.S. DoD)
29 Jan 26. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) signed a framework agreement with the Department of War (DoW) to quadruple the production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors, from 96 to 400 interceptors per year. This announcement builds on the first-of-its-kind agreement signed between the parties earlier this month to accelerate production of PAC-3® Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors. Also in support of its production ramp activities, Lockheed Martin will break ground today on a new Munitions Acceleration Center in Camden, Ark. This world-class facility will prepare the workforce of the future to build THAAD, PAC-3 and other capabilities using advanced manufacturing, robotics and digital technologies.
THE BIG PICTURE
The continued partnership between the DoW and Lockheed Martin will increase production of THAAD interceptors from its current 96 per year over the next seven years. Lockheed Martin will work with the U.S. government toward an initial contract award on the THAAD framework agreement, expected in the final fiscal year 2026 Congressional appropriations and other sources of funding.
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT
- Multibn-Dollar Investment: Lockheed Martin has invested more than $7 bn since President Donald Trump’s first term to expand capacity for priority systems, including approximately $2 bn dedicated to accelerating munitions production. Lockheed Martin is planning a multibn-dollar investment over the next three years to expand production and build and modernize more than 20 facilities in Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Massachusetts and Texas. This includes upgrading existing facilities and incorporating advanced manufacturing techniques, production lines, tooling and plant layouts to meet urgent production demand.
- Timeline: The THAAD framework agreement is the second signed between Lockheed Martin and the DoW, with the first of its kind for the entire industry signed earlier this month for PAC-3 MSE interceptors.
- Manufacturing Details: Lockheed Martin has more than 340,000 square feet of dedicated operations space in the U.S. for THAAD, with more than 2,000 U.S. employees supporting the program currently.
- American Job Growth: Lockheed Martin is now creating tens of thousands of high-quality American jobs across manufacturing, engineering and skilled trades to meet rising production demands.
- 10 Years of Increased Deliveries: Since 2016, Lockheed Martin has increased deliveries of six critical munitions by more than 220% and plans an additional 245%+ increase to support delivery of PAC-3 and THAAD capability. This has resulted in manufacturing jobs growth of more than 60% since President Trump’s first term, with additional growth of ~50% projected by 2030 to sustain higher production rates.
EXPERT PERSPECTIVES
“We are committed to further building on the Department of War’s vision for advancing acquisition reform with additional framework agreements for the critical munitions needed by the U.S. military and our allies. Today’s agreement to quadruple THAAD production means we will have more interceptors available than ever before to deter our adversaries,” said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Jim Taiclet.
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.
28 Jan 26. nLIGHT, Inc. (Nasdaq: LASR), a leading provider of high-power lasers for mission-critical directed energy, optical sensing, and advanced manufacturing applications, today announced it has added 50,000 square feet of leased manufacturing and office space to expand its existing facilities in Longmont, Colorado. The additional space will more than double the Company’s current capacity and enable the continued expansion of its beam-combined high-energy laser (HEL) manufacturing to support ongoing and future work for the U.S. Department of War (DoW) and other U.S. agencies.
“This investment in additional manufacturing space represents nLIGHT’s commitment to support our nation’s efforts to field directed energy laser weapons with expanded U.S. manufacturing,” commented Scott Keeney, nLIGHT’s Chairman and CEO. “It is also a testament to the Company’s commitment to invest in our own capabilities to accelerate the development of products and solutions that are vital to help safeguard our country’s security. Having already delivered a number of successful prototypes, the expanded footprint is an important next step as we work to increase the capacity of our U.S.-based HEL manufacturing, allowing us to meet growing demand for directed energy lasers.”
Leveraging 25 years of laser power scaling expertise and proprietary coherent beam combination technology, nLIGHT’s vertically integrated approach to HEL manufacturing – from semiconductor chip to fiber amplifier to beam combined laser – coupled with its U.S.-based manufacturing, has consistently delivered industry-leading systems to the DoW and our nation’s allies. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
28 Jan 26. The role of heavy metal on the technological front line: where do platforms go from here? On Ukraine’s front lines, a small robot trawls through the dark, laden with supplies. Against long odds, this Uncrewed Ground Vehicle delivers a lifeline to the warfighter who depends on it. Whether platforms can go the distance and deliver the required effect is increasingly defined by the mission systems they’re equipped with – the sensor suites, autonomy modules and C4ISR capabilities that turn a technological edge into an advantage. As Human Autonomy Teams go, this serves as just one discrete example among many. Platforms, of course, predominate. However, their ability to achieve the desired results increasingly depends on the mission systems they are equipped with, which transform technological superiority into a competitive advantage.
Mission systems: the ‘secret sauce’ behind a platform’s value and lethality
As the Minister of State for the Armed Forces warned of the “shadow of war knocking on Europe’s door”, UK MoD is shifting gears to meet an urgent, unerring need: to keep its armed forces agile enough to stay ahead of the threat and lethal enough to deter it altogether. The role of platforms in meeting this need is not in doubt. But if they are doing the heavy lifting, then it is the mission systems on top that fine-tune the solution. One only has to consider the £1bn earmarked for the Digital Targeting Web, described by General Sir Jim Hockenhull as bringing “a step change in lethality”, to get an idea of what that solution could look like: an interconnected network of AI-enabled sensors, deciders and effectors to help British Army operators, in the context of Project ASGARD, see first and strike fast.
The timing of the Army’s new framing as a ‘20-40-40’ force is not a coincidence. On paper, 20% of its combat capability will come from technologically advanced, high-spec “survivable platforms”. In practice, these platforms – and their operators – will be able to punch above their weight. Behind all the speeches, strategies and initiatives is an unequivocally clear desired strategic end state. The British Army must become – and must remain – a protected, connected, digitally-enabled and absolutely lethal force.
Augmenting the platform to enhance the operator
If the ‘ends’ have been well-defined, then the ‘ways and means’ are increasingly delivered by mission systems that can make operators safer, more decisive, more dangerous and more situationally aware beyond the metal hull.
“Take the TrueHunter gimbal sight. Its ability to identify and track targets on the move – and at increased range – helps commanders and gunners deftly coordinate and execute recce-strike operations, enabled by a seamless handover of targets.
“Combine this with the RS4 stabilised weapons system, TrueGuardian Threat Detection and Thales’ DigitalCrew, and hunter-killer teams become – like the platforms they operate – far greater than the sum of the parts: a network of organic and synthetic eyes, ears and instinct to deliver tactical advantage,” says Jonathan, Head of Land Sales at Thales.
DigitalCrew™, a domain, platform and sensor-agnostic suite of algorithms, assists soldiers in armoured vehicles. It enhances and augments what they ‘see’ through sensors and alerts them to what is different, dangerous, or of interest.
Such a reality is neither remote nor unattainable. GVA-compliant platforms like the Hippo Multipower Raptor UGV – designed to UK MoD open-architecture standards that allow rapid integration and upgrade of mission systems – are rolling out of the lab, off the production line and on to where they are needed most
Rigorous experimentation for real-world implementation
Similarly, initiatives like the Land Digital Robotics and Autonomous Systems Integration Capability (L-DRIC), a DSTL-funded programme, are acting both as vanguard and testbed for this sort of capability. The aim is to give operators the means of sensing the battlefield without stepping foot or training eyes on it. From a technical perspective, this involves beyond visual line of sight operation of multiple uncrewed ground and air systems from a crewed platform that’s positioned away from the immediate action.
“Working alongside DSTL, Catalyst and Digital Concepts Engineering, Thales developed trials for L-DRIC during which a single operator controlled three uncrewed vehicles – including Raptor – demonstrating how robotic and autonomous systems (RAS) can be integrated with crewed command vehicles through a unified digital system,” says Jonathan.
Although three uncrewed vehicles were used in the recent trials, this is by no means the limit of the capability. It would be possible to also include fixed winged capability as L-DRIC emulates a combat platform system with full UK DEF STAN 23-009 GVA installation. With sufficient processing power, the digital twin eco-system could incorporate a whole battlegroup simulation that could be rapidly configured down to individual sensor and effector levels. The extension of GVA electronic architecture into RAS force integration has been critical to enabling the rapid sharing of information across the whole eco-system.
This is a UK first. It will not be the last. The physical platforms and systems involved in L-DRIC were digitally twinned, allowing for rapid testing and scaling of new and existing capabilities in a virtual environment without the effort, cost and risk of buying hardware and conducting physical trials.
The lessons learned and successes earned from L-DRIC can be laced through wider defence business: how to pull a TRL-6 capability through to fieldable product at speed; how to help MOD make the most of its existing investments; and how to keep operators lethal without making them targets.
The procurement imperative: investing in software-enhanced mission systems
With every passing week comes new peril, a stark warning, a technology turned on – then turned on the West. Threats proliferate and cross-pollinate across domains. Any advantage gained by either side is slim and fleeting. This is neither new nor news; the nature of war remains unchanged just as its character can become unrecognisable in months.
When it comes to armoured mobility, heavy metal might be enough to make do but it is not enough to make better. The platforms exist – and where they don’t, the programmes to replace them do. As the shadow of war starts knocking louder and louder, what is needed are three distinct but complementary things:
- a focus on rapidly upgradable, spirally-developed mission systems;
- a network of highly qualified, high-quality SMEs to design, develop and deliver the systems, and
- integrators who can ensure these systems all contribute to a faster, tighter and more lethal sensor-to-shooter chain.
For these to work – and work well – we need common standards, open architectures and a platform-agnostic approach to sensors, data fusion and effectors. Technologically, we are already there. Technically, we are not far behind. But if the UK is to meet its aggressive lethality goals, then procurement and upgrade strategy must recognise that money is best spent on the software-enhanced mission systems that turn platforms into force multipliers.
27 Jan 26. Norway’s parliament on Tuesday approved a $2bn procurement plan for long-range artillery to boost the NATO country’s deterrence against Russia in the Arctic, where the two nations share a border. European countries are in the midst of hiking defence spending, under pressure to do so by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and unnerved by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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“These are weapons that can reach far behind enemy lines… this is decisive in modern warfare,” Peter Froelich, the defence policy spokesperson for the opposition Conservatives, told parliament on Tuesday.
SOUTH KOREAN VS U.S. SUPPLIER
Norwegian daily Aftenposten, citing anonymous sources, on January 24 reported that the government has selected South Korean defence contractor Hanwha Aerospace’s Chunmoo artillery system, beating U.S. Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS. Some members of Norway’s parliament have said the Nordic country should help develop a European missile alternative, but this has been dismissed as too time-consuming and costly by government officials charged with making the selection. The South Korean system met all requirements set by Norway for the ground-based artillery, including the ability to fire at a range of up to 500 km (310 miles), and had the quickest delivery time, according to the Aftenposten report.
Norway’s defence ministry, which is expected to soon announce the contract winner, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The ministry has said it plans to acquire 16 launch systems along with an undisclosed number of rockets for a total cost of 19.5bn crowns ($2.0bn). Hanwha Aerospace last year signed an agreement with Polish defence company WB Electronics to form a joint venture producing missiles in Poland, including for the Chunmoo rocket artillery, ensuring manufacturing on European soil. ($1 = 9.7484 Norwegian crowns) (Source: Reuters)
26 Jan 26. Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel, announced today the launch of the new Ops-Core AMP Helmet Rail Mount with Vent Mode for its industry-leading AMP Communication Headset. Designed and developed directly with end-user input, this enhanced product preserves the trusted quality, form factor, adjustability, and durability of the original Helmet Rail Mount Kit while introducing enhanced airflow, comfort and stability. The new AMP Helmet Rail Mount Kit with Vent Mode introduces a three-position system: Deployed, Vented, and Stowed. This configuration gives warfighters better control over comfort, ventilation, and communication capability in real time. In the new Vent Mode position, the earcups shift slightly off the ears to improve airflow and relieve seal pressure while still allowing effective monitoring of communications. Importantly, Ops-Core Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) Earplugs remain fully engaged in Vent Mode, providing increased noise reduction while preserving clear communications and 3D Hear-Through when used with NFMI-enabled Ops-Core headsets.
“Our customers operate in the world’s most demanding environments, and their feedback is crucial for innovation,” said Peter Harbeck, Segment Director – SOF at Gentex Corporation. “The AMP Helmet Rail Mount Kit with Vent Mode is a direct result of listening to operators who needed a better way to manage heat and comfort without losing communications. We’ve kept the same rock-solid durability and adjustability of the original design while adding an essential enhancement.”
The new rail mount maintains the same familiar form factor, world-class durability and rugged performance as the original AMP Rail Mount. It is designed to offer increased stability during dynamic movements and remains fully compatible with Ops-Core NFMI Earplugs for double hearing protection. The AMP Rail Mount with Vent Mode is available in three colors: tan 499, black, and ranger green. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
27 Jan 26. Estonia nears decision on which missile defense system to buy. Estonia is gearing up to acquire a missile defense system, participating in broader efforts by the Baltic States to boost investments in expanding their air-defense network. The country’s authorities said they plan to select the supplier by the end of March, earmarking up to €1 bn ($1.2 bn) for the purchase. The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI), the institution that implements the country’s arms and military equipment procurements, is doing the requisite analytical work for picking the system.
“This means all potential manufacturers have been contacted and provided with detailed information about Estonia’s specific requirements,” Krismar Rosin, a spokesperson for the ECDI, told Defense News.
Tallinn has not disclosed which solutions are currently under evaluation. However, the potential contenders include the Patriot system, a weapon produced by Raytheon, a unit of RTX Corp.; the SAMP/T NG system manufactured by Eurosam, a French-Italian joint venture consisting of Thales and MBDA; and David’s Sling, a solution offered by Israeli defense company Rafael Advanced Systems that was co-developed by Raytheon.
Asked about the expected timeline for the system’s selection, Rosin said that a decision will be made by the end of March 2026 at the latest.
At the same time, “it is very difficult to estimate when a contract might be signed. However, the goal is to conclude the deal as quickly as possible,” the spokesperson added.
Acquisition officials expect that the Estonian Defence Forces could obtain the system in around four years’ time.
“Once the procurement contract is in place, it will still take several years for the air defense batteries to arrive in Estonia” and the system’s delivery in the year “2030 as an estimate seems a feasible deadline,” Rosin said.
With regards to the planned acquisition’s value, the spokesperson said the final cost will depend on the selected system and the number of launchers and missiles to be procured. Estimates range from “few hundred m” to one bn euros, according to the government.
Completing the missile defense acquisition will be one of the main challenges for Elmar Vaher who was appointed in January 2026 as the ECDI’s new director general. Vaher previously served as the head of Estonia’s Police and Border Guard Board.
Speaking on the occasion of Vaher’s appointment to his new role at the ECDI, Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said in a statement the “centre today is an organization with a rapidly growing team that manages bns of euros in defense investments”.
Back in 2010, Estonia’s defense-related procurements and investments were worth only around €57.3 m, according to data from the center.
In the aftermath of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Estonia and the remaining two Baltic States, Latvia and Lithuania, have reacted by boosting their military expenditure and accelerating procurements of new weapons and gear. Last year, Estonia spent a total of €1.38 bn on defense, which captured 3.3% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). In 2026, the nation’s military expenditure is to pass the 5% threshold for the first time in history.
“In order to strengthen the defense capabilities of Estonia, at least 5% of the GDP will be allocated to national defense in 2026 in accordance with NATO criteria – that is €844.5 m more than this year. Investments in air and missile defense, drone capabilities, as well as long-range and precision strikes are increasing,” the Estonian government said in a statement. “An air defense brigade and new engineer battalions will be established”.
Some of Estonia’s latest defense acquisitions include the December 2025 contract to buy six K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers. The deal to buy the launchers and related equipment from South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace is worth around €290 m.
In neighboring Latvia, defense spending is also on the rise. Last December, the country’s parliament approved the nation’s record-high 2026 defense budget, which foresees allocating 4.91% of the Latvian GDP, or €2.16 bn ($2.51 bn), to the military. Together with Estonia, Latvia has ordered the IRIS-T medium-range air defense system from Germany’s Diehl Defence.
The third Baltic State, Lithuania, is also increasing its military expenditure, which is to reach almost 5.4% of its GDP in 2026, or close to €4.8 bn. The defense spending hike is facilitating a number of major acquisitions of tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and other equipment. The country’s military modernization push has also triggered the acquisition of the NASAMS mid-range air defense system, a weapon developed by Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. (Source: Defense News)
23 Jan 26. FN Herstal and Cervus Defence & Security announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a significant milestone in the development of their collaboration centred on cutting-edge military training technologies. Under this agreement, the two organisations will deepen their technical cooperation and align their strategic objectives in the field of small‑arms marksmanship training. The partnership brings together advanced FN® E-NOVATION weapon sensors and measurement optics with Cervus’ Xcalibr™ platform, a data‑analysis solution designed to support marksmanship training throughout the entire training lifecycle. By combining their complementary areas of expertise, FN Herstal and Cervus aim to deliver innovative training solutions that are both more integrated and more data‑driven, dramatically enhancing user performance at every stage of the training process. This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of both organisations to responsibly enhancing warfighter lethality, effectiveness and operational readiness through innovation, technological integration and training grounded in objective data analysis.
26 Jan 26. India showcases new hypersonic missile in military parade. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased its new Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AshM) in a military parade to mark the country’s 77th Republic Day on 26 January. The LR-AshM, which is under development and incorporates a two‑stage solid‑propellant rocket motor system, was among several new military platforms displayed at the event held on Kartavya Path in New Delhi. Other new systems seen in the parade included unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), an artillery platform, and a surveillance system. According to India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), the LR-AshM has been designed by the DRDO to meet the “coastal battery” requirements of the Indian Navy.
“The LR-AShM is a hypersonic glide missile capable of engaging static and moving targets and is designed to carry various payloads,” the MoD said on 22 January in a press release, detailing new equipment to be displayed at the Republic Day parade. “The missile is a first of its kind with indigenous avionics systems and high-accuracy sensor packages.”
The MoD added that the hypersonic missile has been designed to “follow a quasi-ballistic trajectory with hypersonic speeds starting at Mach 10 and maintaining average Mach 5 with multiple skips”. It added that the LR-AshM is fitted with indigenously developed sensors that are intended to “engage moving targets in the terminal phase”.
“As this missile flies in low altitude with high speed and manoeuvrability, enemy ground- and ship-based radars cannot detect this missile during most of its trajectory,” the MoD said. (Source: Janes)
26 Jan 26. South Korea deploys Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile. The Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) has started deployments of the Hyunmoo-5 ground-launched surface-to-surface ballistic missile, a spokesperson for the country’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) told Janes on 23 January. According to the spokesperson, the missile – designed to strike North Korean underground bunkers – is “currently undergoing the process of operational deployment”. The spokesperson did not elaborate. South Korea displayed the Hyunmoo-5 (also known as Hyon Mu-5) for the first time at a parade to mark South Korea’s Armed Forces Day in October 2024. During the parade, two missiles were displayed, carried on nine-axle transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicles. Hyunmoo-5 was developed by South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) in co-ordination with Hanwha Aerospace. Unconfirmed media reports have suggested that the RoKA could procure up to 200 Hyunmoo-5 missiles and that a version could be developed by the RoK Navy. The missile weighs 36 tonnes and can carry an approximate 8 tonne warhead. Its range, depending on the size of the integrated warhead, is 300–3,000 km. The missile is estimated to have a length of about 16 m and a diameter of 1.6 m. Hyunmoo-5 is also part of a wider family of Hyunmoo missile systems, which have been developed by ADD since the late 1980s. According to ADD, the Hyunmoo family features solid propellant rockets and “enhanced inertial navigation and guidance systems”. The missile systems consist of a mobile launcher and a fire-control station. The Hyunmoo family is developed to strike stationary land targets, ADD said. (Source: Janes)
15 Jan 26. FN America, LLC introduced the next generation of the legendary SCAR along with its first-ever purpose-built rifle suppressors, both available soon to US consumers. The upgraded SCAR takes the platform to never-before-seen levels, enhancing its proven performance and shootability with more than two dozen upgrades, while retaining its iconic silhouette, core performance and current price position. The FN QD Series of rifle suppressors are 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm calibre forward-vented suppressors, purpose-built for the SCAR platform. Since 2008, the SCAR has been the US firearm industry’s standard in gas-operated, semi-auto, modular rifles for the most demanding shooters. And now, led by feedback from US consumers, it takes a giant leap forward. The next generation of US commercial SCAR rifles are fully compatible with forward-venting suppressors, easier to operate and feature significantly lower recoil, resulting in a softer shooting experience and faster follow-up shots.
“The next generation of the SCAR is the culmination of decades of development, proving what can be accomplished when our team is never satisfied,” said Dan Hines, Vice President of Commercial Products for FN America, LLC. “We combined input from consumer feedback and technical analysis of every SCAR component to create the ultimate in performance, shooter experience and adaptability, all at a similar price to the current SCAR.”
While the new semi-auto SCAR retains the iconic silhouette of the original, it contains more than two dozen performance enhancements, focused on the user’s shooting experience. One of the most important upgrades is a lighter, hydraulically buffered two-piece bolt carrier, which serves as a shock absorber in the rifle. The hydraulic buffer provides significantly less felt recoil, more control, faster and more accurate follow-up shots, plus an overall more comfortable shooting experience. Also aiding the shooting experience is an improved single-stage trigger on carbine models and a new two-stage trigger on the SCAR 20S, both of which aid in the delivery of faster and better follow-up shots. The rifle also features fully ambidextrous and customisable controls intuitively located for easy activation by the user. Another major enhancement is that the next generation of SCAR is suppressor capable with forward-venting suppressors, as the muzzle profiles of the 5.56 and 7.62 SCAR rifles have been updated to US Standard shoulder 1/2×28 or 5/8×24 thread. Along with the new SCAR, FN will be releasing the FN QD762 and FN QD556 suppressors, purpose-built to support the SCAR platform.
“Improving a legendary product like the FN SCAR was both an honour and a tremendous challenge, but our team succeeded and delivered,” said John Ryan, Director of Product Management for FN America, LLC. “Through design and testing of the next generation of the SCAR, we are thrilled that we’ve made significant improvements in shooter experience, reliability, suppressor capability and adaptability—all while maintaining the look and DNA of the original SCAR.”
Adaptability is a hallmark in the next generation of the SCAR. The new rifle features an extended receiver with more barrel coverage and gas block, plus an integrated rail system with M-LOK attachment slots at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions, allowing shooters easy ability to accessorise, along with better reach and stability. Other adaptability features include true AR pistol grip compatibility, three customisable selector levers with 16 possible combinations, multiple stock options, user-changeable barrels, improved sling mounts and Torx head fasteners. Like its predecessor, the next generation of SCAR has been designed and built for high volume shooting, having been tested to 16,000 rounds without failure of any major components. The rifle maintains FN’s legendary chrome-lined, cold hammer-forged barrel, steel magazines and monolithic rail. It also includes an updated short-stroke gas piston system with a two-position adjustable gas regulator for improved reliability.
“The SCAR is the most tested rifle platform that FN has ever developed and is renowned for its uncompromising reliability, durability and accuracy,” said Benjamin Voss, Sr. Product Manager, Long Guns, FN America, LLC. “We are proud to say that the next generation of the SCAR family continues to deliver those legendary values, while giving consumers a smoother shooting and a more modular rifle platform.”
The SCAR family will consist of four US consumer versions—the new 16S, 17S and 20S, along with the current SCAR 15P ultra-compact pistol. With multiple base product options in multiple calibres (5.56x45mm, 7.62x51mm, 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 Blackout) and colours (flat dark earth, black, gray), plus available barrel assemblies, rear stock options and magazines, the various SCAR configurations are almost endless. The rifle will include a premium FN soft case with modular customisation inserts, a vertical foregrip, piston removal tool and a locking device.
(Source: joint-forces.com)
16 Jan 26. SIG SAUER, industry-leading manufacturer of cutting-edge firearms, optics, and ammunition, introduces the P211-GT4 and GT5 – the latest additions to SIG SAUER’s distinguished lineage of hammer-fired pistols.
The P211’s precision machining and reliability incorporate the timeless appeal and superior performance of SIG’s first double-stack 1911 pistol. The GT4 and GT5 variants deliver even more options for the serious pistol competitor, elite operator, or shooting enthusiast.
The GT5 is a full-size pistol engineered to excel in both competition and duty / self-defence applications. Its full-length slide and 5” bull barrel provide excellent recoil characteristics and expand the P211’s use in the shooting sports. The GT4 combines the capacity and performance of a double-stack SAO pistol with the practicality of a 4” slide and low-profile magwell, making it the ideal choice for discreet concealed carry.
GT5 Product Details:
- 5” Target crown bull barrel
- Steel frame with 3-slot accessory rail and full-length dust cover
- Compatible with Picatinny rail-mounted accessories
- Straight-pull trigger for a clean and consistent pull
- Precision-engineered alloy grip module
- Grip Safety, Ambidextrous Thumb Safeties, and Firing Pin Safety mechanism
- Equipped with (2) 21-round and (1) 17-round P320 compatible steel magazines
GT4 Product Details:
- 4.2” Target crown bull barrel
- Steel frame with 3-slot accessory rail and carry-length dust cover
- Compatible with Picatinny rail-mounted accessories
- Straight-pull trigger for a clean and consistent pull
- Precision-engineered alloy grip module
- Grip Safety, Ambidextrous Thumb Safeties, and Firing Pin Safety mechanism
- Low Profile Carry Magazine Well
- Equipped with (2) 21-round and (1) 17-round P320 compatible steel magazines
The P211-GT4 and GT5 will be displayed in SIG SAUER’s booth at SHOT Show. (Source: joint-forces.com)
21 Jan 26. Australia mulls how to achieve low-cost mass fires on distant targets. The Australian Army’s indirect fires rely on M777, AS9 and HIMARS artillery systems, but it is seeking alternative low-cost massed fires. (Gordon Arthur) The Australian Army is exploring how to provide indirect fire support for amphibious-capable combined arms forces. It wants ground-launched and low-cost systems, according to a request for proposals (RfP) issued on 5 November 2025. This effort is called Low-Cost Mass Fires (LCMF), and it is designed to supplement M777 lightweight howitzers with a 30km range, and incoming AS9 self-propelled howitzers that possess a 40km range. The Australian Army has also started inducting HIMARS rocket launchers, whose GMLRS munitions offer an 80km range. The RfP noted, “However, this would require the use of a very limited stock of expensive GMLRS munitions. Therefore, the LCMF solution being sought must be capable of achieving a range of operational effects, at mass, by day or night, and in all weather conditions, out to 80km+.” The RfP added that LCMF solutions need to “achieve suppression, neutralisation and destruction against unobstructed troops, thin-skin vehicles, lightly armoured vehicles and non-permanent light structures”. Solutions may be munitions fired from 155mm tube artillery, HIMARS-like rocket pod containers, or potentially one-way effectors, precision loitering munitions or some other contemporary solution that can be deployed from a military vehicle. At this point, the army is not seeking weapons launched from missile pods or air-deployed systems. The army wants its solution to produce the same explosive effect as a 155mm battery fire mission suppressing an area measuring 200m x 200m. Importantly, the weapons must conform to international agreements and to Australian policies on insensitive munitions. This Army Minors Capability Acquisition Program initiative is hoping to identify established or innovative technology for development and integration via a future project. Solutions must also be interoperable with current army command-and-control systems, and be able to operate in denied, degraded, intermittent or limited environments. Live-fire product concept demonstrations are slated for the middle of Q2 this year, and vendors must achieve technology readiness level 9 by Q2 of 2027. The results of the demonstration and paperwork will be analysed, leading to a down-select for government consideration in FY2026/27. It is unknown which companies responded to the RfP, but tender responses were due on 12 December. An evaluation process started almost immediately on 15 December, and is due to end on 23 January 2026. (Source: AMR)
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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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