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12 Feb 26. Extended-range GMLRS surpasses 100km in latest US Army flight test. The test used the Alternative Warhead on a HIMARS launcher, with all tracked performance metrics meeting or exceeding expectations. US Army carries out M270A2 launch of extended-range GMLRS. Credit: SGT Ashton Smith. The US Army conducted a successful flight test of the Extended-Range Guided Multiple-Launch Rocket System (ER GMLRS) on 30 January at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. During the test, the system engaged area targets at distances exceeding 100 kilometres (km), according to a statement from the US Army. The test used the Alternative Warhead (AW) variant of the ER GMLRS, which was launched from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), with performance metrics reported as “meeting or exceeding expectations”.
The ER GMLRS extends the range capability to 150km, doubling that of the standard GMLRS, and allows commanders to strike high-value, time-sensitive targets from increased distances using existing HIMARS and M270A2 platforms. This approach enables the US Army to increase strike options without procuring new launch vehicles or altering unit structures. Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires lieutenant general Frank Lozano said: “Extended Range GMLRS demonstrates how the Army and industry are working together to deliver meaningful capability at the pace of relevance. By building on a proven system and expanding range while maintaining precision, ER GMLRS gives commanders greater operational flexibility without introducing unnecessary complexity.” Soldiers are scheduled to participate in further operational tests of the ER GMLRS Alternative Warhead prior to its fielding. The ER GMLRS is designed as a GPS-guided, all-weather surface-to-surface rocket with a maximum range of 150km. It features enhancements in manoeuvrability and attack trajectory options and incorporates a Safe and Arm Mechanism (SMPS) for optimising height-of-burst detonation for both Unitary and Alternative Warhead variants, each equipped with a 200-pound class high explosive payload. The Unitary version creates blast fragmentation upon detonation, while the Alternative Warhead releases two layers of preformed penetrators. Detonation options for the ER GMLRS include height-of-burst detonation above ground, point detonation upon impact, or delayed detonation after impact for the Unitary variant. The ER GMLRS programme began in June 2017 as an engineering change proposal for both AW and Unitary rockets. The Department of Operational Test & Evaluation approved the corresponding Test and Evaluation Master Plan annex in August 2020. The programme has faced delays resulting from design challenges, temporary facility closures due to COVID-19 restrictions, and production line disruptions. In October 2024, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control secured a contract worth up to $4.1bn for production of extended-range GMLRS rockets and associated hardware. (Source: army-technology.com)
12 Feb 26. SOURCE Tactical Gear, a global leader in tactical protection, hydration systems, and modular load-carry solutions, announces a significant advancement in women’s ballistic protection, continuing its long-term commitment to developing dedicated solutions for female fighters and law-enforcement personnel. Building on growing operational recognition of the need for gender-specific armor, the company has developed the world’s first and only anatomically contoured hard ballistic plate designed to replicate the natural female chest form. The innovative plate is based on a unique ceramic pressing and plate-construction technology, delivering high-level ballistic protection while incorporating a curved chest area in multiple sizes. This design eliminates weak seams and expands protection in the critical chest area, ensuring maximum coverage without compromising ballistic integrity. When combined with SOURCE’s contoured soft ballistic panel, the system provides maximum coverage and improved fit. Flat hard plates paired with flat or partially contoured soft armor leave gaps around the chest and abdomen, while the integration of a contoured hard plate with a curved soft panel fully closes these gaps, offering enhanced ballistic coverage, improved ergonomics, and greater operational confidence. This development builds on SOURCE’s proven experience in female soft armor solutions, already fielded by operational forces including the Italian Carabinieri, and reflects the company’s continued investment in women-specific protection driven by real-world operational requirements. Beyond ballistic armor, SOURCE Tactical Gear continues to expand its capabilities across additional domains. The company has established a dedicated helmet manufacturing facility. Produced using advanced materials and innovative manufacturing technologies, the helmets are designed to deliver uncompromising ballistic performance while reducing weight compared to existing solutions on the market. Built to support the development and integration of advanced and disruptive technologies, the facility is already operating at high capacity, with innovative helmet solutions expected to be introduced to customers worldwide.
“Effective ballistic protection depends on precise anatomical fit and advanced materials engineering,” said Dovik Gal, Marketing Manager at SOURCE Tactical Gear. “By combining a first-of-its-kind contoured hard armor plate with curved soft ballistic panels and proprietary ceramic pressing technologies, we eliminate critical coverage gaps and deliver higher ballistic performance for women in operational environments, while continuing to invest in next-generation protective systems.”
In parallel, SOURCE continues to advance its operational gear portfolio, including its ACS rapid-access pouches, designed to improve speed, safety, and efficiency for modern military and law-enforcement forces.
11 Feb 26. First Saudi and Iraqi M-SAM IIs to be delivered in 2028. The first Medium-range Surface-to-Air Missile Block II (M-SAM II) systems are expected to be delivered to Saudi Arabia in 2028, with Iraq receiving its first system later that year, a representative from Hanwha Aerospace told Janes at the World Defense Show (WDS) 2026 held in Riyadh from 8 to 12 February. He added that the precise delivery timelines have not been finalised. LIG Nex1 is the prime contractor for both programmes; Hanwha Systems will supply the radars, and the launchers will come from Hanwha Aerospace. The Saudi order was announced during the previous WDS in February 2024, when the South Korean Ministry of National Defense said Saudi Arabia signed a USD3.2 bn contract for 10 M-SAM II batteries in November 2023. This made the kingdom the second Middle Eastern country to order the M-SAM II after the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which had received its first system by May 2025, when a launcher was seen when the defence minister visited Al-Dhafra Air Base. While the Emirati launcher was mounted on a Kia vehicle, the Hanwha Aerospace source said the Saudi ones will be on Tatras. The Iraqi M-SAM II order was announced in September 2024, with the Iraqi Ministry of Defence saying it was for eight batteries and LIG Nex1, adding that it is worth approximately USD2.6 m(Source: Janes)
10 Feb 26. German startup aims to deliver European hypersonic strike by 2029. Hypersonica’s first hypersonic test flight in Norway pushed its missile prototype to more than Mach 6 and a range of more than 300 kilometers, the company said. (Hypersonica). German startup Hypersonica claimed a “significant” step toward delivering Europe’s first sovereign hypersonic strike capability by 2029, after the company’s first hypersonic test flight in Norway pushed its missile prototype to more than Mach 6 and a range of more than 300 kilometers. The startup based near Munich plans further test flights to demonstrate advanced flight control at hypersonic speeds and complex maneuverability, it said in a statement on Tuesday. Hypersonica said it’s the first privately funded European defense company to achieve hypersonic flight, until now mostly the domain of government-funded secretive multi-year projects. Hypersonica says it’s using modular design for quick upgrades and to shorten development cycles to months from years, cutting costs by more than 80% compared to “conventional approaches.” The U.S. Congressional Budget Office said in a 2023 report that hypersonic missiles could cost a third more than ballistic missiles of the same range with maneuverable warheads.
“We’re working to develop a European sovereign strike system in a time frame and at costs that makes sense for European governments, including those with more constrained defense budgets,” Hypersonica told Defense News in an emailed reply to questions.
“Europe doesn’t have 20 years or bns to spend on developing hypersonic strike,” the company said. “A new kind of tech-development approach is needed, and that’s what we’re bringing with our rapid iterative approach.”
Hypersonic missiles are typically defined as flying faster than five times the speed of sound while remaining maneuverable in the atmosphere. A fundamental technological challenge is the extreme heat generated by their high speed. France has been working on hypersonic technology since the 1990s and is developing a hypersonic air-launched nuclear missile, the ASN4G. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom in May 2024 picked companies to compete for a seven-year, £1 bn framework to develop sovereign advanced hypersonic missile capabilities.
“As a privately funded startup, our speed from design to the launchpad in just nine months should recalibrate expectations about the costs and time needed to develop this crucial capability,” Hypersonica wrote in a LinkedIn post.
Hypersonica said all systems operated nominally during the test flight on Feb. 3 from the Andøya Space site in northern Norway, with system performance validated at hypersonic speeds down to the subcomponent level. The startup says it uses military-grade components from suppliers. The test flight yielded “invaluable datasets that will inform the design and development of future high‑speed strike systems and enhance our ability to analyze adversary weapon profiles,” the company said. With Russia claiming to operate hypersonic weapons, much of the work related to hypersonics at the European level has been focused on countering such threats, including through the Hydis2 and Hydef programs. The European Defence Fund’s work program for 2026 includes €168m ($200m) for hypersonic counters and high-end endoatmospheric interception. Hypersonica raised €23 m in a Series A financing round, the company said in separate statement, led by early-stage investment fund Plural and with participation from Germany’s Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation. Existing investors General Catalyst and 201 Ventures also provided fresh funding. In the U.S., Castelion, a startup founded by former SpaceX executives, has raised more than $450 m to work on what it calls affordable hypersonic weapons. Hypersonica was founded in December 2023 by Philipp Kerth and Marc Ewenz, two doctoral graduates from the University of Oxford who are now chief executive officer and chief technology officer, respectively. The startup’s goal is to develop hypersonic strike capability by 2029. (Source: Defense News)
11 Feb 26. Hanwha Aerospace Romania today broke ground on its new armoured vehicle production facility in Petrești, Dâmbovița County, marking a significant milestone in the company’s long-term commitment to the country and to strengthening Europe’s defence industrial capabilities. Named the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) Europe, the facility will serve as Hanwha Aerospace’s first production site in Europe, anchoring the company’s long-term partnership with Romania and supporting Romania’s efforts to expand domestic defence manufacturing and contribute more actively to Europe’s defence industrial ecosystem, while advancing broader NATO and European security objectives. Among the distinguished Romanian attendees were H.E. Mr. Marius-Gabriel Lazurca, Presidential Advisor for National Security and Foreign Policy; Barna Tanczos, Vice Prime Minister; H.E. Mr. Ambrozie-Irineu Darău, Minister of Economy; and H.E. Mr. Corneliu Ştefan, President of the Dâmbovița County Council; Mr. Yong-chul Lee, Minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
Mr. Jae-il Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, said: “Today’s groundbreaking represents more than the construction of a production facility. It is the foundation for Hanwha Aerospace Romania’s evolution into a truly Romanian defence company, and a strategic platform for long-term defence cooperation between our two countries. This will be Hanwha Aerospace’s first production facility in Europe and will grow into a core production site for European land systems. Beyond manufacturing, we are committed to technology transfer and close local cooperation, with the goal of integrating Romania as a key pillar of the global defence supply chain.”
A Strategic Industrial Footprint for Romania and Europe
Located in Petrești, Dâmbovița County, the facility will span approximately 181,055 square metres and feature advanced assembly lines, performance and validation testing facilities, a 1,751-metre driving test track, and dedicated R&D laboratories to support the full lifecycle of land systems development, production and sustainment. H-ACE Europe will initially support the local production of the K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer and K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle, providing assembly, integration, testing, and lifecycle support capabilities, with the aim of achieving a high level of localisation — targeting up to 80 percent localisation through Romanian industry participation. Under Hanwha Aerospace’s long-term vision, the site has the potential to to broaden over time to support additional advanced land systems such as infantry fighting vehicles, long-range precision strike systems, and multi-purpose unmanned ground vehicles — contributing to local job creation, strengthening Romania’s industrial base, and enhancing national and allied defence capabilities. Hanwha Aerospace Romania estimates that a potential expansion of the facility in connection with the IFV programme could create up to 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, delivering substantial economic benefits for Romania. Beyond production, Hanwha Aerospace Romania is committed to working closely with Romanian industry partners to integrate them into its global supply chain, supporting skills development, technology transfer, and long-term employment. The company is currently cooperating with more than 30 Romanian partners, forming the foundation for expanded industrial collaboration under its long-term localisation strategy.
Son said: “Hanwha Aerospace is committed to working alongside Romania so that it can grow not only as a buyer, but as a producer, seller, and exporter within the global defence market. ‘Made in Romania’ will be at the heart of our approach.”
Hanwha Aerospace signed a contract with Romania in July 2024 for the supply of 54 K9 SPHs and 36 K10 ARVs. Romania became the tenth member of the K9 User Club, operating the 155mm/52-calibre K9 SPH. Among NATO member states, Romania is the sixth country to operate the K9 system.
23 Jan 26. L3Harris’ VAMPIRE System Successfully Fires Thales’ Belgian-Made 70 mm Rockets. Demonstrating true flexibility to meet unique operational requirements, L3Harris Technologies integrated its modular VAMPIRE™ counter-unmanned weapons system with Thales Belgium’s 70 mm FZ275 laser-guided rocket, adding another weapon option to defeat hostile drones and ground targets. During a live-fire test at a military base in Poland, VAMPIRE destroyed targets for the first time firing the FZ275 from an FZ605 rocket launcher. The demonstration was part of a series of events which included integration of L3Harris’ advanced WESCAM MX™-10D electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) targeting system and Widow® mission management software with Thales’ rocket and launcher. The integrated system effectively hit multiple ground targets, showcasing its high accuracy. The demo also proved the speed at which L3Harris can integrate new effectors with VAMPIRE to meet customers’ mission needs, such as border security in Europe.
11 Feb 26. David’s Sling Weapon System Successfully Completes Complex Test Series as Part of Future Threat Readiness Upgrade. The Israeli Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) within the Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D) in the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD), together with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, have successfully completed a series of tests of the David’s Sling advanced air & missile defense system, designed to intercept various threats including rockets, missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft, and UAVs. The test series was built on operational lessons learned from recent combat and included a wide range of challenging scenarios simulating existing and emerging threats. The success of these tests marks another significant technological and operational leap in the system’s upgrade, following its proven track record of high operational performance during the war, including successful interceptions that saved lives and prevented substantial damage. David’s Sling serves as a central defensive layer in Israel’s multi-layered air and missile defense architecture, alongside the Arrow weapon system, the Iron Dome defense system, and the Iron Beam laser system, which was recently delivered to the Israeli Air Force (IAF). The system’s development is led by the Israel Ministry of Defense, through the IMDO within the DDR&D, in cooperation with the defense industries and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is the primary contractor for the David’s Sling air & missile defense system. The MMR radar is developed by Elta, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and the command center is developed by Elbit Systems.
IMDO Director, Moshe Patel: “During the war, and particularly during Operation Rising Lion, IMDO personnel implemented real-time modifications and adaptations that dramatically enhanced the capabilities of the IAF air & missile defense systems, with David’s Sling in particular. As part of our planned development programs, we conducted an extensive test series to assess future capabilities and the ability to contend with multiple, diverse threats. The series concluded with complete success, enabling a significant upgrade to the State of Israel’s air and missile defense architecture.”
CEO of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Yoav Tourgeman: “Against the backdrop of ever-evolving threats, Rafael is proud to successfully conclude the advanced test series of the David’s Sling system, which incorporated new capabilities across a wide range of challenging scenarios. The system undergoes continuous upgrades and adaptations, and the current test series once again demonstrates that David’s Sling is one of the world’s leading air defense systems. I would like to thank the employees of Rafael for their ongoing dedication to the security of the State of Israel, which is especially evident in this project, and to our partners at the IMDO, the U.S. MDA, and the IAF for their role in this success.”
10 Feb 26. Boeing Discloses MQ-28A Block 3 Development with Weapons Bay and Range Improvements. Boeing has revealed development of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat Block 3, a new version of its combat drone for Australia designed to boost strike capability and endurance. Block 3 will introduce a scalable internal weapons bay able to carry one AIM-120 AMRAAM or two GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs, with potential integration of the GBU-53/B StormBreaker. Programme director Glen Ferguson emphasized the aircraft’s modular, open-architecture design, noting that “we can put any weapon in, across the board… which ones we use is really up to customers.” Earlier Block 1 and 2 airframes were built with space for a weapons bay and could be retrofitted if the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) chooses. A major change is a wingspan increase from 6 meters to 7.3 meters (20 to 24 feet), enabling roughly 30 percent more fuel capacity and significantly greater range—critical for Pacific operations. Boeing is also studying aerial refueling integration to further extend reach. Company imagery has shown Ghost Bats with apparent refueling receptacles on the upper fuselage. A computer-generated video from Boeing includes MQ-28 Ghost Bat drones with apparent aerial refueling receptacles on top of their fuselages Block 3 is planned as the successor to the Block 2 aircraft now in production for the RAAF. Australia has ordered nine Block 2 systems and previously acquired eight Block 1 pre-production prototypes, though Block 2 has not yet achieved operational capability. Beyond weapons and sensors, the larger wing is central to the redesign.
“One of the reasons we put the bigger wing on the Block 3 jet is for range. Remember the Pacific mission: you obviously need range,” Ferguson said.
Boeing is also marketing the Ghost Bat internationally, with likely interest across the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. Air Force and Navy have both expressed interest. Internal weapons carriage and potential refueling are intended to improve compatibility with advanced combat aircraft, including F-35 fleets. In late 2025, a Block 2 aircraft carried an AIM-120 on an external pylon during testing, operating as a loyal wingman to an RAAF E-7A Wedgetail and supporting an F/A-18F in a networked, semi-autonomous engagement. (Source: UAS VISION/Defence Industry Europe; The War Zone. (Source: UAS VISION)
10 Feb 26. IWI offers Arbel to Asia-Pacific countries. Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), a subsidiary of Israel’s SK Group, is marketing its Arbel computerised firing mechanism for small arms to countries across the Asia-Pacific. Doron Korol, vice‑president for Asia-Pacific marketing and sales at SK Group, told Janes in December 2025 that India has expressed interest in procuring Arbel, possibly with local production. He added that the company is also in talks with Thailand. Korol said IWI is pursuing further Arbel opportunities across the Asia‑Pacific and is in talks with several regional customers, with key targets including the Philippines, Taiwan, and South Korea. According to an IWI spokesperson, Arbel is intended to be operated as an integrated system to enhance target acquisition and the firing performance of soldiers’ rifles, adding that the system is being marketed as a counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) capability requiring no additional platforms or training. In an interview with Janes, Korol said IWI expects to expand into the Indian market with Arbel, following its previous small arms contract with the Indian government. In December 2025, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded a contract to PLR Systems, a joint venture between Indian company Adani Group and IWI, to deliver 170,000 close quarter battle (CQB) carbines to the Indian military over a span of five to six years. The carbines will be produced domestically and will be based on IWI’s Galil Ace assault rifle. “We are now at the first stage of conversations regarding the integration of the Arbel system in India,” Korol said. (Source: Janes)
05 Feb 26. Excalibur and Aselsan to form defence-focused JV in EU. The partners plan to introduce the Korkut air defence system on the Tatra Force 6×6 wheeled platform. CSG’s export agency Excalibur International and Türkiye-based Aselsan have entered into a cooperation agreement to form a joint venture (JV) within the EU. The collaboration will establish an EU-based entity focused on developing defence technologies. The JV’s immediate plans will be to bring Aselsan’s Korkut air defence system to the European and global markets by integrating it onto CSG’s Tatra Force 6×6 wheeled platform. Its primary focus includes air defence, electronic warfare, smart munitions, and border security. Both firms intend to localise production processes by transferring manufacturing operations to CSG’s facilities situated in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Integration of the Korkut system onto the Tatra platform marks one of the first deliverables from the partnership. The system will be available to customers in Europe as well as international clients, placing it among alternatives to other European air defence solutions.
Excalibur International CEO Miloš Šivara said: “The Korkut system represents a modern and highly effective air defence solution, particularly against enemy UAVs. It uses highly accurate, programmable ammunition, which in practice means that the cost of neutralising a single UAV is comparable to the acquisition cost of the UAV itself.”
Korkut is a self-propelled air-defence gun developed by Aselsan in partnership with FNSS Savunma Sistemleri for Türkiye’s Land Forces. The system for Turkish Land Forces operated from the ACV-30 armoured vehicle platform. Its capabilities include detection, tracking, identification and destruction of aerial threats, and its platform can accommodate heavy armoured vehicles such as main battle tanks. Aselsan general manager Ahmet Akyol said: “Through this partnership with Excalibur International and the CSG group, Aselsan is strengthening its industrial presence in Europe and globally while offering proven, combat-ready air defence solutions tailored to the needs of European and allied armed forces.
“The integration of the Korkut system on the Tatra platform combines advanced sensor and fire-control technologies with a highly mobile and reliable vehicle, creating a flexible solution for today’s dynamic battlefield environment. (Source: army-technology.com)
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About Galvion:
Galvion designs, develops, and delivers mission critical head, face, and torso protective solutions as well as intelligent power and data management systems for the world’s most demanding military and tactical teams. Founded in 2002 as Revision Military, a foundational belief in calculated investment and capability expansion led to a strategic refocus, resulting in the divestiture of the protective eyewear business, along with the Revision name, in 2019. Rebranded as Galvion, the company’s products and technology continue to evolve beyond purely passive protection, focusing instead on active systems that enhance performance and survivability, with an eye to the ever-changing demands of the modern battlefield. Through advanced design, keen end-user insight and intelligent integration, Galvion engineers uniquely customized solutions that go beyond what was once thought possible.
Privately owned with ISO 9001:2015 certified facilities in Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the US, Montreal in Canada and Bristol in the UK, Galvion’s team of 400+ employees work proactively to solve the problems left unsolved by others.
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