Sponsored by Galvion
www.galvion.com
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25 Feb 26. New hypersonic missiles unveiled for fighter planes, ground systems. The U.S. will soon have the ability to deploy a new type of hypersonic missile that can be shot from fighter planes, bombers, ground-based launchers — and can even be fired from space. Ursa Major, a Colorado-based defense manufacturer, debuted the HAVOC missile system on Tuesday. The medium-range hypersonic system is powered by a liquid rocket engine, is able to alter its speed in flight and can be adapted for use with a wide variety of rocket motor systems from warplanes to vertical launch systems. Additionally, the system can be deployed outside of Earth’s atmosphere, according to the company.
“Keeping pace with our adversaries requires more than exquisite systems. It requires speed to delivery, affordability, and the ability to build at scale,” Chris Spagnoletti, CEO of Ursa Major, said in a statement.
“The Ursa Major HAVOC Missile System delivers a highly capable hypersonic weapon designed from the start to be produced rapidly and in quantity, giving the warfighter a credible and adaptable capability.”
The system has a core module that makes it suitable for striking hypersonic targets as well, the company adds. Hypersonic missiles, which fly at roughly five times the speed of sound, have become a priority across all U.S. military branches. The Army, Air Force and Navy are all developing hypersonic missile programs, including: the Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon; the Air Force’s Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile; and the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike programs. While the services have aimed for hypersonic weapons since the early 2000s, development has lagged while Russia and China have gained advantages in this arena. In a notable divergence, Russian and Chinese hypersonic missiles are designed to field nuclear warheads, while U.S. hypersonics are not.
“Most U.S. hypersonic weapons, in contrast to those in Russia and China, are not being designed for use with a nuclear warhead,” according to a Congressional Research Service report published last August.
The report predicted that U.S. hypersonics would “likely require greater accuracy and will be more technically challenging to develop than nuclear-armed Chinese and Russian systems,” while also noting that Russian and Chinese systems would have a potential advantage since nuclear weapons can inflict devastating damage without need for accuracy. (Source: Defense News)
23 Feb 26. Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, has reached a significant milestone in its collaboration with body armor manufacturer Fábrica Española de Confecciones (FECSA), enabling the delivery of more than 100,000 protective vests and 100,000 ballistic plates to European armed forces and law enforcement agencies. This achievement highlights the critical role of Dyneema® unidirectional (UD) materials in delivering superior protection in both hard and soft armor applications. Dyneema® and FECSA reached this milestone while meeting the stringent technical requirements of elite European armies and law enforcement agencies – standards designed to help ensure the highest levels of quality and performance in modern armor systems. These specifications call for exceptional ballistic stopping power, ultra-low weight, thin vest and plate profiles, and dedicated male and female models to ensure optimal fit, comfort, and mobility for personnel in the field. Leveraging advanced, high-performance ballistic materials from Dyneema®, FECSA manufactures protective armor that meets these demanding criteria. The high-tenacity fibers and UD materials produced by Dyneema® increase the ballistic stopping power of protective armor. In addition, the exceptional strength-to-weight ratio of Dyneema® materials allows armor manufacturers to design lighter ballistic helmets, plates, shields, soft armor vests, and armored vehicles than alternative protective solutions. The innovation of three generations of ballistic UD grades underscores the company’s commitment to the safety and comfort of those who serve their countries and communities.
“We are proud to work with FECSA and to have provided the key technology in more than 200,000 protective vests and ballistic inserts,” says Marcelo van de Kamp, Global Business Director for Personal Protection at Dyneema®, Avient. “This achievement demonstrates the power of partnering with armor manufacturers who share our commitment to performance excellence. With our Dyneema® UD materials, we’re helping FECSA to protect European defense operators with armor that meets – and exceeds – the most demanding of standards.”
As the only ballistic materials manufacturer to produce both its fiber and UD in-house at dual manufacturing sites in Europe and the US, the Dyneema® brand delivers supply‑chain certainty and performance consistency to partners worldwide. Because it matters where protective armor is made, local production helps ensure consistent quality and reinforces trust for those who depend on uncompromising standards.
Visit the Dyneema® booth at EnforceTac 2026, the leading trade fair for security and defense in Germany, to learn more about the latest advancements in protective armor solutions made with the world’s strongest fiber™, February 23–25 at Messezentrum Nuremberg in Hall 9, Booth 9‑650.
23 Feb 26. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is developing the addition of long-range standoff weapons to its top-of-the-line MQ-9B SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian®. Demand continues from naval and air warfighters for platforms that can hold targets at risk from great ranges, especially over the expanses of air and water in the Western Pacific. That’s why GA-ASI engineers have begun the work of adapting MQ-9B’s payload, stability, range and other features to accommodate the new generation of extended-range precision weapons.
“MQ-9B continues to impress in the field and we keep adding to our global customer list,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “We want to continue to build value in the aircraft by expanding into more missions. MQ-9B features extraordinary payload capacity, so it only makes sense to add to our mission sets with the ability to carry long-range weapons.”
So far, GA-ASI has performed all the performance analytics and is confident in MQ-9B’s ability to carry long-range weapons over long distances, while providing a measure of persistence and endurance. Company engineers and others continue to refine the technical aspects of this integration and potential concepts of operation, eyeing weapons such as the Lockheed Martin Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile, as well as the Kongsberg/Raytheon Joint Strike Missile.
GA-ASI plans to fly at least one of these new weapons as early as 2026.
Hypothetically, a mission profile might look like this: MQ-9Bs could launch from a number of friendly bases in the Western or Southern Pacific, fly to a hold point and loiter there outside a hostile power’s weapons engagement zone. If the order came to release the weapons, the aircraft could launch them in coordination with other U.S. or allied operations.
In addition to the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian models, MQ-9B also includes the Protector RG Mk1 that is currently being delivered to the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force (RAF). GA-ASI also has MQ-9B procurement contracts with Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, India, Japan, Poland, Taiwan and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also been featured in various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, RIMPAC, and Group Sail.
23 Feb 26. Meprolight, an SK Group company and a global leader in electro-optics for military, law enforcement and commercial use, has introduced the Sting Lumina, a state-of-the-art dual wavelength compact laser pointer with integrated IR illuminator designed closely with special forces to support and improve various tactical scenarios, including close quarters battle (CBQ) and covert nighttime operations. Built for demanding combat environments, the Sting Lumina delivers decisive tactical advantages across a wide range of missions. Its rugged design makes it ideally suited for high-recoil, large caliber platforms – including machine guns – while offering a visible red or green laser for rapid target acquisition in CQB situations. For covert operations, the system integrates an infrared (IR) laser pointer and an IR flashlight with adjustable beam diameter, optimized for urban and CQB scenarios. The Sting Lumina features built-in protection mechanisms that prevent accidental switching to high intensities or visible emission. Fully ambidextrous, ergonomic controls – operated via a control cable or a dedicated top button – ensure seamless operation under pressure. Combat-proven and compliant with MIL-STD requirements, the Sting Lumina is engineered for reliability when it matters most.
“The Sting Lumina reflects our commitment to advancing electro-optical solutions shaped by real-world defense requirements and long-term security trends,” said Meprolight Senior Vice President Golan Kalimi. “Developed in close collaboration with Special Forces, it reflects how we translate frontline operational insight into scalable, reliable systems, reinforcing our role as a trusted partner to defense and security forces worldwide.”
Meprolight, part of the SK Group, is an Israeli company and a global leader in cutting-edge electro-optical and optical sights, thermal imaging and self-illuminated systems that enhance mission effectiveness in any environment. With ms of products sold worldwide, Meprolight offers a comprehensive portfolio- tailored for both day and night operations- that includes magnified optics, rifle optics, pistol optics, laser pointers, night vision, thermal imaging devices, and self-illuminated tritium-based sights. Meprolight’s products are battle-proven by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and combat-proven by military and security forces in more than 60 countries. For more information, visit: https://www.meprolight.com/.
20 Feb 26. The U.S. Navy has approved Raytheon’s StormBreaker® smart weapon for operational use on the F/A-18-E/F Super Hornet strike fighter. Raytheon is an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business. StormBreaker is the only operational smart weapon that can engage moving and stationary targets in both fair and adverse weather conditions, at land or at sea. Its compact size allows a single aircraft to engage more surface targets than previously possible. The weapon can also fly to strike mobile targets, reducing the amount of time that aircrews spend in harm’s way.
“The Super Hornet plays a critical role in the Navy’s air combat strategy and equipping it with StormBreaker increases the aircraft’s lethality by enabling precision strike in all weather conditions,” said Sam Deneke, president of Air & Space Defense Systems at Raytheon. “StormBreaker’s accuracy and versatility gives operators the upper hand in the most degraded environments, ensuring they can complete the mission and return home safely.”
In 2023, the Super Hornet became the first U.S. Navy aircraft to carry StormBreaker. It has had exceptional performance in combat on the aircraft. StormBreaker is approved for use on the F-15E and the F/A-18-E/F Super Hornet, and is currently being integrated on the F-35A/B/C. (Source: PR Newswire)
20 Feb 26. UK and European allies to develop low-cost air defence weapons to protect NATO skies. European skies to be defended by advanced surface-to-air weapon under new multinational scheme. Britain and its European allies will be better defended as they group together to develop new air defence weapons to protect European skies, the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry has announced today. At the European Group of Five (E5) meeting today, Friday 20 February, in Krakow, Britain along with France, Germany, Italy and Poland have launched the ‘Low-Cost Effectors & Autonomous Platforms’ initiative, known as LEAP. LEAP will see the development of advanced low-cost air defence systems – such as autonomous drones or missiles – the first project of which will be delivered by 2027, providing an unparalleled opportunity to harness European defence financing, leadership, AI and autonomy. This Government is stepping up on defence, delivering the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War – 2.6% of GDP from 2027 – to ensure that Britain and our allies are safe.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP said: “European security is at a pivotal moment. The UK and our E5 partners are stepping up – investing together in the next generation of air defence and autonomous systems to strengthen NATO’s shield and keep our people safe. From innovation in our defence industries to our ironclad commitment to Ukraine, we’re showing that European nations are ready to deter, defend and if necessary, fight, together. “I’m proud of UK leadership on European security – building partnerships, developing capability and standing with Ukraine to protect our shared security.”
Its first focus will be on a new surface-to-air weapon – a lightweight, affordable weapon designed to counter the drone and missile threat.
Rather than lengthy development cycles, and inspired by Ukraine’s battlefield innovation, the programme will prioritise speed and adaptability. LEAP will draw proposals from major defence manufacturers and small and medium sized enterprises. The initiative comes as the UK is scaling up cooperation with European allies to develop new long-range precision and hypersonic weapons, with spending on projects exceeding £400 m this financial year. The E5, which brings together Europe’s five biggest defence spenders, continues to play a crucial role in reinforcing NATO’s defences, boosting industrial resilience, and providing unshakeable support for Ukraine in the face of continued Russian aggression. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
23 Feb 26. EDGE Group of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Safran Electronics & Defense, an international high-technology group operating in the aviation, defence and space market, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly explore the development, production, and commercialisation of advanced air-to-ground weapon systems. This first phase of engagement establishes the potential to build on Safran’s existing systems, expand their range and performance, advance into surface-to-air missile development, and ultimately progress into the next generation of smart weapons. By combining Safran’s world-class in propulsion and navigation systems with EDGE’s industrial scale and advanced technology portfolio, the partnership aims to deliver highly competitive, export-ready solutions for the global market, offering enhanced operational effectiveness to international customers. The signing ceremony took place at EDGE Group headquarters in Abu Dhabi, and was formalised by Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE Group, and Alexandre Ziegler, Head of Defense Global Business Unit, Safran Electronics & Defense.
Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO, EDGE Group said: “This collaboration brings together two companies with complementary strengths. Safran’s long-standing capabilities and expertise in aerospace and defence, combined with EDGE’s production capability, creates a unique platform to deliver innovative, high-value solutions for global defence customers. Together, we see clear potential to address evolving operational requirements across a broad range of international markets.”
Alexandre Ziegler, Head of Defense Global Business Unit, Safran Electronics and Defense, said: “For more than 30 years, Safran has built relationships in the UAE which are founded on trust, long-term cooperation, and operational excellence. Today’s agreement with EDGE reflects the strength and maturity of that partnership. By leveraging our complementary strengths, particularly in the field of smart air-to-ground weapon systems, we intend to jointly develop innovative, localised solutions tailored to the evolving needs of allied armed forces, while supporting localisation and innovation.”
24 Feb 26. Innovative solutions to boost munitions outload capability. The MOD has trialled a series of projects designed to improve the UK’s ability to outload munitions quickly and at scale during high-intensity conflict. Trials hosted at Defence Munitions Kineton, the largest munitions depot in Western Europe, show how low cost, innovative solutions can strengthen defence’s warfighting readiness and resilience. The work focused on modernising processes to ensure the rapid and efficient movement of munitions.
Project details
Programme OUTLOAD includes 3 pioneering projects:
- SAGE: tests the use of satellite communications, 4G, and Wi-Fi in places where digital signals are normally restricted, such as explosives warehouses – by enabling real‑time stock visibility, it could change how defence records, manages and moves munitions
- PAXO: looks at ways to pack munitions more efficiently – it tests new tools and methods to speed up loading munitions into shipping containers (‘stuffing’), making the process faster, safer and less labour-intensive
- ONION: reviews how munitions are currently handled and stored, and the policies governing this – it identifies the barriers to innovation within Defence Munitions sites, both during routine operations and when defence needs to scale up during conflict
By addressing bottlenecks in the munitions supply chain, these projects will help ensure the Armed Forces can increase the speed and scale at which they operate.
The findings show that defence can make significant improvements to munitions outload processes without major investment. Recommendations have been shared with senior leaders and work is underway to consider expanding the projects across Defence Munitions sites.
Significance of these trials
Vice Admiral Andy Kyte, Chief of Defence Logistics and Support, said:
These trials demonstrate that with innovative thinking and collaboration, we can achieve rapid improvements to support our Armed Forces in times of need. By adopting these solutions, we are not only enhancing our warfighting readiness but also building a more resilient and flexible defence capability.
Colonel Martin Windsor, programme sponsor, Defence Support, said:
There is a clear need to enable defence to have the capability to surge munitions, outloading at pace and scale when the situation dictates.
This programme has been led from the bottom up, the experts on the ground informing technical experts to help modernise our approach. Changes to policy, inclusion of digitisation and introducing modern commercial equipment has made significant improvements that put defence in a better place. A truly Whole Force approach.
Harry Riedl, programme lead, Cyber & Specialist Operations Command jHub, said:
Delivering this innovative programme was challenging but highly rewarding. The approach taken provides a real opportunity to transform how Defence Munitions operates in the future.
This has been high-impact work in a part of defence that does not always attract significant innovation focus, and I am pleased with the success of the projects as they are handed over to Defence Munitions.
Stuart McCormack, Defence Munitions said:
These concept demonstrators show game-changing improvements that are feasible, faster and simpler. We look forward to the next steps, where exploitation provides Defence Munitions the capability to support defence more efficiently and effectively. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
23 Feb 26. Department of War Announces Groundbreaking of New Munitions Campus in Indiana. The Department of War (DoW) announces the February 19 groundbreaking on the Munitions Campus in Bloomfield, Indiana. This public-private partnership is designed to expand domestic munitions and energetics production and strengthen the resilience of the U.S. defense industrial base.
The groundbreaking is an important milestone for the Munitions Campus, for which the DoW announced in September 2023 the award of $75 m in Defense Production Act Title III funds to ACMI Federal (ACMI) – with the goal of strengthening the munitions supply chain and accelerating munitions production by stimulating private capital for specialty facilities. Established as a pilot initiative to scale production for defense manufacturers, the project introduces a shared-infrastructure model that helps U.S. companies reduce operating costs. As part of the groundbreaking ceremony, Prometheus Energetics LLC (Prometheus) also broke ground on its new headquarters and solid rocket motor (SRM) manufacturing facilities as the anchor tenant for the Munitions Campus.
The campus will centralize key elements of the munitions supply chain by collocating manufacturers of major components and subcomponents, while providing access to state-of-the-art equipment and manufacturing resources.
By clustering industrial production capacity in one location, the campus will enable faster, more cost-effective, and efficient scaling of munitions and energetics output including Tomahawk, Javelin, and Stinger missiles, along with the Guided Multi-Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and other weapons systems.
Located on a portion of ACMI’s National Security Industrial Hub (NSIH), a 1,100-acre advanced manufacturing development in Bloomfield, Indiana, and in close proximity to both the Crane Army Ammunition Activity and Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, the Munitions Campus will enhance collaboration between the DoW and private industry. The DoW’s investment in the Munitions Campus serves as the catalyst for the broader NSIH, which is projected to generate more than $600 m in private investment, driving long-term regional growth and advancing national security priorities through industrial collaboration. Prometheus’ headquarters and primary production operations will occupy 600 acres of the NSIH site, leveraging the campus’s shared infrastructure and advanced manufacturing ecosystem to accelerate domestic production of critical systems.
“The Munitions Campus Program represents a critical step toward modernizing America’s defense industrial base,” said Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy Michael Cadenazzi. “By investing in shared infrastructure and increased manufacturing capacity, the Department of War is ensuring the United States remains ready, resilient, and capable of meeting future national security challenges.”
Aissa Tovar, Director, Defense Production Act Purchases within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy, added, “Our federal investment is the key that unlocks the $600 m in private capital making all of this possible.”
Major construction efforts are progressing and will continue to increase as the project moves toward phased opening and operations beginning in 2027. The Department will continue working with ACMI, as well as state and local partners, to ensure the project aligns with regional workforce development and infrastructure goals.
About the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy (OASW(IBP))
The OASW(IBP) works with domestic and international partners to forge and sustain a robust, secure, and resilient industrial base enabling the war fighter, now and in the future. OASW(IBP) also uses the Defense Industrial Base Consortium Other Transaction Agreement (DIBC OTA) to solicit new ideas for research or prototype project solutions for critical supply chain resiliency focus areas. This OTA underscores the Department’s ongoing dedication to safeguarding the integrity of our crucial supply chain and promptly giving our warfighters the materials and technologies they need to accomplish their missions. To learn more about the DIBC OTA, please visit: https://www.dibconsortium.org. (Source: U.S. DoD)
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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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