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25 Mar 26. BAE Systems (LON: BA) has signed a landmark seven-year framework agreement with the Department of War (DoW) to quadruple production capacity and accelerate delivery of the infrared seeker for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor missile in support of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The THAAD seeker provides critical sensing and guidance capabilities to help protect the United States and its global allies from ballistic missiles.
BAE Systems has signed a seven-year framework agreement with the Department of War to quadruple production capacity and accelerate delivery of the infrared seeker for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor missile. (Credit: BAE Systems)
Under the agreement, BAE Systems will increase annual production of the seekers, delivering the speed and scale required to counter emerging threats and ensure mission readiness.
“This new, multi-year agreement provides a long-term demand signal that gives us the confidence to further invest in expanding our capacity; and underscores the strength of industry’s collaboration with the Department of War,” said Tom Arseneault, president and CEO of BAE Systems, Inc. “We remain focused on rapidly delivering superior technology at scale to help our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage.”
The agreement supports the DoW’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy, a reform initiative focused on rapidly delivering, scaling, and fielding critical technologies to the warfighter at record speed to deter and outpace adversaries.
Guided by BAE Systems’ advanced sensor technology, THAAD interceptors engage ballistic missiles and can destroy warheads with kinetic force both inside and outside of the atmosphere.
Aligned with the DoW’s strategic investment in the defense industrial base and American jobs, BAE Systems will continue to expand its capabilities through sustained investment in technology, manufacturing, and its workforce, leveraging its robust supply chain management, positioning the company for long-term, high-volume production.
BAE Systems’ work on the THAAD seeker takes place at the company’s state-of-the-art facilities in Nashua, New Hampshire, and Endicott, New York. (Source: PR Newswire)
26 Mar 26. Lockheed launches Hellfire missile from 10-foot cargo container. Lockheed Martin’s Grizzly containerized launcher successfully completed a vertical-launch test at Yakima Training Center, Washington, the company said. (Lockheed Martin)
Lockheed Martin announced Tuesday that the U.S. defense giant successfully launched a Hellfire missile from its new Grizzly launcher — housed within a 10-foot cargo container.
The Grizzly system incorporates design elements of Lockheed’s M299 missile launchers, which can be configured three ways and can be used to shoot both the Hellfire and Joint Air-to-Ground Missile. Hellfire missiles can track targets autonomously and are used by the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and international partners over 15 platforms across air, land and sea domains.
“Our first live fire tests come just six months after the program began research and development, through internal Lockheed Martin investment, demonstrating our focus on quickly delivering a mobile and versatile launcher capability to defeat evolving threats,” Randy Crites, vice president of Lockheed Martin Advanced Programs, said in a statement.
Built out of low-cost commercially available materials, the containerized launcher can be easily lifted and transported by a wide variety of commercial freight and transport equipment, including trucks, aircraft and ships.
The development comes as the Navy is seeking the development of containerized payloads, which can potentially be placed on unmanned surface vessels to increase firepower and flexibility at sea. (Source: Defense News)
25 Mar 26. Thales launches Expeditionary PathMaster, a proven-at-sea system boosted by AI, to conduct full mine countermeasures missions anywhere in the world
- Thales today launches Expeditionary PathMaster, based on an innovative expeditionary portable operations centre (e-POC), the solution enables naval forces to conduct a full mine countermeasures mission anywhere in the world
- Thales’ Expeditionary PathMaster allows a unique hybrid mine warfare capacity, which integrates manned and unmanned assets, including third-party assets.
- Thales has delivered the first autonomous, cyber-secure drone systems in service to the French Navy and the UK Royal Navy and has also been selected by the Republic of Singapore Navy.
- Combining Thales’ expertise in cybersecurity and advanced artificial intelligence through cortAIx, Thales AI accelerator, Thales’ new mine countermeasures process sonar data up to four times faster with 99% exact classification.
- Thales’ Expeditionary PathMaster is available and ready to be used today.
Based on a system developed for and delivered to the Marine Nationale, Expeditionary PathMaster is a scalable and interoperable solution, ready to go from harbour to open sea – and can be operated from the shore, from a rib, a mine hunting ship or any platform. This system empowers navies to act fast, secure critical infrastructure, and dominate expeditionary and amphibious operations.
Thales has already successfully demonstrated the capacities of Expeditionary Pathmaster, which can integrate third-party assets (such as Autonomous Unmanned Vessel (AUV), Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) and conventional mine hunters), on an expeditionary portable operation centre, with the Lithuanian navy.
Thales has been a world leader in mine countermeasures for more than 50 years. Its mine countermeasures solutions enable the navies to accurately detect, classify, localise, identify and if needed neutralize mines in the most complex regions in the world, in real-time.
Thales’ Mi-Map sonar analysis application uses AI to process sonar data up to four times faster than with conventional tools, making it possible to locate underwater mines with greater precision than ever before with 99% exact classification. The M-Cube mission management system harnesses AI to manage multiple parallel sonar analysis sessions with MiMap, providing real-time updates on session progress and detected objects.
“As seas become increasingly contested and navies face unexpected threats and challenges, mine countermeasures have become a key discipline to ensure the sovereignty and safety of critical infrastructures and sea lines of communication. At Thales, we’re ahead of the curve. Expeditionary PathMaster is a turnkey game-changer: modular, scalable, and powered by artificial intelligence,” said Sébastien Guérémy, Vice President of Underwater Systems, Thales. “We’re bringing navies the digital transformation and dronisation that give them the decisive edge -today and tomorrow.”
With Expeditionary PathMaster Thales sets the standard in cyber-secure, manned and autonomous mine warfare – keeping naval forces one step ahead.
24 Mar 26. AV Unveils LOCUST® X3: Third-Generation Modular Directed Energy Weapon System. AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global defense technology leader, today announced the release of LOCUST® X3, the third generation of AV’s high-energy laser weapon system that delivers precise, speed-of-light engagement for rapid defeat of unmanned aerial threats.
Recently featured by CBS News’ 60 Minutes, the LOCUST X3 offers cost-effective engagements below $5 per shot and sustained defense without the reload limitations of traditional defense systems.
LOCUST X3 builds on lessons learned from widely deployed systems to set a new standard in modular, AI-enabled drone defense—delivering unprecedented precision, scalability, and operational flexibility to defeat current and emerging aerial threats, including Group 1-3 unmanned aircraft systems and unmanned surface vehicles.
Recently featured by CBS News’ 60 Minutes, the LOCUST X3 offers cost-effective engagements below $5 per shot and sustained defense without the reload limitations of traditional defense systems, LOCUST X3 offers a transformative solution for modern air defense.
“In today’s rapidly evolving battlespace, adversaries are deploying mass drone attacks and saturation tactics that threaten mission success and warfighter survivability,” said Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer at AV. “With LOCUST X3, we deliver an affordable, scalable solution to outpace and neutralize large-scale aerial threats, safeguard critical infrastructure, and maintain decisive advantage wherever the fight demands.”
The new LOCUST X3 features a scalable 20–35+ kilowatt laser, a modular beam director, and advanced AI-enabled detection, tracking, and engagement automation powered by AV_Halo™ PINPOINT, part of the company’s hardware-agnostic software platform for layered counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) defense.
Aligned with Department of War’s mandated Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles, LOCUST X3 enables rapid upgrades and seamless integration across both fixed and mobile defense platforms. LOCUST X3 builds on the proven legacy of the LOCUST platform, which has been successfully fielded through the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) and Palletized High Energy Laser (PHEL) programs, and validated on platforms like the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV).
“LOCUST X3 transforms how defenders respond to the challenge of massed drone attacks,” said Mary Clum, President of AV’s Space, Cyber & Directed Energy segment. “Its modular design and advanced AI allow for resilient, adaptive protection of critical assets—on any platform, at the tactical edge or at fixed sites. With LOCUST X3, operators can now counter high-volume threats with unmatched speed, precision, and affordability.”
LOCUST X3: Precise, Persistent, and Production-Ready for Modern Defense
Designed for persistent counter-UAS defense, LOCUST X3 offers:
- Maintainability and Maneuverability in the Field: The LOCUST X3 is battle tested, leveraging hundreds of lessons learned from prior deployments that drive system performance, and field maintainability—particularly in dynamic, high-density threat environments.
- Platform Agnostic: The LOCUST X3 is ready for the fight today and in the future, regardless of configuration and platform. Seamless integration on tactical vehicles (e.g., JLTV, ISV), fixed sites for broad platform and mission compatibility, or scaled for maritime environments.
- Producibility In Mind: The third-generation LOCUST technology optimized for repeatable manufacturing and force-wide deployment. Built with modular subsystems and dual-use, commercially mature components to enable rapid production ramp, reduced unit cost at scale, and sustainable long-term support.
- Scaled Lethality: The LOCUST X3 leverages best of breed laser capability to scale the lethality of the system to be right sized from low power configurations to high power 30kW+ configurations to be right sized for all customer missions and needs.
- AV_Halo PINPOINT Precision: AV’s exclusive software delivers unmatched precision in acquisition, targeting and pointing. This removes the burden on the operator and allows them to focus on the mission while providing seamless tracking, identification, and defeat. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
25 Mar 26. Department of War and Lockheed Martin to Accelerate PrSM Deliveries, Putting Production on a Wartime Footing.
The Department of War (DoW), in partnership with Lockheed Martin, today announced a new framework agreement to accelerate the production of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). The agreement is a direct outcome of Secretary Hegseth’s mandate to move faster, put the defense industrial base on a wartime footing, and build the Arsenal of Freedom.
Under the agreement, Lockheed Martin will make targeted investments in advanced tooling, facility modernization, and critical testing equipment to slash production lead times. By focusing on these critical industrial base elements, the Department is ensuring this deep-strike capability can be delivered to the warfighter faster and more efficiently than ever before. This framework agreement also establishes the potential to negotiate a multi-year contract for up to seven years, should Congress authorize a multi-year contract in the future.
“Through this agreement, we are actively building the Arsenal of Freedom with speed and urgency,” said Michael Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment. “By empowering industry to invest in the factory floor, we are building a decisive and enduring advantage for our warfighters to outpace any potential adversary.”
This initiative is a core component of the Department’s broader Acquisition Transformation Strategy and the work of the Munitions Acceleration Council, executed in close collaboration with the Army and several DoW components, including the Economic Defense Unit. By forging partnerships with industry leaders, the Department of War is ensuring that the Arsenal of Freedom and the industrial base remain robust, responsive, and capable of delivering speed, scale, and resilience needed to deter aggression and ensure the United States and its allies are prepared to prevail in any conflict. (Source: DoD)
15 Mar 26. Department of War Secures Agreement on THAAD Seeker Production, Quadrupling Output to Bolster America’s Missile Defense.
The Department of War, in partnership with BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin, today announced a framework agreement to quadruple the production of seekers for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor. This agreement ensures the nation’s industrial might is positioned to deliver on President Trump and Secretary Hegseth’s mandate to build the Arsenal of Freedom.
The agreement follows the recent announcement with Lockheed Martin to quadruple THAAD interceptor production. By securing the industrial base for the missile’s seeker, the Department of War is moving beyond deals with prime contractors and is actively architecting the resurgence of America’s defense industrial capacity across the entire supply chain.
This agreement provides BAE Systems with the stability required for long-term investment, guaranteeing that this critical component in the supply chain is delivered at speed and scale to deter and defeat any adversary.
“Securing our supply chain is just as critical as our partnership with the prime contractors,” said Michael Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment. “This agreement with BAE Systems sends a clear, stable, long-term demand signal. We are providing the certainty our partners need to invest, expand, and hire. This is how we place the industrial base on a wartime footing.”
By locking in this critical component, the Department of War is ensuring that the nation’s capacity to build and deploy this vital defensive weapon will outpace any adversary’s threat to the United States or its allies. This is the Arsenal of Freedom in action, built to ensure peace through undeniable strength.
This initiative is a powerful demonstration of the Department’s revitalized Acquisition Transformation Strategy, put into practice by the work of the Munitions Acceleration Council. The Council is executing its mandate to dismantle barriers, forge stronger industry partnerships, and build enduring production capacity. By locking in the THAAD seeker supply, the Department is transforming to a new way of doing business, focused on speed, volume, and delivering a decisive overmatch against any threat. (Source: U.S. DoD)
25 Mar 26. Rheinmetall and AID sign Memorandum of Understanding to upgrade the MATS anti-tank mines in service with the Italian Army into MATS MK2.
Rheinmetall and AID are set to make an important contribution to modernize the anti-tank capabilities of the Italian Army.
Rheinmetall’s Italian subsidiary RWM Italia S.p.A. and Agenzia Industrie Difesa (AID), a company belonging to the Italian Ministry of Defence, have signed on the 25th of February a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to upgrade and extend the service life of the anti-tank mines MATS already in the inventory of the Italian Army since many years.
The MATS is one of the best examples of Italian technology in the field: simple, reliable, affordable and durable. Nevertheless, today an upgrade is required in order to meet the recent standards and extend the service life.
AID and RWM Italia have joint forces to develop and test the MATS MK2: it will be an evolution of the current design to meet higher safety standards and increase combat effectiveness.
RWM Italia will assume the responsibility of Design Authority for the new MATS MK2. The upgrade of the several hundred of thousands of MATS in stock will take place at RWM Italia and AID following a lean and cost-effective process flow.
According to current plans, work is scheduled to begin within the next 12 months and it will provide new jobs at both RWM Italia S.p.A. and AID.
Fabio Sgarzi, Managing Director of RWM Italia S.p.A.: “We are grateful for the Italian Armed Forces’ confidence in our capabilities and we are enthusiastic to cooperate with AID in this project. With the combat-enhanced MATS MK2, RWM Italia can contribute its expertise as a national centre of excellence for mines, sea mines, bombs, charges and warheads of all kinds.”
Fiammetta Salmoni, General Director of Agenzia Industrie Difesa (AID): “This initiative in collaboration with RWM Italia S.p.A. represents a further important step in the reactivation of public Defence production capabilities that are strategic for the country. AID’s competencies and industrial assets will contribute to the successful implementation of this programme as part of the broader set of initiatives launched since my appointment as General Director”.
12 Mar 26. Damen Shipyards Group and FN Herstal has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), laying the foundation for a strategic industrial participation in maritime defence. With this, the two parties aim to collaborate closely on the integration of FN solutions with Damen vessels, and the development of the regional, European and NATO defence eco-systems.
The agreement was signed at the BEDEX (Brussels European Defence Exhibition & Conference) event on 12 March 2026. The agreement provides for close collaboration in innovation and engineering, including the joint exploration of advanced maritime solutions and unmanned surface vessels (USVs).
The solutions that the partnership will develop are aimed at meeting current and future operational requirements of the Belgian and Dutch navies as part of the BeNeSam (Belgian-Netherlands Cooperation Accord) agreement, as well as those of NATO and European partners.
Shared vision
The agreement reflects the two parties’ ambition to develop integrated, reliable and future-proof maritime defence solutions. It is based on a shared vision, combining FN’s expertise in defence and security systems with Damen’s maritime platforms, modular ship designs, and proven integration capabilities.
Both parties will align their industrial positioning, knowledge sharing, and joint visibility towards institutional and operational stakeholders, with the aim of supporting competitive and operationally relevant solutions.
Sustainable industrial growth
This collaboration contributes to sustainable industrial growth, strengthens the defence ecosystems in Belgium and the Netherlands, and supports the development of high-quality maritime solutions within a structured, long-term partnership. With this agreement, FN and Damen confirm their joint commitment to contributing to maritime security, technological innovation, and strategic autonomy, by building on complementary expertise and a clear focus on the future of maritime defence.
Julien Compère, CEO of FN Herstal said, “The collaboration between FN and Damen opens up unprecedented perspectives in the development and innovation of integrated maritime platforms. By combining our respective expertise, we create the conditions to offer solutions with high operational added value, tailored from the outset to the current and future challenges of the world’s most demanding armed forces.”
Arnout Damen, CEO of Damen said, “This collaboration aligns with our ambition to deliver complete and integrated maritime defence solutions. Together with FN Herstal, we are strengthening our innovation capabilities, including in the field of unmanned systems, and supporting navies with solutions designed from the ground up for complex maritime operations.”
Vincent Maes, Director Damen Belgium said, “This partnership is reflective of Damen’s commitment to working together with like-minded partners to meet the needs of our clients in the defence and security sector. This is more important than ever at this time of geopolitical challenge. With this agreement, FN and Damen combine our respective capabilities in order to address emerging naval needs in national, regional and NATO spheres, providing innovative solutions for now and for the future.”
22 Mar 26. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), together with the U.S. Department of War (DoW), the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Japan’s Ministry of Defense (JMOD), successfully completed the first live target tracking exercise using the SPY-7 radar. Notably, the SPY-7 radar utilized to conduct this testing will be delivered to Japan for installation onto the first Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV).
During this exercise, the ASEV system demonstrated the ability to search, detect, identify, track and discriminate against live targets and concluded with virtual target engagements. This successful exercise highlights ASEV’s maturity of the integrated SPY-7 Aegis System.
SPY-7 Integration
With advanced detection and tracking capabilities, SPY-7 effectively counters complex threats, while enabling engagement of multiple targets and enhancing the effectiveness of naval forces in an ever-changing environment.
Executive Perspective
”Successful completion of the first live target tracking exercise of the ASEV system affirms that our integrated Aegis system is ready to detect, track and engage targets, showcasing Lockheed Martin’s ability to deliver rapid solutions in partnership with the Department of War and Japanese allies,” said Chandra Marshall, vice president of Multi-Domain Combat Solutions at Lockheed Martin.
Rheinmetall Nordic Mortar Day: Rheinmetall presents the capabilities of the next generation of European mortars
Rheinmetall has once again demonstrated its expertise in the future of indirect fire weapon systems. In winter 2026, its subsidiary Rheinmetall Nordic hosted the Rheinmetall Nordic Mortar Day. In front of high-ranking representatives of armed forces, authorities and industry partners from Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands and Germany, the company presented the latest generation of high-performance European mortar systems in a live demonstration. The focus was on the 120 mm Ragnarok mortar system and the newly developed Mortar Mission Module. This is a European, scalable solution designed to have a decisive impact on the battlefield through its speed, precision, reliability and affordability.
The Ragnarok Mortar Mission Module will provide users with true shoot/scoot capability allowing users to leave the firing position immediately after the last round is fire. The system is designed for high flexibility through its platform and barrel independence.
The live fire demonstration took place in Rena, Norway. Weather conditions were adverse, with double-digit sub-zero temperatures and high humidity. During the demonstration, the Mortar Mission Module integrated in a HX truck demonstrated its high accuracy and rapid response capability. Designed for speed and simplicity, the system can be seamlessly integrated into existing and future platforms, enabling European armed forces to enhance their capabilities easily and without significant logistical effort.
The demonstration underscored the growing importance of European cooperation in strengthening collective defence. In light of increasing geopolitical pressure and growing demand for robust capabilities on the battlefield, Rheinmetall Nordic emphasised the urgency of delivering effective, user-oriented systems that enable nations to act quickly and decisively.
‘Today’s security environment requires us to act in a targeted manner,’ said Morten Kjorum, CEO of Rheinmetall Nordic. ‘Europe’s strategic autonomy depends on providing solutions that maximise operational impact while being practical, cost-effective and rapidly deployable. The Mortar Mission Module is the result of close collaboration between Rheinmetall and European industry partners and users, based on transparency, shared goals and technological excellence.’
‘Together we are stronger,’ added Kjorum. ‘Our goal is clear: we want to deliver systems that meet the operational requirements of European soldiers at the speed that the current situation demands.’
With its scalable production presence worldwide, Rheinmetall is ready to meet the growing demand for advanced infirect fire capabilities while ensuring a resilient, sovereign supply chain.
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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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