Sponsored By Oxley Developments
www.oxleygroup.com
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
16 Jan 26. S. Korea’s KF-21 Boramae completes flight test programme. The KF-21 Boramae 4.5-generation fighter from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has now completed its flight test programme. The milestone was achieved on 12 January, two months ahead of schedule, as announced by South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The 42-month test programme comprised 1,600 flights flown by six KF-21 prototypes, including two twin-seat aircraft. More than 13,000 test points were examined. DAPA added that the final test flight involved the fourth KF-21 prototype, which departed from KAI’s Sacheon facility and conducted flight performance verification. Following completion of the extensive flight test programme, the fighter will transition to its system development phase in the first half of 2026. Deliveries of initial-production KF-21 aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) are then scheduled to begin in the second half of this year. The ROKAF has 40 air-to-air-optimised KF-21 Block I aircraft on order, with 20 planned for production by 2027 and a further 20 by 2028. The air force is then expected to place an order for Block II aircraft, which add enhanced air-to-ground capabilities and other improvements, giving the KF-21 a more multirole operational capability. Another variant, the KF-21EX – previously known as the Block III – is being developed specifically to qualify as a fifth-generation fighter. It features an internal weapons bay for increased low observability. KAI is also keenly eying the export market for the KF-21. However, Indonesia, a key programme partner, has faced issues with delayed payments and allegations of data theft, which have hindered its full commitment. In June 2025, South Korea and Indonesia renegotiated Jakarta’s participation in the programme, reducing its original contribution from KRW1.6 trillion (US$1.12 billion) to KRW600 billion. Under the new terms, Indonesia will no longer receive the fifth KF-21 prototype for its own flight testing and weapons integration. Reports also indicate that Indonesia has recently initiated negotiations for the acquisition of 16 KF-21 Block II aircraft. The Philippines could also emerge as a potential KF-21 customer, and media reports suggest Manila is in talks to purchase between 12 and 24 aircraft. In all, the Philippine Air Force requires 40 multirole fighters. (Source: AMR)
15 Jan 26. CRPA-Driven GNSS Solutions for Anti-Jamming and Interference Mitigation in Ultra-Reliable PNT Systems. Defense Advancement showcases EDGE Microwave’s CRPA-based GNSS anti-jamming and interference mitigation solutions for ultra-reliable PNT protection. EDGE Microwave is a provider of CRPA (Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna)-based anti-jamming and interference mitigation solutions for GNSS receivers. As a supplier partner, Defense Advancement is showcasing innovative solutions and capabilities across EDGE Microwave’s supplier profile. EDGE Microwave’s CRPA solutions utilize multiple antenna elements to shape the GNSS signal reception pattern and suppress interference, directing nulls towards jamming devices and beams towards legitimate satellite signals. The low-SWaP and highly cost-effective systems are easy to retrofit into a wide range of vehicles, aircraft, vessels and soldier equipment, providing robust protection and ensuring successful mission outcomes.
HEDGE-8008
The HEDGE-8008 is a state-of-the-art CRPA-based anti-jamming and interference mitigation solution that provides robust protection for GPS L1, Galileo E1 and BeiDou B1 GNSS signals in challenging and high-interference environments. With eight channels of satellite signal reception, it utilizes sophisticated adaptive beamforming and null-steering control technologies to provide up to seven simultaneous jammer suppressions, ensuring continuous and reliable PNT even in the face of electronic warfare attacks.
HEDGE-4008
The HEDGE-4008 is an advanced four-element CRPA solution that provides anti-jamming and interference mitigation on both the L1 and L2 GNSS bands, ensuring that vehicles and equipment receive reliable and accurate RTK corrections in real time for centimeter-level navigation and positioning.
The compact and lightweight unit provides up to 3 independent jammer suppressions per band, providing exceptional anti-jam performance in a small footprint. Designed to MIL-STD-810H and MIL-STD-461F standards, it is highly resilient against vibration, humidity, RF interference and other demanding battlefield conditions. To find out more about Edge Microwave and their CRPA-Based GNSS anti-jamming and interference mitigation solutions, please visit their profile page: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/company/edge-microwave/ (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
15 Jan 26. ANELLO Photonics Unveils Resilient Aerial Navigation System for Contested Environments. ANELLO Photonics’ Aerial INS combines SiPhOG™ technology, advanced sensor fusion, and integrated GNSS to deliver resilient, high-accuracy navigation for aerial platforms operating in GPS-denied and contested environments. ANELLO Photonics has introduced the ANELLO Aerial INS, a high-performance Inertial Navigation System (INS) designed to provide reliable positioning for aerial platforms operating in challenging or contested environments. The system is built around the company’s proprietary Silicon Photonic Optical Gyroscope (SiPhOG) technology and features integrated multi-band GNSS receivers. This hardware is supported by an advanced EKF-based sensor fusion engine and algorithms specifically tuned for flight profiles. The system is intended for use in Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), maritime Vertical Take-Off Landing (VTOL) UAS, special-mission aircraft, and heavy-lift cargo drones. A primary technical advantage of the new system is its ability to deliver less than 0.5 degrees per hour of unaided heading drift. This allows aircraft to maintain accurate navigation and control during high-dynamic maneuvers or when facing GNSS jamming, spoofing, or total signal occlusion. The navigation solution is designed to function in fully GNSS-denied environments, such as over water, in desert corridors, or during low-visibility missions involving fog or cloud cover, without the need for external cameras or fiber-optic cables. The compact, low-power system features flight-profile-optimised algorithms and a rugged, vibration-tolerant design, enabling reliable deployment across multirotor, fixed-wing, and VTOL aerial platforms. The unit features dual triple-frequency all-constellation GNSS receivers capable of static heading and RTK/PPP corrections. For integration, the system includes drivers for PX4 and ArduPilot flight stacks and supports standard interfaces including Ethernet, RS-232, RS-422, and CAN. It also offers an NMEA-compliant interface, allowing it to serve as a drop-in replacement for conventional GNSS receivers while providing enhanced spoofing detection and resilient holdover.
Dr. Mario Paniccia, co-founder and CEO of ANELLO Photonics, commented, “Customers flying real missions need resilient navigation when GPS isn’t reliable. By combining our SiPhOGs with our airborne-optimized sensor-fusion algorithms and integrated multi-band GNSS, the ANELLO Aerial INS delivers accurate navigation solutions in a cost-effective SWaP-friendly package. This allows UAVs to hold course through GPS jamming, multipath, spoofing, or outages using only ANELLO without the need for cameras or fiber-optic cables and allows the warfighter to complete their mission safely and successfully.”
The technology has been validated through U.S. Department of Defense operational test events, reinforcing its suitability for fixed-wing and VTOL platforms.
Dan Magy, CEO at Firestorm, added, “The ANELLO SiPhOG™ technology is a game changer for our warfighters. The ability to navigate in GPS-denied or spoofed environments without cameras or fiber-optic cables—in small, lightweight systems—are essential for future combat missions. The ANELLO team has developed an Aerial solution that seamlessly integrates into existing avionics with minimal effort. This type of capability is essential in today’s conflict areas where our adversaries actively disrupt GPS, making ANELLO a powerful upgrade for all modern aerial platforms.”
The ANELLO Aerial INS is currently available for evaluation, with full production shipments scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026. (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
15 Jan 26. Next-Generation Rugged Computing with X-ES & Intel Core Ultra Series 3. New Single Board Computers (SBCs) leverage Intel 18A process technology and hybrid architecture to deliver high-performance AI and real-time processing in extreme environments. Extreme Engineering Solutions (X-ES) has launched its latest line of Single Board Computers (SBCs) featuring the Intel Core Ultra (Series 3) processors, formerly code-named Panther Lake, designed for mission-critical reliability in harsh operational conditions. These platforms represent the first Intel processors produced on the 18A process, an advanced 1.8 nm-class semiconductor manufacturing technology. This shift in fabrication enables higher computational performance alongside reduced power consumption. The hardware is specifically engineered to excel in real-time processing and data-intensive workloads where non-negotiable reliability is required. The Series 3 architecture utilizes a three-tier hybrid core system, combining performance cores, efficiency cores, and low-power efficiency cores for a total of up to 16 cores. This design allows the system to match compute resources to specific workload demands with high efficiency. For specialized operations, mixed-criticality compute cores separate latency-sensitive tasks from general throughput workloads, ensuring deterministic operation across diverse mission profiles. Thermal management and power scaling are handled through distributed core usage. This allows the boards to balance performance and efficiency across the full processor temperature range without the need for Dynamic Temperature Range (DTR) restrictions or system reboots. The boards support up to 64 GB of LPDDR5 SDRAM with native in-band ECC, providing the high-bandwidth memory and data integrity necessary for extended temperature ranges and long-life deployments. For AI and graphical tasks, the platforms integrate the new GFX Xe3 architecture GPU, which delivers speeds up to four times faster than previous generations. This is complemented by an integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) 5.0, providing dedicated AI acceleration with up to a threefold increase in performance measured in TOPS. The built-in Intel Arc graphics can access more than 50% of system memory to push advanced AI performance to the network edge. High-speed connectivity is facilitated by 20 lanes of PCIe, including 12 lanes of PCIe Gen5, to support throughput-intensive peripherals such as NICs and GPU co-processors. To ensure long-term program stability, the processors offer a 10+ year supply life assurance, providing predictable availability for embedded and mission-critical systems. (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
13 Jan 26. Naval Research Lab Sharpens Navy’s Sights With Domain-Centric Path for Smarter Sensing. The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory launched a remote sensing experiment to sharpen artificial intelligence applications in hyperspectral imaging across the Navy Department and broader scientific community. Hyperspectral imaging, often described as capturing “the color of color,” provides a unique spectral fingerprint for each pixel. Combined with AI, these fingerprints support powerful tools for detecting subtle material differences and observing environmental change. In coastal and aquatic environments, such AI tools could help identify hazardous materials, monitor infrastructure degradation and assess natural resources with unprecedented accuracy. The initiative, known as the Coastal Hyperspectral Reflectance Object Material Analysis experiment, ran Sept. 4-19, 2025, as part of the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Open Community experiment.
“NRL was a key partner in the success of ROCX,” said John Kerekes, RIT research professor. “The variety of material deployments on water and land enriched the overall value of the experiment, and the professionalism of their staff was a great example for participating students and collaborators.”
Led by Kerekes, the multiagency effort brought together federal, academic and industry partners to collect detailed imaging data and match it with on-the-ground measurements.
“The Navy has always depended on its ability to sense, interpret and respond to the environment,” said Gautam Trivedi, NRL’s information operations branch head. “With CHROMA, we’re building the foundation for the next generation of environmental intelligence, where AI and advanced sensing work hand-in-hand.”
The laboratory is leveraging multiscale data collected from airborne platforms, unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites over engineered and natural targets at the Tait Preserve in Penfield, New York — an environment chosen for its coastal and aquatic-adjacent features.
“This experiment moves hyperspectral technology out of the lab and into a realistic operational setting,” said Joey Mathews, NRL information technology division superintendent. “It represents a critical step in elevating the technology readiness level of AI-enhanced sensing applications, moving us toward demonstrations that directly support naval missions.”
A Multiplatform, Domain-Centric Approach
The NRL team synchronized flights and different types of sensors to capture observations nearly simultaneously. This approach ensures data from satellites, airplanes, drones and ground sensors can be accurately compared, offering researchers a richer dataset to build better AI. CHROMA’s design centers on generating detailed, multimodal datasets of known material spectral responses. Researchers collected measurements from custom-fabricated metal panels with painted coatings, as well as from natural rock and mineral samples. These targets serve as known reference points — like the bull’s-eye on a target — for improving AI algorithms that solve a longstanding remote sensing challenge called hyperspectral unmixing. Hyperspectral unmixing is the process of separating mixed spectral signatures within a single pixel. When unresolved, mixed pixels can obscure object detection and reduce identification accuracy — especially in complex, cluttered coastal environments.
“We are enhancing the efficacy of AI-driven approaches in resolving subpixel material compositions,” said Katarina Doctor, NRL CHROMA project lead. “By methodically changing the targets and viewing them with different sensors, we can learn how an object’s signature changes based on its material, the weather and the type of sensor used to view it.”
Doctor emphasized the data’s direct application to naval missions, stating it will significantly improve our ability to detect and identify objects in crowded littoral zones. She noted that this improved hyperspectral detection is key to assessing threats, monitoring critical infrastructure and ensuring the Navy maintains a clear operational advantage in any coastal environment.
Elevating Naval Survivability
The NRL Signature Technology Office contributed coated panels for the experiment, supporting research on how artificial surfaces appear in natural maritime settings.
“This project, enhanced by Doctor’s work with advanced AI, uses the collected data to develop more effective camouflage coatings that will make naval platforms harder to detect by advanced surveillance systems,” said Scott Ramsey, head of the NRL Signature Technology Office. “This research is key to improving naval asset survivability by making them harder to spot against natural backgrounds.”
The resulting AI systems will be better able to distinguish between natural environments, like the ocean surface, and coated, fabricated objects, like a ship’s hull. The approach provides reference points for evaluating how AI-based unmixing performs across varying environmental and spectral conditions.
Data for the Global Research Community
Doctor said ROCX will produce comprehensive hyperspectral datasets, encompassing engineered surfaces, geological samples and a range of environmental conditions. The dataset will be shared openly with the remote sensing community, supporting defense and civilian research in coastal resource management, environmental intelligence and infrastructure monitoring. ROCX’s multiplatform framework ensures experiment data is broadly applicable and scientifically rigorous. The combined dataset also enables researchers to study how an object’s spectral signature is affected by its material properties, the atmosphere and other environmental factors.
“The integration of diverse data types is what makes CHROMA unique,” Mathews said. “It’s not just about building better algorithms — it’s about understanding how they perform in the complexity of the real world.”
AI’s Domain-Centric Future
CHROMA also reflects a shift in AI development from traditional, model-centric approaches toward what researchers call Domain-Centric AI. This approach embeds expert scientific knowledge into the AI development process from the start, ensuring the final system understands the real-world context of its mission, which makes the AI more reliable.
“This paradigm addresses the ‘why’ behind the data. Real-world applicability and trustworthiness depend heavily on understanding the problem’s context and leveraging specialized human expertise,” Doctor said. “The ROCX experiment is a prime example of Domain-Centric AI. We are not just gathering raw information — we are creating a dataset informed by deep understanding of the target materials, their environment and the sensors collecting them, which makes the resulting AI models more effective.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
13 Jan 26. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has demonstrated a secure testing environment for microelectronics used in radiation-prone areas, such as space and nuclear facilities, under DARPA’s Advanced Sources for Single-event Effects Radiation Testing (ASSERT) program. This innovation can drastically reduce wait times faced at national testing facilities from years to months. Microelectronics used in space and nuclear environments must be radiation-hardened to withstand extreme radiation levels and prevent performance malfunctions or damage. These systems must be rigorously tested to ensure they can function before entering the field. Since there are only four heavy-ion radiation testing facilities in the United States, testing can take years.
Northrop Grumman’s new technology drastically aims to reduce testing time, enabling processes that:
- Produce a tenfold reduction in the time it takes to design, test and deploy microelectronics used in space and nuclear facilities.
- Test space-bound and nuclear microelectronics in a more compact and portable laboratory environment, which currently does not exist.
- Simulate the same randomized radiation conditions that microelectronics experience in extreme environments, ensuring resiliency and operability when it matters most.
Expert:
Jonathan Green, vice president and chief technology officer, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, “Northrop Grumman’s decades of engineering excellence applied to DARPA’s ASSERT program resulted in this industry-changing solution. Improving these testing capabilities will significantly reduce the lead time on these critical microelectronics, ensuring our customers are receiving the systems they need faster than ever.”
Details on Program:
DARPA’s ASSERT program aims to revolutionize radiation-hardened microelectronics by developing compact, laboratory-scale alternatives to heavy-ion test facilities.
Northrop Grumman is partnering with Vanderbilt University and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to utilize laser plasma accelerator (LPA) technology, which is a compact, high-energy electron beam source for testing. This allows tests on packaged or stacked devices, like 3D-heterogeneous microelectronics, which current laser testing and other surrogate sources cannot currently perform. Built on decades of engineering and mission expertise for deep space observatories and national security missions where capturing the sharpest imagery is crucial to protect the homeland, subject matter experts from Northrop Grumman’s Adaptive Optics Associates-Xinetics (AOX) programs supported the development of the LPA prototype by rigorously testing it to ensure the technology is ready for, and capable of, withstanding the harshest environments.
13 Jan 26. Curtiss-Wright and Green Hills Software today announced the availability of a new high-performance commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solution that brings safety-certifiable computing to a broader range of aerospace applications. The integrated platform combines Curtiss-Wright’s SOSA® aligned V3-1222 3U VPX processing module with Green Hills Software’s FACE® certified INTEGRITY®-178 tuMP™ real-time operating system (RTOS). The combined solution delivers an efficient and proven path to deploy open standards-based advanced multicore systems in environments that demand the highest levels of functional safety assurance, including airworthiness certification.
“This solution delivers a modular and safety-certifiable computing foundation that reduces integration risk and helps customers bring critical capabilities to market faster,” said Lee Brown, general manager of C5ISR, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions. “As technology cycles accelerate, it’s essential that we support our customers with proven tools to meet safety requirements while keeping pace with mission needs. This collaboration helps accomplish both.”
The Curtiss-Wright V3-1222 features the 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor, which combines six performance-cores and eight efficient-cores, along with integrated Intel® Iris® Xe graphics—all in a single-slot 3U VPX footprint. Green Hills Software’s INTEGRITY-178 tuMP RTOS supports both bound multi-processing (BMP) and symmetric multi-processing (SMP), allowing developers to assign specific workloads to optimal core types to maximize throughput and determinism. In addition to running multiple workloads in parallel, INTEGRITY-178 tuMP uniquely enables a multi-threaded, safety-critical workload to execute across multiple cores. Together, these technologies support system developers targeting the highest Design Assurance Level (DAL A) certification objectives, including compliance with A(M)C 20-193/DO-178C and A(M)C 20-152A/DO-254 guidance.
“The combination of the INTEGRITY-178 tuMP RTOS running on the V3-1222 presents unique opportunities to take advantage of the hybrid architecture of the 13th Gen Intel®Core™ i7 processor,” said Renu Navale, VP and general manager, Critical Infrastructure, Federal & Aerospace Division, Intel Corporation. “Avionics systems can benefit from optimizing power efficiency and determinism by assigning tasks that are high-priority but lower in processing requirements to the more efficient E-cores.”
This solution is engineered to meet the demanding needs of programs requiring certifiable multicore computing, including:
- Defense applications: tactical radar systems, flight control computers, and sensor fusion
- Commercial aviation: digital cockpit systems, primary and multifunction displays, enhanced flight vision systems
- Industrial and air mobility: autonomous flight control, safety-critical robotics, and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) platforms
Curtiss-Wright and Green Hills Software have a long history of collaboration on Intel processor-based safety-certifiable platforms. The new V3-1222 solution builds on prior joint efforts, adding significantly more processing power and graphics capability while maintaining support for rigorous safety and airworthiness requirements. The V3-1222 also includes unique board-level features such as a CardFail signal tied to onboard Built-In Test capabilities, and support for high-bandwidth PCIe Gen 3 lanes, enabling advanced data throughput in system architectures. The V3-1222 processing module includes trusted computing features to protect against physical and remote attacks. The INTEGRITY-178 tuMP RTOS provides a Multiple Independent Levels of Security (MILS) operating environment capable of hosting Multi-Level Security (MLS) applications and has been used to meet National Security Agency’s “Raise the Bar” security standard for cross domain solutions (CDS).
For more information, visit https://defense-solutions.curtisswright.com and https://www.ghs.com/integrity-178.
13 Jan 26. New simulation capability boosts UK military advantage. ACE developed two complementary modelling tools that bolster the Ministry of Defence’s rapid tactical decision-making abilities, balancing speed and complexity.
Impact: Faster scenario testing and improved decision confidence for the Ministry of Defence that will enhance mission impact by directly influencing field performance.
Modelling and simulations that stress-test military readiness and potential hostile scenarios are a critical part of providing an effective deterrent, ensuring UK military advantage.
Being able to quickly and accurately model deployment options is crucial for rapid tactical decision-making, but the Ministry of Defence (MoD) found a gap in its simulation arsenal.
An existing high-fidelity tool was too slow and resource-intensive for scenarios involving thousands of objects, but the low-fidelity version lacked sufficient detail for optimising capability planning and risk assessment.
A new model at pace
Enter the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE). Traditionally, procurement in this area is slow and expensive, using large suppliers and rigid methods. This project broke that mould, bringing in smaller, innovative tech companies and using Agile delivery at pace through the ACE team for the first time.
To maximise collaboration, two supplier teams exploring different approaches ran in parallel using reinforcement learning. This sparked innovation by sharing learning as a step to producing medium fidelity tools that balance speed and complexity.
Ultimately, two complementary tools – NEMESIS and ARCUS – were developed within nine months – a process that would traditionally have taken years.
NEMESIS, a simulation and modelling environment for missile defence scenarios developed by suppliers ADSP and Riskaware, was developed beyond a minimum viable product to include enhanced features such as ballistic motion and intercept strategies.
ARCUS, meanwhile, was developed by a consortium of Skyral, Frazer-Nash Consultancy and Principle One. This agent-based simulation laboratory provides a visualisation and analytics layer for operational planning and enables real-time scenario exploration as well as integration with NEMESIS outputs. It also features improved user experience for analysts and decision-makers, reducing complexity in interpreting simulation data.
Collaborating to succeed
Collaboration was at the heart of delivery of both tools. Teams shared progress through in-person, end-of-sprint presentations, giving each other visibility and prompting fresh ideas. Regular user engagement sessions ensured feedback was built in early and often, keeping solutions tightly aligned with customer needs.
This approach has been a showcase for Agile in defence — delivering high value for money, faster results and far greater flexibility than traditional methods.
One supplier team has already been extended through to the end of the financial year for further iteration, and the MoD has been delighted with process and outcomes so far.
With strong collaboration, innovation from SMEs and empowered customer involvement, this project is setting a new benchmark for delivery in defence. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
09 Jan 26. Navy F-35 pilots train to wield drones with touchscreen tablets. Navy pilots have successfully completed training to wield multiple drones from the cockpits of F-35 Lightning II fighter planes using touchscreen tablets. The landmark tactical exercise took place at the Pentagon’s Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Maryland. The advanced modeling and simulation technology at the JSE enables pilots to effectively gain flying experience on a variety of missions and practice tactics in a secure environment.
“Modern warfare is demanding more from our aviators. This milestone shows the Joint Simulation Environment’s impact on equipping them with the advanced tactics they need to win future battles,” NAWCAD Commander Rear Adm. Todd Evans stated in a release.
The tactical exercise saw the F-35 pilots use the tablets to control multiple Collaborative Combat Aircraft at once. These autonomous unmanned systems, operating with artificial intelligence, can be used as “loyal wingmen” by aviators.
Both pilots and drones engaged in combat as partners during the training, communicating with each other and striking targets with precision-guided missiles. Last year saw major developments in tactical human-machine teaming in the air, with U.S. Air Force pilots integrating two Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie drones into combat maneuvers at Florida’s Eglin Air Force Base. It also saw increased integration between Marine F-35 and Air Force F-22 pilots, who operated as a joint force for the first time last year in training at the JSE. The JSE plans to add new aircraft and weapons systems to its training center in fiscal year 2026, which include the EA-18G Growler, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. (Source: Defense News)
09 Jan 26. Parry Labs, a defense technology company delivering modular open systems and edge infrastructure for the modern battlespace, is partnering with AeroVironment Inc (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) to architect, develop, deliver, and integrate Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA)-aligned digital engineering, software, and mission system hardware for the newly developed P550™ uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for the U.S. Army’s Long Range Reconnaissance (LRR) program. As mission systems integrator, Parry Labs is embedding its proven mission system components into P550 to ensure the Army receives a platform that evolves with the mission and interoperates across the Family of Systems. For this program, Parry Labs will provide expertise in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) development and open software operating environments to help AV implement the capabilities required by the LRR program and enable future integration of new capabilities. Parry’s offering includes STRATIA®, delivered under a multi-year Enterprise License Agreement, to rapidly scale adoption of open systems software across AV’s product lines. STRATIA provides the digital infrastructure for rapid integration of command and control (C2), autonomy, and AI applications at the edge. The all-battery electric, high-performance P550 delivers long-range ISR capabilities alongside lethal effects crucial to the LRR mission, with capabilities enhanced by Parry Labs’ modular mission systems.
“Our work with AV demonstrates how Parry Labs offers unique expertise in building scalable and interoperable systems based on government requirements while anticipating future mission needs,” said Dave Walsh, Chief Technology Officer of Parry Labs. “STRATIA simplifies integration of new capabilities while reducing the cost and time needed to implement across AV’s platforms.”
“Partnership is central to delivering the Army’s LRR requirements,” said Trace Stevenson, President of Autonomous Systems for AV. “Parry Labs’ mission systems expertise strengthens P550’s MOSA foundation, delivering payload flexibility, software updates, and interoperability across the Family of Systems.”
About Parry Labs
Parry Labs is a defense technology company delivering open, modular software and precision hardware that enables the U.S. military and its allies to modernize, connect, and deploy new capabilities with speed and impact. Through the unification of autonomy, AI, and command and control, Parry Labs builds integrated, mission-ready platforms built for the fight, designed to move faster, adapt smarter, and deliver advantage where it matters most. For more information, visit www.parrylabs.com and follow us on LinkedIn. (Source: PR Newswire)
04 Dec 25. Metalysis, the end-to-end manufacturer of solid-state metal and alloy powders, and global leader in materials science, is now producing high-purity aluminium scandium alloy powder (Al₃Sc), meeting growing critical requirements from the semiconductor, aerospace and defence sectors as Western manufacturers seek secure, non-Chinese sources of REEs and critical minerals. Metalysis is based across two sites in South Yorkshire, UK – and is a key midstream asset for the UK and Her allies. The UK’s critical mineral strategy: Vision 2035, published on 22nd November, commits the UK to building-out its midstream as a strategic imperative. Metalysis currently produces a high scandium-loaded aluminium scandium alloy, currently achieving 36 weight % / 25 atomic % scandium (64 weight % / 75 atomic % aluminium) in fully homogenised form, with oxygen levels at just 500 ppm and carbon at 50 ppm. This ultra-low impurity content ensures sputtering targets meet the strict quality demands of semiconductor manufacturing. The material is available in powder or consolidated disc formats. The alloy at 36 weight % / 25 atomic % scandium is in high demand from international manufacturers of sputtering targets which are used in thin film deposition to apply aluminium scandium nitride (AlScN) coatings to semiconductor components. AlScN delivers next-generation bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filters and resonators with superior piezoelectric properties – essential for advanced 5G and higher network rollout, Wi-Fi expansion, AI applications, and the Internet of Things. The aluminium scandium alloy can be diluted with aluminium by customers so producing a lower scandium loading and this master alloy edition can be used in aerospace and defence applications. “Scandium alloys are increasingly replacing titanium and legacy aluminium alloy components in DoD systems due to their superior lightweight, high-strength characteristics.” – Dr. Vic Ramdass, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, August 5th 2025. Unlike traditional melting processes, which require costly scandium metal and face challenges in achieving uniform homogenisation, Metalysis uses its patented FFC Cambridge electrolysis process to directly co-reduce scandium oxide and aluminium oxide feedstocks in a molten calcium chloride electrolyte at 650–950°C. This solid-state process consumes less energy, allows market-making high scandium loadings, whilst delivering a fully homogenised alloy with consistent performance characteristics. Metalysis is a midstream asset for the UK and Her allies – able to process material in the West – circumventing China which controls 90% of the midstream processing market – and thus is a key element of the UK and West’s critical minerals strategy. Recent Chinese government export controls (April, with expansion threatened October) on rare earth elements, including scandium, and ongoing instability re their supply have accelerated Western supply chain diversification. Metalysis sources scandium oxide from multiple global suppliers, ensuring a secure and diversified feedstock supply. Gen 2 units serve as development units and have recently doubled in number at Metalysis to four. At capacity each can produce up to 350kg of Al3Sc annually, with the market for aluminium scandium estimated at 3-4 tonnes a year. Through its various Gen units, Metalysis is strategically placed to meet this demand. The larger Gen 3 units will enable output of tonnes per year per unit. The company’s largest Gen 4 units can produce tens of tonnes annually so meeting demand as the market grows. Metalysis recently completed Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) and hot pressing of its 36 wt % aluminium scandium powder in partnership with RHP-Technology GmbH, to produce discs which demonstrate the material’s physical and chemical properties via this process. Chemical composition was uniform throughout the disc and relative densities exceeding 98% were achieved. SPS trials were also conducted to achieve 10wt % scandium loadings via dilution with aluminium powder, demonstrating the versatility to produce an array of scandium containing aluminium alloys, in line with market requirements.
Nitesh Shah, CEO: “Metalysis has a clear strategy focused on premium critical materials. Our aluminium scandium alloy is fully homogenised and extremely low in impurities, making it ideal for high-performance applications in semiconductor manufacturing, whilst defence and aerospace manufacturers are exploring applications of lower scandium loadings. The recent REE export controls from China have accelerated urgent adoption of our aluminium scandium alloys, and we are now scaling production to meet this demand, moving from our Gen 2 units today to tonne-scale output from Gen 3 in the coming months.”
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Oxley Group Ltd
Oxley offer a range of Military Marine NVG friendly LED lighting that includes navigation lights and controls, flight deck landing lights and interior compartment lighting. Our lighting products are used by Navies around the world including our own Royal Navy on UK Aircraft Carriers, Canadian Frigates, Swedish Submarines, Australian Surface vessels and Submarines, on board French Naval Carriers and in Naval Gun Turrets.
https://oxleydevelopments.cmail20.com/t/t-l-cdhkulk-yujhutkljd-r/
The technology is extremely energy efficient and built robustly, with proven long life. The lighting is NVG friendly, dimmable and programmable to allow for operations with aircraft pilots using military night vision goggles. They offer superior design giving high reliability for the most demanding environments with high sealing and the ability to meet the most stringent EMC standards.
https://oxleydevelopments.cmail20.com/t/t-l-cdhkulk-yujhutkljd-y/
Oxley are proud to say that we are working in partnership with SeaKing to enable a control panel to be offered with our LED Navigation Lighting. All of Oxley navigation lights have been specifically developed for vessels over 50 metres.
Contact Marcus Goad on 07850 917 263 for more information or to arrange samples.
Oxley specialises in the design and manufacture of advanced electronic and electro-optic components and systems for air, land and sea applications within the military sector. Established in 1942, Oxley has manufacturing facilities in the UK and USA and enjoys representation worldwide. The company’s products include night vision and LED lighting, data capture systems and electronic components. Oxley has pioneered the development of night vision compatible lighting. It offers a total package incorporating optical filters, equipment modification, cockpit and external lighting along with fleet wide upgrade services including engineering, installation, support, maintenance and training. The company’s long experience of manufacturing night vision lighting and LED indicators, coupled with advances in LED technology, has enabled it to develop LED solutions to replace incandescent and fluorescent lighting in existing applications as well as becoming the lighting option of choice in new applications such as portable military hospitals, UAV control stations and communication shelters.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–