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28 Aug 25. Officials Aim to Field Critical Technologies Rapidly, at Quantity. A panel of experts at the National Defense Industrial Association’s 2025 Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition in Washington today addressed the need to field critical systems to warfighters at speed and scale.
“We can’t let perfection be the enemy of good enough. And I don’t say that as a means to say that we’re willing to take risks and put our uniformed men and women at risk,” said Justin McRoberts, program manager for the DOD Manufacturing Science and Technology Program.
He added that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made it very clear during a Pentagon town hall held Feb. 7 when he said: “We’re going to move fast, think outside the box be disruptive — on purpose — to create a sense of urgency that I want to make sure exists inside this department.”
Building on that, McRoberts said, “we’re going to go faster, and we are going to break things, but we’re going to learn lessons and we’re going to put things into the hands of the warfighter faster. We have to think in days and weeks and months instead of years and years and years — that we’ve done for too long.”
Carbon deposits and carbon manufacturing will be important materials, as will metal alloys, said McRoberts, who specializes in advanced hypersonic materials needed for vehicles to travel at very high speeds. The panel also discussed directed energy, which includes high-powered microwaves and energy laser systems. Directed energy is a DOD priority as it can be used to defeat drone attacks and will be an important feature of Golden Dome, noted Timothy White, the director of the Army Manufacturing Technology program in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology.
“We have to make sure that we have a supply chain that is ready to support those systems as we begin to move towards production,” he added.
White said the systems are composed of intricate components that sometimes require specialized manufacturing processes, and part of the manufacturing challenge is determining how to produce those parts at scale and at an acceptable cost.
The ultimate goal is to ensure DOD is ready to have the supply chain to make those parts and scale them up, White said.
The panel also addressed advanced materials, including new alloys, polymers, ceramics and composites, multispectral materials, advanced coatings, electronic photonics and advanced electronics for sensor power and communications.
Alan Albert, the acting chief of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Manufacturing, Industrial Technologies and Energy Division, said the goal of manufacturing advanced materials is to accelerate the discovery, development and delivery of sustainable and affordable materials through a modernized science and technology infrastructure.
He added that it also includes materials for extreme environments and advanced energetic materials, and that some of these materials may not have dual civilian and military use. (Source: U.S. DoD)
27 Aug 25. DOD Official Says AI, Other Innovations Will Transform Future Warfighting. In a conflict scenario, artificial intelligence can assist the warfighter in discerning what is happening in the environment and better understand the tactics the adversary might use, thereby improving decision-making, said Emil Michael, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering. Michael provided the keynote address at the National Defense Industrial Association in Washington today. He also held a media roundtable immediately after the address. AI takes language or equations, synthesizes the information and can provide answers that are beyond the computational power of the human brain in a short time frame, he explained. Uses for AI are endless and include creating new materials, assisting Defense Department employees and contractors, modeling and simulation, and the Golden Dome, Michael said. Private industry is investing hundreds of bns of dollars each year into AI for things like software development, chips, data centers and so on, he said. Besides AI, another dual-use technology with both military and civilian applications is space-launched technology, such as satellites, he said, noting that private industry has footed most of the bill. Other nascent critical areas for DOD are hypersonics, directed energy, unmanned aerial vehicles and critical minerals, he said, highlighting that the importance of UAVs on the battlefield was demonstrated in the recent Israel-Iran conflict, as well as in Ukraine. UAVs can go from start to prototype in 18 months, something that can’t be done with manned aircraft, Michael said, adding that the systems can be user tested by warfighters, and the best ones can be quickly fielded. As for enemy drones such as those used by the Houthis, it doesn’t make sense to shoot them down with missiles that cost millions, he said. This is where directed energy can be used to good effect. Michael said to get all these innovations moving, industry needs to share risk with the department. “It’s a balance,” he said. “When there’s more shared risk, both sides can take more risks, and that will lead to speed, that will lead to invention and so on.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
26 Aug 25. Readout of U.S.-India 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue. Yesterday, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah P. Royal and State Department Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Bethany P. Morrison co-chaired the virtual U.S.-India 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue alongside Indian Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur and Indian Ministry of Defense Joint Secretary Vishwesh Negi. Through this dialogue, officials advanced bilateral initiatives, discussed regional security developments, and exchanged perspectives on a number of shared strategic priorities. They discussed trade and investment; energy security, including strengthening civil-nuclear cooperation; critical minerals exploration; counternarcotics and counterterrorism cooperation; and more. Both sides looked forward to increasing defense cooperation, including signing a new ten-year Framework for the U.S. India Major Defense Partnership, as well as advancing defense industrial, science, and technology cooperation; operational coordination; regional cooperation; and information-sharing. Participants agreed to build upon the progress made in these areas under the auspices of the U.S.-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century and beyond. The chairs reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Indo-Pacific region through the Quad. The dialogue concluded with the chairs expressing their appreciation for the productive meeting and eagerness to continue enhancing the breadth and depth of the bilateral relationship in a manner that benefits the people of America and India. (Source: U.S. DoD)
27 Aug 25. Potential government ownership in defence firms would raise compliance risks for sector. On 26 August, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that the Trump administration is ‘thinking about’ taking ownership of stakes in defence contractors. Lutnick highlighted that the US government is interested in owning equity in firms that it utilises, specifically Palantir, Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Any such move would likely replicate the Trump administration’s recent deal with the tech giant Intel. On 22 August, Intel agreed to sell the US government a 10% stake in the company. Lutnick’s confirmation of a ‘monstrous discussion’ around the defence sector indicates that such firms will likely come under greater federal scrutiny in the near term. This will likely precipitate higher compliance and regulatory risks. Furthermore, the federal government’s increasing inclination to own shares of firms (largely in critical sectors) has elevated internal disagreements within the Republican Party over government overreach into the private sector. As such, we assess that any moves to purchase shares of firms will likely spark backlash from lawmakers in Congress, raising policy stagnation and supervision quality risks. (Source: Sibylline)
26 Aug 25. Threat to deploy National Guard across US raises federal-state tensions, domestic unrest risks. On 25 August, President Donald Trump stated that the US military ‘might’ deploy to Chicago (Illinois) and is ready to go anywhere at short notice to crack down on crime. On the same day, Trump signed an executive order formalising the creation in all 50 states of specially trained National Guard units that could be mobilised quickly to ‘ensure public safety and order’. While the creation of such units would likely only come to fruition in the longer term, the move underscores Trump’s inclination to use the military on domestic soil for traditional law enforcement duties. Any use of the military specifically to quell protests will increase concerns that the constitutional rights of free speech and assembly are being infringed upon. In the interim, the threat to deploy troops to Chicago, as well as other Democratic-led cities, will put pressure on city and state leaders to take a more assertive stance on crime, raising federal-state tensions. Should troops be deployed to Chicago, we assess that targeted activism and demonstrations against the security forces will be likely, increasing domestic unrest risks. (Source: Sibylline)
25 Aug 25. DOD Systems Bolster Border Security Operations. Along the rugged terrain of the southern border, the Defense Department deploys optic systems to enhance detection and monitoring capabilities in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The ground-based operational surveillance system — expeditionary, the long-range advanced scout surveillance system, and the common remotely operated weapon station are advanced tools and unique military capabilities used by service members assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border to monitor large areas, detect illegal crossings and strengthen perimeter security in coordination with CBP agents. Whether elevated on towers, deployed from concealed positions or mounted on armored vehicles, these systems provide persistent coverage across challenging and often inaccessible landscapes. Each platform offers a unique capability, contributing to the multilayered detection and monitoring strategy in place along the southern border. The ground-based operational surveillance system — expeditionary, is an advanced fixed-position monitoring asset. Mounted on telescoping masts or permanent towers, GBOSS-E integrates electro-optical and infrared cameras, laser rangefinders and ground radar to enable nonstop observation across large sectors of terrain. From its elevated position, the system allows operators to detect, identify and geolocate movement in open desert and rugged terrain — critical for tracking groups attempting to cross into the U.S. without authorization. What makes the system unique is that it is an organic asset to military police units. By employing it in this mission, soldiers are not only enhancing border security but also building readiness by training with and refining the use of their equipment in a real-world environment.
“Integrating the GBOSS-E system into our mission set has enhanced our soldiers’ ability to detect threats from a distance. These systems allow our soldiers to pick up on movement and heat signatures through radar and camera capabilities that enhance monitoring efforts, especially at night and from a distance,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class Sean Marshall, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 759th Military Police Battalion. “In an austere environment like Yuma, where the desert extends for miles, the GBOSS-E is a force multiplier that enables us to use the terrain to our advantage.”
Long-Range Target Detection From Concealed Positions
The long-range advanced scout surveillance system provides high-fidelity visual monitoring and long-range target detection from mobile platforms such as the Stryker armored vehicle. By combining thermal imaging, day cameras, GPS, and a laser rangefinder, LRAS3 enables soldiers to observe and identify subjects from several kilometers away while remaining protected under armor and out of sight. Originally designed as a cavalry asset for reconnaissance teams in forward-deployed environments, the LRAS3 has been in use for decades. With the integration of cavalry elements into infantry formations, the system has transitioned from a specialized tool to one now available at the company level. Along the southern border, LRAS3 has found a new purpose, providing personnel with long-range detection capabilities to discreetly monitor trails, canyons and key terrain features from standoff positions. Repurposed for homeland security, the system continues to prove its value by supporting CBP operations.
“This system allows a Stryker with a mounted LRAS3 to provide U.S. Border Patrol with the information and location needed to interdict suspected illegal aliens,” said Army 1st Lt. Elias Stephenson, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. “It’s used in areas that have substantial observation capabilities to support the detection capabilities of the system and enable U.S. Border Patrol interdiction.”
Remote Observation With Defensive Capability
The common remotely operated weapon station provides operators with long-range observation capabilities. Mounted on Stryker armored vehicles, CROWS allows soldiers to detect and track activity while remaining protected inside the vehicle. Equipped with stabilized optics, thermal and day cameras and a laser rangefinder, the system is now employed along the southern border strictly as a detection and monitoring asset. Originally designed to integrate with crew-served weapons in combat zones, the system has been repurposed for homeland security missions to provide personnel with long-range observation capability without its traditional armament. This adaptation highlights its versatility — enabling soldiers and Department of Homeland Security personnel to maintain persistent watch over high-risk border sectors while remaining protected inside their vehicles. The common remotely operated weapon station is a remote camera system on the Stryker that is normally used for the Stryker’s mounted machine gun for targeting in combat.
“For the southern border mission, we don’t have weapons mounted. So, it’s been repurposed to extend our duration for detection and monitoring capabilities. This allows our vehicle commanders to detect individuals at greater distances and enable border apprehensions,” Stephenson said.
Integrated Systems, Unified Mission
Together, GBOSS-E, LRAS3 and CROWS demonstrate the unique military capabilities that DOD contributes to border security operations. By combining advanced surveillance platforms, specialized training and the ability to operate in austere environments, these systems strengthen detection and monitoring efforts across the southern border. Their integration also reflects the close partnership between DOD and DHS in protecting national sovereignty and disrupting illicit activity. As the mission continues, these systems remain vital to detecting movement, monitoring critical areas and supporting soldiers and law enforcement personnel working together to secure the southern border, Stephenson said. (Source: U.S. DoD)
25 Aug 25. Report to Congress on US Army’s Small UAS Program. The U.S. Army has requested Fiscal Year 2026 funding for small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS, commonly referred to as drones). These systems support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); target acquisition and strike; electronic warfare operations; and other missions. Congress has expressed an interest in the U.S. military’s UAS capabilities and in the Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) ability to develop, acquire, and integrate such systems into tactical units. In proposed FY 2026 defense authorization and appropriations legislation, Congress is considering whether to approve, modify or deny the Army’s requested funding and its plans for incorporating these systems into Army units. This product primarily covers Group 1 and 2 UAS — that is, those sUAS that weigh less than 55 pounds and fly at or below 3,500 feet above ground level. In 1988, at the direction of Congress (see P.L. 100-202, 101 Stat. 1329-60), DOD published its first “Master Plan” for uncrewed aircraft, establishing requirements and an acquisition strategy for UAS. The plan recommended a “close range” UAS for “lower level tactical units,” one that could be acquired in large numbers and at low cost. Beginning in the 2000s, the AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven, a 4-pound fixed-wing aircraft, largely filled this role for the Army. By 2010, the Army reportedly fielded close to 4,000 Raven aircraft. The Marine Corps, Special Operations Command, and the Air Force also adopted the Raven. In February 2024, then-Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth and Army Chief of Staff General Randy George announced plans to phase the RQ-11 Raven out of service as part of a broader “rebalance” of the Army’s aviation investments and to “increase investments in research and development to expand and accelerate the Army’s unmanned aerial reconnaissance capability.” Under the ongoing Transformation in Contact (TiC) initiative, first revealed by General George in December 2023, the Army is evaluating various types of sUAS and the potential force structure requirements that may accompany the integration of these systems into ground units. The second Trump Administration has sought to encourage the Army’s adoption of drones and reduce perceived barriers to the development and procurement of sUAS within DOD. In an April 30, 2025, memorandum, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth directed the Army to implement a comprehensive transformation strategy, including by fielding unmanned systems and ground/air launched effects “in every Division by the end of 2026.” In a July 16, 2025, press release, DOD stated that Secretary Hegseth had issued a second, department-wide memorandum, “rescinding restrictive policies that hindered drone production.” The full 3-page report can be accessed here: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/IF/PDF/IF12668/IF12668.3.pdf (Source: UAS VISION/CONGRESS.GOV)
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Founded in 1987, Exensor Technology is a world leading supplier of Networked Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) Systems providing tailored sensor solutions to customers all over the world. From our Headquarters in Lund Sweden, our centre of expertise in Network Communications at Communications Research Lab in Kalmar Sweden and our Production site outside of Basingstoke UK, we design, develop and produce latest state of the art rugged UGS solutions at the highest quality to meet the most stringent demands of our customers. Our systems are in operation and used in a wide number of Military as well as Homeland Security applications worldwide. The modular nature of the system ensures any external sensor can be integrated, providing the user with a fully meshed “silent” network capable of self-healing. Exensor Technology will continue to lead the field in UGS technology, provide our customers with excellent customer service and a bespoke package able to meet every need.
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