U.S 

Washington, — The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) plans to integrate the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) onto the U.S. Air Force’s B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers, expanding their long-range maritime strike capabilities. According to a presolicitation notice issued on October 7, NAVAIR intends to award a sole-source contract to Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control under an existing basic ordering agreement. The proposed Cost Plus Fixed Fee delivery order will cover missile software updates, integration testing, test asset repairs and failure review boards. The response deadline is October 22, 2026.   B-52H to Gain Long-Range Anti-Ship Capability The B-52H can already carry up to 20 AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), the land-attack missile from which LRASM was developed. The two weapons share similar dimensions and hardware characteristics, providing a basis for integration, although software updates and testing will still be required. Naval News first reported the possibility of integrating LRASM onto the B-52 in 2019, but the effort did not advance for several years. Lockheed Martin is the intended contractor because it designed, developed and manufactures the missile and holds the technical data required for integration. The subsonic, stealth-oriented LRASM is designed to attack surface vessels, including moving ships, from long distances. Its integration would give the B-52H another option for maritime strike missions, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, where the United States is preparing for potential contingencies involving China’s expanding naval fleet. Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Mark Gunzinger, a former B-52 pilot and director of future concepts and capability assessments at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, said a small number of B-52s could deliver more weapons against maritime targets over longer ranges than Navy carrier-based aircraft could in a day. Operating from airbases farther from contested areas could also reduce the need to expose aircraft carriers to hostile threats.   B-2 Has Already Employed LRASM In June 2026, a B-2A Spirit stealth bomber used an LRASM against the decommissioned Austin-class amphibious transport ship USS Juneau (LPD-10) during Exercise Valiant Shield in the Philippine Sea, north of the Mariana Islands. The event marked the first public acknowledgment by the U.S. military of the B-2’s use of the missile. The development follows earlier LRASM milestones. DARPA and the U.S. Navy launched the programme in 2009. In 2012, DARPA cancelled the supersonic LRASM-B concept and focused on the subsonic LRASM-A, based on the JASSM-ER. Lockheed Martin conducted the first successful air-launch flight test from a B-1B in 2013, and the Pentagon designated the weapon AGM-158C in 2015. Low-rate production began under a 2017 contract. The Air Force achieved Early Operational Capability on the B-1B in 2018, followed by the Navy on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in 2019. The Navy completed four-missile salvo testing and began F-35C flight testing in 2024, with initial testing expanding to the F-35B in 2025.   Missile Production and New JASSM-FLEX Concept Pentagon acquisition reports published in July 2026 stated that Lockheed Martin had delivered 5,348 JASSMs to the Navy and Air Force as of April. Production capacity was approximately 600 missiles annually, with plans to increase it to 860 per year. Lockheed Martin plans to invest $8 million to $9 million through 2030 to expand production, while the Air Force allocated $200 million in fiscal year 2025 to develop a second-source engine for LRASM and JASSM-ER. A Center for a New American Security report estimated that the Air Force used approximately one-quarter of its JASSM inventory during Operation Epic Fury, highlighting the need to replenish stocks. In September 2026, Lockheed Martin unveiled the AGM-158 JASSM-FLEX concept at the Air, Space & Cyber conference. Its modular design features interchangeable nose sections and boat tails, allowing payloads, sensors and launch configurations to be changed for different missions, including land attack and anti-ship operations. Lockheed Martin spokesperson Scott Swofford declined to provide specific details about the B-52 integration and referred questions to the Pentagon. He described LRASM as a precise, stealthy and survivable cruise missile offering flexible capabilities for offensive anti-surface warfare. The October 7 notice outlines the planned integration rather than confirming that the work has been completed. If the effort proceeds, it will expand the U.S. bomber fleet’s options for long-range maritime strikes and build on the B-52H’s existing compatibility with JASSM-family weapons.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-09 16:17:26

 U.S 

WASHINGTON,  — The U.S. Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia valued at an estimated $300 million for Tomahawk cruise missile mission-planning systems, communications equipment and related support services. According to the State Department notification issued on October 8, the proposed package includes Theater Mission Planning Centers (TMPCs), the TMPC Mission Planning System (MPS), communications systems, program management, engineering, training, logistics and other related support services. The approval does not confirm that a final contract has been signed or that any equipment has been delivered.   Supporting Australia's Tomahawk Programme The package supports Australia's programme to acquire more than 200 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles for the Royal Australian Navy, comprising Block IV and modernised Block V variants. The missiles have a reported range exceeding 2,000 kilometres, with some official Australian statements citing up to 2,500 kilometres under certain conditions, depending on the variant and mission profile. The mission-planning systems will support the preparation and coordination of missile operations, while communications equipment and technical services will help integrate the capability into Australia's military command structures. The latest proposal focuses on operational planning and support infrastructure rather than additional missiles. In December 2024, the Hobart-class destroyer HMAS Brisbane successfully test-fired a Tomahawk missile during a trial off California's coast, making Australia the third country, after the United States and the United Kingdom, to fire the missile. The missiles are planned for Hobart-class destroyers and future Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines. Their possible integration onto Hunter-class frigates remains subject to further assessment and is not confirmed.   Contractors and Strategic Objectives The State Department identified four principal contractors for the proposed sale: BAE Systems in San Diego, California; Tapestry Solutions in St. Louis, Missouri; Peraton in San Jose, California; and Leidos in Virginia Beach, Virginia. No offset agreement has been identified. Any such arrangements would be negotiated directly between Australia and the contractors. Implementation would not require additional U.S. government or contractor personnel to be assigned to Australia. The State Department said the sale supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives. It is expected to strengthen Australia's ability to address current and future threats, deter regional threats, enhance homeland defence and improve interoperability with U.S. maritime forces and other allied militaries. The department assessed that Australia could integrate the systems and services into its armed forces without difficulty. The notification also stated that the proposed sale would not alter the basic military balance in the region or adversely affect U.S. defence readiness.   Previous Approvals The latest proposal follows a March 2023 approval for a possible sale of up to 200 Tomahawk Block V and up to 20 Block IV missiles, with associated equipment and support, valued at an estimated $895 million. In January 2024, the United States also notified a possible $250 million sale of general Tomahawk weapons system support services. The proposed $300 million package would add mission-planning, communications and sustainment infrastructure to support Australia's wider Tomahawk acquisition programme.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-09 14:39:51

 U.S 

WASHINGTON, — The U.S. Navy has awarded five agreements worth a combined $743.6 million for prototype development of the Nuclear-Armed Sea-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM-N). Signed on September 23 and announced on October 6, the agreements cover missile development, flight systems integration and launch canisters, with work scheduled through December 31, 2027. Leidos subsidiary Dynetics, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman will lead missile development and systems integration, while Northrop Grumman Mission Systems and Pacific Engineering will develop launch canisters. The awards were issued through Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements under the Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S2MARTS) initiative, managed by the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL). The agreements support prototyping rather than production missile purchases.   Earlier Contracts and Development Work The latest awards build on prototype agreements issued in August 2025 to Leidos, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Florida Turbine Technologies for initial missile and technology development. Separate launcher and canister agreements worth approximately $26.24 million followed in September 2025. Other related contracts include a $194.1 million award to General Dynamics Mission Systems in September 2026 for fire-control subsystem engineering through September 2028; a $47.4 million award to JRC Integrated Systems for integration, modelling, simulation and flight-test engineering extending into 2030; and a $94.6 million contract to BAE Systems for engineering, technical and programme support through September 2028.   Return of a Sea-Launched Nuclear Capability The SLCM-N programme aims to restore a capability previously provided by the nuclear-armed Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM-N). The United States began deploying TLAM-N missiles aboard surface ships and submarines in the mid-1980s. They were removed from surface ships in the early 1990s, and the remaining inventory was fully retired in 2013. The Trump administration's 2018 Nuclear Posture Review revived the concept to strengthen regional deterrence and provide the United States and its allies with an additional response option. The Biden administration later proposed cancelling the programme, but Congress maintained funding and directed the Navy to continue development.   Funding, Deadlines and Planned Platforms According to the Congressional Research Service, fiscal year 2025 budget legislation allocated $2 billion to accelerate missile development and $400 million for the associated nuclear warhead. Fiscal year 2026 legislation authorised further funding for the missile and warhead. Fiscal year 2024 defence legislation set September 30, 2034, as the deadline for initial operational capability. Fiscal year 2026 legislation requires a limited number of weapons to be available for limited operational deployment by September 2032. These are statutory deadlines, not guarantees that development will be completed on schedule. The programme achieved Milestone A in December 2025 and is in the technology maturation and risk reduction phase. Planned milestones include the start of system development around September 2028 and a low-rate production decision in September 2031, followed by further testing and production decisions. The missile is intended primarily for Virginia-class attack submarines equipped with the Virginia Payload Module and Virginia Payload Tubes. Potential integration with future surface ships has also been referenced in programme planning. The SLCM-N is expected to use a variant of the W80 nuclear warhead family. The programme remains in development and prototyping, with the latest agreements supporting work on the missile, its flight systems and launch equipment ahead of planned testing, production and deployment milestones.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-09 14:35:34

 U.S 

ARLINGTON, Va., — Raytheon, a business of RTX , has received a multi-year contract worth up to $6.3 billion from the U.S. Department of War and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to produce and sustain Standard Missile-3 Block IB (SM-3 IB) interceptors. The agreement has a five-year base period valued at approximately $4.4 billion, with two additional option years that could increase its total value to $6.3 billion. Issued as an undefinitized contract action, it allows Raytheon to begin work while the remaining contractual details are finalized. Production will take place primarily at facilities in Tucson, Arizona, and Huntsville, Alabama, with work expected to continue through October 2034. The exact number of interceptors covered by the contract has not been disclosed.   Contract to Replenish Missile Defense Inventories The award is part of framework agreements Raytheon signed with the Department of War in February 2026 to expand production capacity and accelerate deliveries of critical munitions, including the SM-3 family, SM-6, Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and Tomahawk variants. The agreement aims to replenish missile defense inventories reduced through combat use. The SM-3 interceptor family saw its first combat use in 2024, when U.S. Navy ships engaged ballistic missile threats during Iranian attacks on Israel. Raytheon President Phil Jasper said the contract demonstrates the company's commitment to increasing production of critical munitions. He added that the SM-3 Block IB's combat experience highlights its continued relevance and that the agreement will help the U.S. Navy, the MDA and partner nations maintain their defensive capabilities against evolving threats. Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael P. Duffey said the contract provides production certainty for the defence industrial base, helps address manufacturing bottlenecks among lower-tier suppliers and supports interceptor availability for fleets and combatant commands operating across air, sea and land domains.   SM-3 Block IB Capabilities The SM-3 Block IB is a ship- and land-based interceptor designed to destroy short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles during the midcourse phase of flight, outside Earth's atmosphere. It uses hit-to-kill technology, destroying targets through direct collision rather than an explosive warhead. The interceptor features a two-colour infrared seeker and a throttleable divert and attitude control system to support target discrimination and manoeuvrability. It can be launched from Aegis-equipped U.S. Navy ships using the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System and from land-based Aegis Ashore installations. The SM-3 Block IB operates alongside the more advanced SM-3 Block IIA and other members of the Standard Missile family as part of the United States' layered ballistic missile defence network.   RTX Expands Missile Production RTX has been investing in additional manufacturing capacity and faster production across the Standard Missile family. The latest award follows other multi-year agreements, including a major SM-6 production contract and earlier framework arrangements covering AMRAAM and Tomahawk variants. The SM-3 Block IB production line had previously slowed, with a contract modification earlier in 2026 adding 23 interceptors to an existing order. The new agreement establishes a longer-term production framework, although the annual delivery schedule and total interceptor quantity remain undisclosed. The contract is intended to help restore and maintain U.S. and allied inventories of a combat-proven ballistic missile defence capability.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-09 14:23:05

 U.S 

MANILA,  — Lockheed Martin has signed a Direct Commercial Sale contract with the Philippine Department of National Defense to supply advanced training systems for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and its growing fleet of Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters. Announced on October 8, 2026, in Orlando, Florida, the agreement includes a Full Flight Simulator, a Virtual Maintenance Trainer, training course materials, and sustainment and spare parts support through 2032. The contract marks the first direct commercial order for Lockheed Martin’s S-70i Black Hawk training devices. The Full Flight Simulator uses digital twin technology to replicate the aircraft’s cockpit environment, flight characteristics and operating systems. It will allow pilots to practise routine operations and emergency procedures in a simulated environment without using operational helicopters. The Virtual Maintenance Trainer uses physics-based models of aircraft subsystems, including avionics and hydraulics, allowing maintenance personnel to practise troubleshooting and repair procedures without taking helicopters out of service for training.   Building Domestic Training Capabilities The Philippine Air Force will continue training pilots at the U.S.-based Sikorsky Training Academy until the new systems are installed and domestic training capabilities are established. The PAF already operates a full-motion simulator with interchangeable cockpits for the S-70i Black Hawk and Bell 412EP helicopters. Supplied by Romania-based Simultec, it was inaugurated in Cebu in December 2025. The new Lockheed Martin systems will expand the country's existing training infrastructure. Lockheed Martin said its training systems use digital twins and a digital thread linked to the helicopter’s operational flight programme. This approach can allow simulator software updates to be developed in days rather than years, helping keep training systems aligned with future aircraft upgrades.   Supporting a Fleet of Approximately 47 Helicopters The agreement follows the Philippine Air Force’s completion of deliveries under its second Black Hawk procurement contract. In August 2026, the PAF received its final batch at Villamor Air Base, completing deliveries of 32 additional S-70i helicopters under the agreement. Following two major procurement contracts, the Philippines operates approximately 47 S-70i Black Hawks, making it the world's largest operator of this variant. The helicopters are manufactured by PZL Mielec in Poland, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary. The PAF uses its Black Hawks for search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, aerial firefighting and troop transport across the Philippine archipelago, which is frequently affected by severe weather and natural disasters. The expanding fleet increases the need for qualified pilots, maintenance personnel and reliable spare parts support. Tim James, vice president of Air and Commercial Solutions at Lockheed Martin, said the contract was a long-term investment in the Philippine Air Force’s mission readiness and would support its growing S-70i fleet through training and sustainment solutions. William Blair, vice president and regional chief executive for Asia and India at Lockheed Martin, said the systems would help keep crews and maintenance personnel mission-ready while supporting the Philippines’ broader military modernization programme. The contract value and exact delivery schedule for the training systems have not been disclosed.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-09 13:15:56

 U.S 

EAST CAMDEN, Arkansas, — The first Tamir interceptors fully manufactured and assembled in the United States for Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system have been delivered at the Raytheon-Rafael Protection Systems (R2S) facility in East Camden, Arkansas. The missiles were handed over to Israel’s Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), part of the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development. The delivery marks the first time complete Tamir interceptors have been manufactured outside Israel. Previously, American companies supplied components, while final assembly took place in Israel.   US-Israel Defence Partnership The delivery ceremony was attended by Israeli Defense Attaché Maj. Gen. Tal Politis, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Senator Tom Cotton, IMDO Director Moshe Patel, Rafael Executive Vice President Shlomo Toaff, R2S CEO Jonathan Casey, US Missile Defense Agency Deputy Director Maj. Gen. Jason D. Cothern, Israeli Consul General Adi Farjon, and other defence officials and industry representatives. The ceremony coincided with the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel. Cotton remembered the more than 1,000 Israelis, Americans and citizens of other countries killed or kidnapped during the attacks and highlighted the project's security and economic benefits. “Iron Dome is not just a military tool or a defense system. It is a symbol of the security of our nation and our people,” Politis said, adding that the Israeli-American alliance strengthens the system. Sanders, who attended the facility's groundbreaking in 2024 and its opening in November 2025, welcomed the first Arkansas-produced interceptors and praised the partnership between the state, Camden community and R2S.   $63 Million Facility Expands Production R2S is a joint venture between Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX. Rafael developed Iron Dome with Israel's Ministry of Defense, while Raytheon has collaborated with Rafael for more than a decade on interceptor production under US workshare requirements linked to American funding. The $63 million facility is expected to create up to 60 jobs. Announced in 2023 following discussions at the Paris Air Show, the project initially involved approximately $33 million and 30 jobs. Construction began in February 2024 at Highland Industrial Park in East Camden, using existing RTX production capacity in the area. When the plant opened in November 2025, R2S received a $1.25 billion contract to supply Israel with Tamir missiles, kits and testing equipment. R2S CEO Jonathan Casey said the delivery marks the start of US production for the Iron Dome Weapon System, strengthening the American industrial base and providing the United States and its allies with an additional reliable source of interceptors.   SkyHunter Production for US Marine Corps The Arkansas facility will also manufacture SkyHunter, the US variant of the Tamir interceptor, for the US Marine Corps' Medium-Range Intercept Capability (MRIC) air defence system. The Marine Corps has been testing and fielding Iron Dome-based technology to improve protection against rockets, cruise missiles, aircraft and drones. Rafael executive Shlomo Toaff said the facility provides another reliable source of Tamir interceptors while supporting the Marine Corps' SkyHunter programme.   Tamir Interceptor Capabilities The Tamir interceptor is designed to counter short-range rockets and other aerial threats at ranges of approximately 4 to 70 kilometres. Iron Dome entered operational service in 2011 and has recorded more than 10,000 successful interceptions. The system has helped protect Israeli civilians and approximately 250,000 Americans living in Israel from rocket and missile attacks, according to the information provided. IMDO Director Moshe Patel said Iron Dome and Israel's wider multi-layered missile defence system have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to save lives and reduce damage. He added that the new production line strengthens joint manufacturing capabilities as both countries seek to accelerate missile defence production. R2S plans to increase production at Camden to meet demand from the United States, Israel and allied countries. The facility will provide Israel with an additional source of Tamir interceptors while supporting US defence requirements and broader bilateral missile defence cooperation, which also includes work on David's Sling and Arrow.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-09 13:07:09

 U.S 

SAN DIEGO — U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group at sea on October 7, one day before the carrier’s scheduled return to San Diego, and presented the crew with the Presidential Unit Citation for its combat operations during a record-setting deployment. The carrier left San Diego on November 21, 2025, for an initially planned Indo-Pacific mission but was later redirected to the Middle East. The deployment lasted 321 days, including 264 consecutive days at sea without a port call, exceeding the previous Navy record of 206 days set by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in 2020. The citation covers operations from February 28 through August 22, 2026, including Operation Epic Fury and the later maritime blockade of Iranian ports in and around the Strait of Hormuz. According to figures provided by Hegseth, the strike group, built around the carrier, Carrier Air Wing 9 and accompanying ships including the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., conducted 3,693 combat sorties, delivered 1.37 million pounds (about 621 metric tons) of ordnance, and launched 450 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles. The group also destroyed 77 one-way attack drones and 21 anti-ship cruise missiles, sank 64 Iranian warships, and repelled attacks by four fast-attack craft and explosive-carrying wooden sailing vessels. Hegseth said the group completed its combat sorties without a single aircraft mishap. He also said the group carried out 40 consecutive days of combat operations beginning February 28 before supporting the blockade. Hegseth said President Donald Trump had followed the group’s activities and wanted the crew personally thanked. The prolonged deployment also raised concerns about crew well-being. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said medical and mental-health professionals were available to support sailors during the extended deployment. The USS Abraham Lincoln is scheduled to arrive in San Diego on October 8, while some Carrier Air Wing 9 elements and the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. had already returned. The Lincoln strike group is among at least five U.S. military units, including the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, to receive the Presidential Unit Citation in 2026. The U.S. continues to maintain a major naval presence in the Middle East, with the USS George Washington and USS George H.W. Bush assigned to the region. Military officials have also indicated that the USS Theodore Roosevelt could join them by the end of October.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-08 15:55:05

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy and defense technology company Shield AI have committed a combined $400 million to accelerate development of the X-BAT, an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) fighter aircraft. The investment is aimed at moving the aircraft toward its first flight tests later this year.   $400 Million Combined Investment The Navy has approved a $150 million modification to an existing Other Transaction agreement with Shield AI. The funding comes through the Defense Exportability Features program under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. Shield AI is matching the Navy's investment with $150 million in private capital. The latest funding follows a separate $50 million Navy and Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) investment announced in August under the Runway Independent Maritime Expeditionary Strike (RIMES) initiative. Shield AI also matched that investment with another $50 million. Together, the two government investments total $200 million, matched by $200 million from Shield AI.   X-BAT Aircraft The X-BAT is being developed as a standalone autonomous fighter rather than a conventional “loyal wingman” drone. The aircraft is 26 feet long and has a 39-foot wingspan. Shield AI says three X-BAT aircraft can fit into the deck space required for one legacy fighter, allowing the aircraft to use deck space more efficiently. The aircraft is powered by a GE Aerospace F110-GE-129 engine equipped with a thrust-vectoring nozzle for VTOL operations. Shield AI lists an estimated combat radius of 1,000 nautical miles, a maximum range of more than 2,000 nautical miles and a service ceiling above 50,000 feet. The X-BAT has internal weapons bays for air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons, along with external hardpoints for larger strike weapons.   Autonomous Operations The aircraft uses Shield AI's Hivemind software as its AI pilot. The system is designed to allow X-BAT to conduct tactical missions in environments where GPS and satellite communications are denied or jammed. Its VTOL configuration removes the need for conventional runways. The aircraft is designed to operate from aircraft carriers, smaller ships, remote islands and austere forward land bases.   Development and Testing About 500 engineers from Shield AI and key suppliers, including GE Aerospace, are working on the flight-test aircraft. The program has completed several major development milestones, including engine light-off and thrust-vectoring nozzle integration. The team has also validated the aerodynamics of the internal weapons bays through low- and high-speed wind-tunnel testing. Shield AI plans to begin flight testing later in 2026 while continuing work on the aircraft, mission systems, ship suitability and production in parallel.   Flight Test and Production Sites Newton City-County Airport in Kansas has been selected for flight testing, acceptance and long-term sustainment. Prototyping is continuing in Texas, while production is planned for a facility in Des Moines, Washington. Manufacturing is targeted to begin in 2029, with full-rate production planned for the early 2030s. J.J. “Yank” Cummings, Shield AI's head of mission solutions for the U.S. Navy and a former commanding officer of USS Gerald R. Ford, said the X-BAT is being developed to enhance the lethality, survivability and combat power of U.S. Naval Aviation while integrating with existing carrier air wing operations. The latest funding brings the announced government and Shield AI commitments to the X-BAT program to $400 million, supporting its transition toward flight testing and future production.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-08 15:08:18

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — Bell Boeing and the V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275) are expanding a global supply-chain initiative aimed at keeping the V-22 Osprey fleet operational beyond 2055.   Expanding the V-22 Supply Chain The effort was a major focus of a recent Team Osprey Working Group, which brought together 200 defense experts from six allied nations and seven U.S. government agencies. More than 35 defense, engineering and manufacturing suppliers are involved in the initiative. Its priorities include addressing material shortages, improving component reliability, increasing parts availability and carrying out technical modernization. The group also welcomed 14 first-time industry participants, expanding the industrial base supporting V-22 sustainment. Col. Robert Hurst, PMA-275 program manager, said that better coordination across the global supply chain and the integration of technical improvements can increase material availability on the flight line. He also highlighted the importance of component reliability for maintaining expeditionary lift and logistical flexibility in high-threat environments.   Supporting Multiple Military Missions The effort supports the three main V-22 variants operated by U.S. forces. The U.S. Marine Corps' MV-22 provides tactical medium-lift capability, including troop transport and assault support. The Navy's CMV-22 performs Carrier Onboard Delivery missions, moving supplies, passengers and high-value cargo to deployed carrier strike groups. The CV-22, operated by U.S. special operations forces, supports long-range infiltration, exfiltration and specialized resupply missions.   Long-Term Fleet Sustainment The initiative comes as V-22 production moves toward completion. The Marine Corps received its 359th and final planned MV-22B on July 28, 2026. Production of the remaining Navy CMV-22B aircraft is expected to continue into 2027 or early 2028. The Marine Corps plans to operate its MV-22B fleet through 2055. Japan is the V-22's only international customer and operates 17 Ospreys. Recent contracts are also supporting the fleet's long-term sustainment. In September 2026, the Pentagon awarded Bell Boeing about $29.67 million to maintain loads-and-dynamics modeling data for V-22 variants through March 2030. The data supports structural analysis, repairs, mishap investigations and airworthiness activities. A separate contract was awarded to Raytheon for software support.   Modernization and Reliability V-22 modernization work includes improvements to nacelles, wiring and structural components, as well as proprotor gearboxes made with triple-melted steel. The program is also working on aircraft configuration standardization, component redesign and cockpit technology upgrades to address avionics obsolescence. According to the Department of War, continued coordination between the government, military operators and industry is intended to preserve the V-22's operational capabilities for several more decades. The initiative combines immediate supply-chain requirements with long-term reliability and modernization efforts to support the Osprey fleet beyond 2055.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-08 15:03:09

 U.S 

Jacksonville, Fla. — TOTE Services has signed a contract with the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to serve as vessel construction manager for the Missile Range Instrumentation Vessel (MRIV) program. Immediately after the award, TOTE Services awarded a shipbuilding subcontract to Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia to build the first vessel, with delivery scheduled for 2030. The MRIV is a new class of ships that will support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) by tracking missile flights and intercept tests at sea, collecting test data and supporting range safety operations over the Pacific Ocean. The first ship, named Golden Defender by White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought when the program was announced in July 2026, will support the Golden Dome for America missile defense initiative. The current subcontract covers one firm ship, with options for two additional vessels. TOTE Services and Hanwha Philly Shipyard have not disclosed the value of the finalized agreements. When the broader program was announced in July, Defense News reported that construction of two MRIVs was valued at about $2 billion, with the first ship targeted for delivery by June 2030. The MRIVs will replace the Pacific Tracker and Pacific Collector, two MARAD ships built in 1965 and 1970 that currently conduct missile-range instrumentation missions for the MDA. TOTE Services already manages and operates both vessels.   MRIV Based on NSMV Design The new ship will use the same hull as the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV), a class of training ships that Hanwha Philly Shipyard is building for MARAD’s state maritime academies under TOTE Services’ management. According to TOTE, the MRIV shares about 70 percent of its overall design with the NSMV. The shipyard will use its existing production line, supply chain and trained workforce for the MRIV program. The vessels are approximately 160 meters, or about 525 feet, long.   TOTE's Construction Management Model Under the Vessel Construction Manager model, TOTE Services coordinates the shipyard, suppliers and government customers instead of the government directly managing the shipbuilding process. TOTE said it finalized the MRIV's design, contract terms and firm fixed pricing in less than three months, compared with a process that can take a year or more under traditional government shipbuilding. The company also said its model can reduce acquisition costs by at least 50 percent through early requirement setting and faster approval of changes. “Signing the Missile Range Instrumentation Vessel contract and executing the shipyard subcontract brings us closer to delivering the next generation of U.S. defense capability,” said Jeff Dixon, president of TOTE Services. “Our proven Vessel Construction Management model means we’re hitting the milestones sooner and making meaningful progress faster.” The MRIV program is a joint effort involving the Department of Transportation, Department of War and Missile Defense Agency, carried out through TOTE Services' existing construction management contract with MARAD.   Hanwha Philly Shipyard Expands Defense Work Hanwha Philly Shipyard, acquired by South Korea's Hanwha Group in 2024, now employs more than 2,000 production workers, according to TOTE. The yard's workforce had previously fallen to only a few dozen workers, but expanded through the NSMV training ship program and new defense contracts. Hanwha Philly Shipyard CEO David Kim said the company is proud to apply its shipbuilding capabilities to a program supporting U.S. national security. TOTE Services is also the construction manager for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Landing Ship Medium program, under a contract announced in July worth up to $2.2 billion. Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick said the partnership between Hanwha Philly Shipyard and TOTE Services will strengthen military readiness, expand U.S. shipbuilding capacity and reinforce Pennsylvania's role in national security. The first MRIV, Golden Defender, is expected to be delivered to MARAD in 2030, after which MARAD will operate the vessel for the Missile Defense Agency.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-08 14:09:43

 U.S 

Centerville, Utah — The U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) plans to award a sole-source contract to Rocky Mountain Unmanned Systems (RMUS) of Centerville, Utah, to develop a four-legged robot prototype capable of autonomously navigating hazardous environments and creating real-time 3D maps of dangerous gases.   Prototype to Combine Four Systems According to a contract notice posted on October 7, DTRA intends to issue a firm-fixed-price contract to RMUS for a single prototype. The notice does not specify the contract value or delivery date. Under the planned project, DTRA will provide a multi-gas chemical detector. RMUS will provide a commercial quadruped robot, survey-grade 3D lidar sensor and tactical mesh networking radio. The main task will be software integration. RMUS will combine data from the four systems to produce a live “hazardous atmosphere map” showing operators the locations of dangerous gases within the area scanned by the robot. DTRA has not identified the specific quadruped platform or chemical detector.   DTRA Cites Existing Software Capability DTRA's market research identified RMUS as the only company that already has the proprietary software framework and demonstrated experience required to combine these specific data streams into a functional 3D map. The agency said the hardware components are commercially available, but no other company had demonstrated the required pre-existing software capability. DTRA also stated that the government does not own a technical data package that would allow the work to be opened to competitive bidding. Although the planned award is sole-source, other companies can submit capability statements, proposals or quotes by noon MDT on October 22. Any submission must provide clear evidence that the company already possesses the required data-fusion software. The requirement is being managed by DTRA's Western Contracting Office at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, and is classified as applied research and development.   RMUS Background Founded in 2014, RMUS specializes in drones, public-safety quadruped robots and gas-imaging technology for government and commercial customers. The company has also served as an implementation partner for Boston Dynamics Spot robots at Los Alamos National Laboratory and offers integrated systems based on the Spot platform.   Earlier U.S. Military Robot-Dog Testing The planned DTRA prototype follows earlier U.S. military work involving quadruped robots for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) detection. In 2024, the U.S. Space Force identified its CBRN detection robot, nicknamed “CHAPPIE,” as one of only two quadruped ground robots in the Department of Defense dedicated to that mission. The U.S. Air Force has also tested CBRN detector-equipped robot dogs at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. The DTRA project specifically focuses on integrating chemical detection, 3D lidar and networking data to create a real-time 3D hazardous-atmosphere map for operators. Main Source : Defence-blog

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-08 12:35:25

 U.S 

LOS ANGELES, — Defense technology startup Furientis has secured its first funded government contract and raised $25 million in seed funding to accelerate development of a new interceptor system.   100-Mile Interceptor Contract Furientis received a prototyping Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) from the Department of War to develop and demonstrate a 100-mile-range interceptor vehicle intended for homeland defense. Under the agreement, the company will demonstrate the vehicle's performance against Department requirements. The contract value was not disclosed, while Furientis said the prototyping effort will run for roughly six months.   $25 Million Seed Funding At the same time, Furientis closed a $25 million seed round led by Benchmark Capital. Benchmark General Partner Chetan Puttagunta is joining the company's board. The round follows Furientis' $5 million pre-seed announced in May 2026. According to a person familiar with the financing, the seed round valued the company at about $125 million. The investment is Benchmark's first pure defense investment.   Focus on High-Rate Production Furientis was founded in May 2025 by Brody Franzen, co-founder and CEO, and Aris Simsarian, co-founder and head of propulsion. Franzen previously served as deputy chief engineer at Virgin Galactic and later worked at Castelion. Simsarian previously led rocket engine testing at Virgin Orbit and has experience building solid rocket motors. Based in the Los Angeles area, Furientis is developing defensive munitions designed for high-volume, low-cost production. Its manufacturing targets include producing 1,000 vehicles per factory per year and completing final assembly of each vehicle in less than one hour. The company uses commercial off-the-shelf components where they meet requirements and manufactures solid rocket motors and seekers in-house.   Testing and Manufacturing Furientis said it has conducted 21 vehicle tests over roughly 10 months, including 13 flight tests and eight static fires. The company follows a biweekly prototype testing schedule and has an operational first propellant manufacturing facility supporting solid rocket motor production and testing. Its test activities include launches at White Sands, New Mexico. Furientis CEO Brody Franzen said the company was established to address a shortage of defensive munitions and described the challenge as fundamentally a production and manufacturing problem. Benchmark General Partner Chetan Puttagunta said Furientis is developing technology designed to scale rapidly while keeping costs low, while highlighting the capabilities of its propulsion, hardware and software engineering team.   U.S. Defense Programs Furientis has also been selected as a finalist in the U.S. Army's xTech|Apex Intercept competition, which focuses on low-cost interceptors that could operate alongside Patriot systems. The company previously advanced as one of five finalists in a tactical missile challenge conducted by the Naval Postgraduate School and Office of Naval Research. The new funding and government contract will support expanded manufacturing and testing capabilities, hiring and continued interceptor development. Furientis is currently hiring across engineering and other disciplines.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-07 15:41:02

 U.S 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) will display a version of the Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) Increment 4 system mounted on a Ford Ranger pickup truck at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) annual meeting and exposition in Washington, D.C., from October 12 to 14, 2026. The display represents a lighter and more modular approach than the Stryker-based M-SHORAD Increment 1, known as SGT Stout. General Dynamics has not disclosed the specific weapons or sensors fitted to the Ranger and has not stated whether the displayed configuration has been formally submitted for the Army's Increment 4 program.   Modular SLED System The system is based on the Self-Loading Equipment Dock (SLED), a self-contained pallet designed to be loaded onto different vehicles. GDLS describes SLED as a platform-agnostic system available in light, medium and heavy configurations. The pallet carries weapons and sensors on remote weapon stations, allowing crews to operate them from inside the vehicle or remotely. A March 2026 Army request for information requires the SLED to remain operational after being removed from its host vehicle, while the host vehicle must immediately return to normal use after the pallet is unloaded. M-SHORAD Increment 4 is intended to provide defensive fires for the Army's Mobile Brigade Combat Team and counter Group 1-3 unmanned aircraft systems, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters supporting enemy ground forces. It is designed for both vehicle-mounted and dismounted operations and to use a modular open systems architecture integrating multiple kinetic and non-kinetic effectors and sensors. The system can also operate independently or connect with Army command-and-control networks.   Army's Increment 4 Requirements In May 2024, the Army issued a request for information for an air-defense capability for dismounted troops. Requirements included transportation by C-130 aircraft, parachute-drop capability and the ability to be sling-loaded under a helicopter. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George approved the Increment 4 capabilities development document in October 2025. At AUSA 2025, Col. Marc Pelini, then the Army's air and missile defense requirements officer, said the sled concept was intended to move away from a fully integrated air-defense vehicle. The pallet could be placed on an Infantry Squad Vehicle, Humvee, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle or civilian-style pickup truck.   Funding and Development The Army plans to achieve initial operational capability by late fiscal year 2029. According to the Congressional Research Service, the service requested $108.1 million in fiscal year 2027 research, development, test and evaluation funding for Increment 4 supporting Joint Forcible Entry and Mobile Brigade Combat Team forces. Total M-SHORAD research and development funding requested for FY2027 is $460.9 million. GDLS is the prime contractor and integrator for M-SHORAD Increment 1, which uses a Stryker chassis with Stinger missiles, Hellfire missiles and a 30 mm cannon. Increment 2, which was planned to use a laser-equipped Stryker, was canceled. Increment 3 is planned as an upgrade to the Stryker-based system, adding the Next Generation Short Range Interceptor and XM1223 30 mm cannon. The Ford Ranger-based M-SHORAD Increment 4 concept will be displayed at GDLS booth 703 at AUSA 2026, alongside other systems including the Wolf XM30 infantry fighting vehicle model and an upgraded PERCH loitering munition kit.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-07 14:43:51

 U.S 

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. — U.S. Special Operations Command North (SOCNORTH) has brought its special operations activities in Greenland under a unified framework called Operation Apex Indigo. Conducted with the Kingdom of Denmark and the Government of Greenland, the operation focuses on cold-weather survival, mobility across remote terrain and joint operations with NATO Arctic allies. The first mission under Operation Apex Indigo was conducted in August 2026, following several years of U.S. special operations training in Greenland. The new framework will provide a structure for recurring bilateral and multinational exercises in the Arctic.   Earlier Arctic Training SOCNORTH's activities in Greenland developed through a series of exercises, including Arctic Edge 23, Arctic Edge 24 and Arctic Edge 26. Arctic Edge 24 involved Danish, Norwegian and British forces, while Arctic Edge 26 continued joint Arctic training before the launch of Operation Apex Indigo. “Our relationship with the Kingdom of Denmark is both enduring and essential to Arctic security,” said U.S. Army Col. Matthew Tucker, SOCNORTH commander. “Operation Apex Indigo strengthens our ability to work alongside Danish and Greenlandic partners, improve readiness in one of the world’s most demanding environments, and support collective deterrence across the Arctic.”   August Mission in Greenland During the first Apex Indigo mission, Green Berets from the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) trained with Danish Special Operations Forces from the SIRIUS unit around Camp Raven on the Greenland ice sheet. The training included skiing across the ice, basic survival training, search and rescue, a simulated medical evacuation and communications activities. The teams also practiced high-frequency radio operations from peaks near Kangerlussuaq. The training was designed to improve the ability of small teams to move, communicate and operate in remote Arctic conditions.   LC-130H Aircraft Support The operation was supported by LC-130H “Skibird” aircraft operated by the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing. The ski-equipped aircraft can land on snow and ice, allowing personnel and equipment to be transported to and recovered from remote areas without conventional runways.   Focus on Arctic Interoperability SOCNORTH relies on small, specialized teams trained for austere polar environments. Their work with Danish and Greenlandic partners focuses on operational readiness, mobility and interoperability. “Operating in Greenland alongside our Danish and Greenlandic partners demands more than simply enduring the environment,” Tucker said. “It requires specialized skills, disciplined preparation, and the interoperability needed to operate effectively in austere Arctic conditions.” A Green Beret detachment commander from the 10th Special Forces Group also highlighted the Arctic experience of Danish Special Operations Forces, saying it is important to combined training and interoperability.   Low-Impact Operations SOCNORTH is also taking into account Greenland's sensitive environment and remote civilian communities. The command says its operations favor small teams with a deliberate, low-impact footprint. “Greenland’s vast distances and demanding conditions favor small, specialized teams that can operate with a deliberate, low-impact footprint,” Tucker said. SOCNORTH coordinates with its partners to limit disruption to local communities and the environment while maintaining operational readiness.   Recurring Training Under Apex Indigo Operation Apex Indigo will provide a permanent framework for recurring bilateral and multinational training with Danish, Greenlandic and other NATO Arctic partners. The effort is intended to improve readiness, mobility, interoperability and collective deterrence while helping special operations teams operate effectively in extreme Arctic conditions. The official announcement of the new framework was released by U.S. Northern Command on October 2, 2026.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-07 14:16:19

 U.S 

BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. — President Donald J. Trump announced Arsenal-2, a new software-defined shipyard that Anduril Industries will build at Tradepoint Atlantic in Baltimore County, Maryland, as part of a $6.6 billion public-private investment to expand the U.S. submarine industrial base. Anduril will invest $3.7 billion in private capital, while the U.S. Navy has awarded the company a contract worth up to $2.9 billion. Payments under the contract are tied to demonstrated production results, with the arrangement designed to place execution risk primarily on the company. Arsenal-2 will manufacture critical components and large-scale assemblies for the Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarines. The submarines are currently built by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding. Components produced at Arsenal-2 will be transported to those shipyards for final integration, adding manufacturing capacity to support U.S. fleet requirements and AUKUS commitments.   187-Acre Facility at Sparrows Point The facility will be built on a 187-acre site within the historic Sparrows Point complex and will cover more than 2 million square feet, roughly the size of 40 football fields. It will include a 1,200-foot graving dock, high-bay assembly halls, fabrication and testing areas, and road, rail and maritime access. Its layout is designed to reduce the distance between fabrication, assembly, testing and integration areas. Production will be managed through Anduril’s ArsenalOS industrial software platform, which will connect workflows, outfitting sequences, material movement and inspection processes while providing digital work instructions, real-time visibility and embedded quality controls. The Sparrows Point site also has a long maritime history. Baltimore shipyards produced the first Liberty Ship during World War II, while Sparrows Point was previously known as the “Patriarch of U.S. Tanker Builders.”   Jobs and Production Timeline Arsenal-2 is expected to create 3,100 direct, permanent jobs and support more than 11,000 indirect jobs. The facility is projected to generate $2 billion in annual economic output, including an estimated $312 million in annual wages. Permitting and site preparation are beginning immediately, with construction starting after final approvals. Initial operations are targeted for 2030, followed by a gradual production increase as the workforce and infrastructure expand.   California Facility to Prepare Production Anduril is also establishing a 160,000-square-foot facility in Orange County, California. It will provide a two-year operational head start to validate manufacturing methods, train workers and begin SUBSAFE-qualified production of maritime components, including torpedo tubes. The California facility will continue supporting broader maritime manufacturing after Arsenal-2 becomes operational. The phased approach follows the strategy used for Arsenal-1 in Ohio. Arsenal-2 will ultimately join Anduril’s distributed production network, which includes the Columbus, Ohio facility; a maritime factory at Quonset Point, Rhode Island; a Ghost Shark factory in Sydney, Australia; a rocket motor facility in McHenry, Mississippi; and more than 15 additional production sites. The project is intended to provide an additional manufacturing source for Virginia-class submarine components and assemblies while increasing capacity across the U.S. submarine industrial base.

Read More → Posted on 2026-10-07 13:50:36