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Rheinmetall Offers Croatia a Long-Term Strategic Industrial Partnership: Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles to Become a Centre of Future Defence

July 10th, 2026

Croatia is set to become one of Europe’s key hubs for the development, production and export of advanced defence technologies in the field of unmanned systems, creating new opportunities for domestic industry, exports, research and development.

ZAGREB, 8 July 2026 – Rheinmetall AG, one of Europe’s leading technology and defence companies, today presented Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles d.o.o., its joint venture with the Croatian company DOK-ING, marking the beginning of a long-term strategic industrial partnership between Rheinmetall and the Republic of Croatia.

The Inauguration Ceremony was attended by Andrej Plenkovi?, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Armin Papperger, Chief Executive Officer of Rheinmetall AG, Vjekoslav Majeti?, Founder of DOK-ING, members of the Croatian Government, as well as numerous representatives of Croatian state institutions, the diplomatic corps, industry, academia and international partners.

The establishment of the company represents the first step in Rheinmetall’s long-term vision for Croatia, which includes the development of Croatian industrial, technological and manufacturing capabilities in partnership with domestic industry, research institutions, universities and shipyards, integrating them into Rheinmetall’s European and global programmes. The objective is to position Croatia as one of Europe’s key centres for the development, production and export of unmanned systems and other advanced defence technologies.

ARMIN PAPPERGER, CEO OF RHEINMETALL AG:

“We aim to build a broad industrial partnership with Croatia that will include local suppliers, the shipbuilding industry, research institutions and academia. Croatia has the expertise, industrial tradition and talented people required to become a manufacturing and development hub for advanced defence technologies. Together, we can build capabilities that will serve Croatia, Europe and our allies, while creating new export opportunities for Croatian industry.”

The newly established Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles represents the first and most important step in implementing this strategy. The company will combine DOK-ING’s more than thirty years of expertise in unmanned systems with Rheinmetall’s global development, manufacturing and market capabilities, creating a new European centre for the development of next-generation unmanned ground platforms.

Croatian expertise as part of a global system

Research, development and engineering capabilities will remain in Croatia, while the joint venture will provide Croatian experts with access to global markets, advanced technologies, serial production and international development programmes.

Its objective is to develop a new generation of unmanned and autonomous ground platforms for military and security applications, including combat support systems, combat engineering operations, mine clearance and other high-risk missions, building on DOK-ING’s Komodo platform and Rheinmetall’s expertise in the integration of complex defence systems.

VJEKOSLAV MAJETI?, FOUNDER OF DOK-ING:

“More than thirty years ago, DOK-ING was founded on the belief that Croatian knowledge and expertise could create technologies capable of changing the world. Today, we are not closing one chapter—we are opening a new one. I firmly believe that technologies developed in Croatia will contribute to Europe’s security and demonstrate that Croatian industry can stand alongside the world’s leading companies as an equal partner. I am particularly proud that Croatian engineers will have the opportunity to develop, here in Zagreb, systems that will shape the future of the European defence industry.”

An industrial partnership that goes beyond a single investment

Rheinmetall’s strategy in Croatia extends far beyond the development of unmanned ground systems. The company is already present in the naval sector and has, over recent months, further expanded its cooperation with Croatian industry, the shipbuilding sector and academia. This creates the foundations for the long-term localisation of production, the development of new technologies and the stronger integration of Croatian companies into European defence programmes.

Rheinmetall’s industrial model is based on creating local value through the development of domestic suppliers, technology transfer, strengthened research and development, the creation of new jobs and the establishment of sustainable manufacturing capacities with strong export potential.

For this reason, Croatia’s role in Rheinmetall’s strategy extends well beyond hosting a single investment. Croatia has the opportunity to become Rheinmetall’s long-term industrial partner in Southeast Europe.

ANDREJ PLENKOVI?, PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA:

“I congratulate Rheinmetall and DOK-ING on strengthening their partnership, marking a new chapter in the development of Croatia’s defence industry and an important step forward in advanced technologies, innovation, and the strengthening of domestic industrial capabilities.

We want to build a Croatia that develops, manufactures, and exports the most advanced technologies while actively contributing to Europe’s security. This strategic partnership between DOK-ING and Rheinmetall confirms that Croatia is not only a user of advanced technologies, but also a country that helps develop and create them. In today’s evolving security environment, Europe is rapidly strengthening its defence capabilities and industrial base, and Croatia is actively contributing to these efforts. We are implementing the largest modernisation cycle of the Croatian Armed Forces, increasing investment in defence, and supporting the growth of Croatia’s defence industry, which brings together around 200 companies, employs more than 3,000 people, and achieves strong export results across EU and NATO markets. It is particularly important that key development activities will remain in Croatia, where a Centre of Competence for the development of autonomous and uncrewed ground systems will be established. This will enable Croatian engineers, experts, and researchers to play an active role in developing the cutting-edge technologies that will shape the future of defence and security.”

Rheinmetall’s approach is fully aligned with the objectives of Croatia’s Industrial Development Plan 2027–2034, including strengthening competitiveness, increasing exports, fostering innovation, accelerating digitalisation and integrating Croatian industry into European value chains. At the same time, the project contributes to strengthening Europe’s defence industrial base, resilient supply chains and technological sovereignty.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovi? and Armin Papperger, Chief Executive Officer of Rheinmetall AG, also held a bilateral meeting to discuss the further development of Rheinmetall’s activities in Croatia, future investments, the integration of Croatian companies into international supply chains and opportunities for expanding manufacturing and research capacities.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release, Robotics | Comments Off on Rheinmetall Offers Croatia a Long-Term Strategic Industrial Partnership: Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles to Become a Centre of Future Defence

TECOM Establishes Marine Corps Robotics Integration Group and Counter Drone Team

July 10th, 2026

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.— The Marine Corps has established theMarine Corps Robotics Integration Groupas its service-level organization responsible for integrating, standardizing, and institutionalizing training for Group 1 and Group 2 small unmanned aircraft systems and counter-small unmanned aircraft systems across the Total Force, as announced inMARADMIN 307/26.

Assigned under Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, MCRIG serves as the Marine Corps’ focal point for unmanned systems training integration, curriculum development, and education. The organization ensures emerging drone capabilities are transformed into standardized programs of instruction, instructor certifications, and enduring training products that can be delivered consistently throughout the Marine Corps.

“The battlefield continues to demonstrate that small unmanned aircraft systems are no longer niche capabilities; they are indispensable tools for reconnaissance, precision strike, force protection and survivability,” said Maj. Gen. Mark H. Clingan, commanding general, MAGTFTC, MCAGCC. “The Marine Corps Robotics Integration Group provides the institutional framework necessary to rapidly integrate validated capabilities into standardized training, ensuring Marines across the Total Force are prepared to employ and defeat these systems in future conflicts.”

The establishment of MCRIG reflects the Marine Corps’ continued effort to adapt to the rapidly evolving character of warfare, where inexpensive, commercially available unmanned aircraft have fundamentally changed how modern militaries detect, target, maneuver, and fight. MCRIG also establishes a deliberate process for transitioning emerging capabilities into formal Marine Corps training.

As the service-level integrator, MCRIG receives validated capability packages, including tactics, techniques and procedures, pilot courses and training requirements, from specialized organizations responsible for experimentation and operational assessment. Once validated, MCRIG develops curriculum, training support packages, and certification standards before distributing them through designated regional hubs that execute standardized instruction across the Fleet Marine Force.

Central to this process are two complementary organizations: the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team and the newly established Marine Corps Counter Drone Team.

“The Marine Corps Attack Drone Team and the Marine Corps Counter Drone Team are designed to move at the speed of technology. Through the analysis of exercises, operations, and purposely designed events we gain critical information about how systems should be employed or defeated,” said Col. Charles Anklam III, commanding officer, Weapons Training Battalion. “Our responsibility is to rigorously test ideas, validate capabilities, and rapidly transition those findings to MCRIG, where they become standardized training that benefits every Marine. This partnership allows us to remain agile to the constantly changing threat, innovate quickly, and provide the fleet with consistently reliable, credible, and operationally relevant information to increase lethality and survivability.”

The Marine Corps established MCCDT to accelerate counter-drone training development in the same way MCADT has supported and advanced attack drone capability development, experimentation, research, testing, and evaluation. Together, the two organizations provide Training Command a focused capability to study both sides of the unmanned systems fight: employment and defeat.

As an organic element of Weapons Training Battalion at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, MCCDT serves as Training Command’s dedicated counter-drone training development cell. Not designed to deploy as an operational force provider, MCCDT’s role is to identify the threat, test emerging solutions, validate practical tactics, and transition those findings to MCRIG for service-wide implementation.

MCCDT integrates lessons from MCWL, MAGTFTC, MCRIG, government partners, industry, and the Fleet Marine Force to ensure counter-drone tactics and training remain operationally relevant. This approach allows the Marine Corps to rapidly assess emerging threats, evaluate available technologies, and convert battlefield lessons into practical training requirements.

Using established Marine Corps guidance and approved training standards as its baseline, MCCDT conducts operational assessments and force-on-force evaluations to refine C-sUAS best practices. Once validated, those recommendations are provided to MCRIG for incorporation into institutional doctrine, curriculum, instructor certifications, and standardized training products.

This relationship creates a disciplined innovation pathway. MCADT and MCCDT move quickly to support the experimentation, assessment, and validation of tactics against emerging unmanned systems challenges, while MCRIG ensures those lessons become consistent, repeatable, and enduring training across the Marine Corps.

Together, these organizations create a continuous cycle of innovation and institutional learning, rapidly identifying and validating lessons through operational assessment, and incorporating them into formal Marine Corps training.

Designated TECOM regional hubs will execute MCRIG-approved courses throughout the Marine Corps, providing geographically distributed training while also returning operational observations and lessons learned to support continuous improvement of curriculum and tactics. The integrated training enterprise provides the Marine Corps with a sustainable framework capable of rapidly adapting as unmanned technologies evolve, ensuring Marines receive standardized, current, and operationally relevant instruction regardless of where they train.

The Marine Corps is also seeking motivated, technically proficient, and innovative Marines to help build this emerging capability. Marines interested in serving in select C-sUAS billets within MCRIG are encouraged to review MARADMIN 307/26 for eligibility requirements and application procedures.

The establishment of MCRIG and MCCDT represents another significant milestone in the Marine Corps’ broader modernization efforts, ensuring Marines remain prepared to employ and counter rapidly evolving unmanned systems while preserving the agility, lethality, and survivability required on tomorrow’s battlefield.

Story by Maj Hector Infante

U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command

Posted in Admin, C-UAS, Drone, Guest Post, Profession of Arms, Robotics, USMC, UxS | No Comments »

Shell Shock Technologies Announces .50 BMG NAS3 Case

July 10th, 2026

Third-party live-fire testing confirms substantial velocity gains; production is underway with expected availability in August 2026.

Eubank, KY (July 2026) – Shell Shock Technologies, LLC. (SST), a leading innovator in the ammunition industry, today announced the completion of independent live-fire testing for its .50 BMG NAS3™ case, with results confirming significant velocity and performance advantages over standard brass at standard operating pressures. The .50 BMG NAS3 case was developed to meet the demanding performance and logistics requirements of military and law enforcement end-users, as well as extreme long-range precision shooters. Production is currently underway, and SST expects the .50 BMG NAS3 case to be available for purchase on its website in August 2026.

Testing was conducted by Vairog US, LLC on March 31, 2026, using a 650-grain Ball projectile, WC860 propellant, and a CCI No.35 primer in a 28-inch barrel. At a 265-grain powder charge and 66,770 PSI, the SST NAS3 case produced 3,111 feet per second. For reference, standard brass-cased M33 Ball ammunition typically produces approximately 2,910 FPS. Testing was conducted across nine charge weights ranging from 245 to 285 grains, with zero primer or case failures recorded throughout.

The velocity advantage is a direct function of NAS3case architecture. The SST .50 BMG case features approximately 13.5 percent greater internal capacity than standard brass, roughly 330 grains of case volume, versus ~290 grains, enabling a meaningfully higher powder charge at equivalent pressures. The result is greater muzzle velocity and downrange energy without exceeding the cartridge’s standard pressure envelope.

Weight reduction is equally significant. At approximately 33.7 grams, the SST .50 BMG NAS3case is roughly 40 percent lighter than a comparable brass case (~54.85 grams). Across 1,000 rounds, that translates to approximately 46 pounds of weight savings, a logistics and mobility benefit with direct operational relevance for military and law enforcement personnel managing load weight in the field. This is also a meaningful advantage for long-range competition and precision shooting disciplines where every equipment decision matters.

The NAS3 case’s nickel-stainless steel alloy construction also contributes to cleaner extractions, faster cooling versus brass, and corrosion resistance that supports reliable performance under sustained fire and adverse environmental conditions.

“The .50 BMG has defined long-range precision and overmatch capability for generations. What we’ve done with the NAS3 case is take that proven platform and fundamentally change what it’s capable of delivering. Independent testing confirms what our engineering told us: more velocity, less weight, same pressure envelope. For the military and law enforcement operators and long-range precision shooters who depend on this caliber, that’s not an incremental improvement. That’s a new baseline,” said Peter Foss, Managing Partner and CEO of Shell Shock Technologies.

The .50 BMG NAS3 case is engineered for professional end-users who require every performance advantage the platform can deliver, and for precision shooters pushing the limits of extreme long-range capability.

Keep up with Shell Tech’s advanced ammunition on the website and social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.

Posted in Ammo, Press Release | Comments Off on Shell Shock Technologies Announces .50 BMG NAS3 Case

Thermal Comfort as a Tactical Advantage

July 10th, 2026

Expert interview with Martin Bentz, CEO of Outlast Technologies

Modern soldier systems are becoming more advanced, more protective and more complex. But with every additional layer of equipment, the microclimate close to the body becomes more critical. Heat build-up, perspiration, cold bridges and loss of comfort can all affect endurance, concentration and operational readiness.

Outlast Technologies addresses this challenge with textile technologies designed to support thermal balance, comfort and performance in demanding environments: Outlast® Temperature Regulation and Aersulate® high-performance insulation. In this interview, Martin Bentz, CEO of Outlast Technologies, explains why thermal comfort is becoming an increasingly important factor in military and protective textile systems.

Mr. Bentz, why is thermal management becoming such an important topic in modern soldier systems?

Modern protective clothing has to do many things at once. It must protect, support mobility, be durable, and often integrate with additional equipment such as body armor, backpacks, communication systems or load-bearing gear. This creates highly complex clothing systems.

The challenge is that every additional layer also influences the microclimate close to the body. Heat can build up, moisture can accumulate, and the wearer may start to sweat even before the physical workload becomes extreme. In military environments, this is not just a comfort issue. Thermal stress can increase physical strain and may make it harder to stay focused over long periods.

That is why we believe thermal comfort should be seen as part of operational performance. If the body is less distracted by overheating, sweating or chilling, the wearer has better conditions to remain comfortable, alert and ready to perform.

In many cases, textiles focus on moisture management. Why is that not always enough?

Moisture management is important, but it usually starts when perspiration is already there. The textile reacts to sweat by transporting it away from the skin. That can be useful, but it means the body has already entered a state of thermal imbalance.

Our approach with Outlast® Temperature Regulation is different. The technology is designed to act earlier. It helps absorb excess heat, store it and release it again when needed. The goal is to support a more balanced microclimate before the wearer becomes too hot or too cold.

For military and protective applications, this can be highly relevant because wearers often move between different activity levels and environments. A soldier may stand still for a period of time, then suddenly become highly active, then return to a lower activity level. Textile systems must be able to support these transitions.

How does Outlast® Temperature Regulation work in simple terms?

The technology is based on microencapsulated natural wax. These tiny capsules can absorb excess body heat when the wearer becomes too warm. When the body or the surrounding microclimate cools down again, the stored heat can be released back.

This helps reduce temperature peaks and supports a more stable microclimate. It is not about making a textile cold. It is about creating a more balanced comfort zone.

For the wearer, this can mean less overheating, less perspiration build-up and a more comfortable feeling during changing conditions. In some applications, tests have shown perspiration reduction of up to 48%, depending on product construction and use case. In demanding environments, this can contribute to reduced physical discomfort and better conditions for focus and endurance.

Where do you see the strongest potential for Outlast® Temperature Regulation in military applications?

There are many possible areas. Base layers are an obvious example, because they are worn directly next to the skin and strongly influence the body’s thermal perception. But the technology can also be relevant in linings, mid layers, gloves, socks, sleeping systems or textile components used under protective equipment.

One interesting area is clothing worn under ballistic protection or other heavy gear. These systems often limit ventilation, which can make the microclimate more challenging. A textile technology that helps manage heat and moisture build-up can provide a real comfort benefit.

We also see potential in situations with changing temperatures: moving between vehicles and outside environments, between heated indoor spaces and cold outdoor conditions, or between high activity and rest phases.

You also focus on Aersulate®. What makes this technology interesting for military and protective textiles?

Aersulate® is a high-performance insulation technology based on aerogel. Aerogel is known for its extremely low thermal conductivity. The challenge has always been to bring this performance into textile structures in a practical and wearable way.

With Aersulate®, we can enable thin, flexible and high-performing insulation concepts. This is especially interesting for military applications because volume, weight and freedom of movement are always critical. If a jacket, glove or protective textile can be thinner while still offering strong insulation performance, this opens completely new design opportunities.

The technology can also support multifunctional textile constructions. For example, it can be combined with different textile carriers, including solutions for protective or flame-resistant applications, depending on the construction and material concept.

Why is thin insulation such an important advantage?

In military clothing, bulk is a major issue. Thick insulation can restrict movement, increase pack volume and make layering more difficult. It can also interfere with equipment such as body armor, harnesses or backpacks.

A thinner insulation concept can help designers create garments that are easier to wear, easier to pack and better suited to complex equipment systems. It can also support better fit and mobility.

Another important point is performance under pressure. In real use, insulation is often compressed – for example at the shoulders under backpack straps, at the elbows, knees or seat areas. Many conventional insulation materials lose performance when compressed. Aersulate® can help address this challenge by enabling insulation concepts that perform even in demanding constructions.

How does this connect to RCT values and measurable performance?

In technical textiles, performance must be measurable. RCT values are a key indicator for thermal resistance, showing how effectively a material slows down heat flow.

With Aersulate®, strong insulation performance can be achieved in very thin textile constructions. Depending on the article, Aersulate® fabrics with a thickness of only 1.1 reach RCT values of 0.08, combined with low thermal conductivity values down to 0.028 W/mK. This gives product developers more freedom to reduce bulk, work with slimmer constructions or design advanced multilayer systems while still targeting measurable thermal performance.

Aersulate® also shows its strength under pressure. In a test with a 100 °C heating plate and a 5 kg weight applied to the fabric, the Aersulate® felt reached only around 60 °C after 12 minutes, while a comparable felt without Aersulate® reached around 75 °C. This makes Aersulate® especially relevant for applications where insulation has to perform in limited space, under load or close to heat sources.

For military and protective markets, measurable performance is essential. It is not enough for a material to feel good in a showroom. It has to deliver reliable benefits in demanding real-world conditions.

You mentioned flame-resistant constructions. How important is that for this target group?

It can be very important, depending on the application. Military and protective textiles often have to meet multiple requirements at once. Thermal comfort alone is not enough. A fabric may also need durability, flame resistance, abrasion resistance, breathability, low bulk or compatibility with other equipment.

This is where textile engineering becomes interesting. Aersulate® is not just an insulation material; it can be part of a broader construction concept. Depending on the textile carrier and system design, it can contribute to multifunctional fabrics that combine insulation with other protective properties.

The future of military textiles is not one single function. It is the intelligent combination of functions in one system.

What is the biggest misconception about thermal comfort in protective clothing?

Many people still think of comfort as something secondary – something nice to have after protection and durability have been solved. But in demanding applications, comfort has a direct impact on the wearer.

If a person overheats, sweats heavily or feels cold during low-activity phases, this creates additional stress. The body has to work harder to maintain balance. Over time, this can affect endurance, concentration and the overall ability to perform.

Thermal comfort should therefore not be seen as a luxury. It is part of functional performance.

What message would you like to give to military equipment developers and textile engineers?

Do not look at thermal comfort as an afterthought. Consider it from the very beginning of product development.

A garment or textile system can meet all formal requirements and still be uncomfortable in real use if the microclimate is not managed properly. Especially in military and protective applications, where equipment is worn for long periods and under high physical stress, this can make a major difference.

Our message is simple: advanced thermal management can help create better conditions for the wearer. Less thermal stress, better comfort and more design freedom are not separate goals. They are part of the same performance story.

About Outlast Technologies

Outlast Technologies is the Temperature Specialist in Textile and develops solutions for apparel, bedding, footwear, protective clothing, military and technical textile applications. Its portfolio includes Outlast® Temperature Regulation, based on microencapsulated natural wax, and Aersulate® high-performance insulation, designed to enable thin, efficient and multifunctional textile constructions.

For more information, visit www.outlast.com.

Posted in Guest Post, Materials | No Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Shadow Pack

July 10th, 2026

Not every mission looks like one. The FirstSpear SHADOW PACK was designed to offer a low-profile solution for carrying short rifles, sub-guns, or shotguns without advertising the fact. Its soft, non-tactical exterior blends into urban environments and plain-clothes operations where discretion isn’t a preference; it’s a requirement. Fully adjustable shoulder straps and a quick-release sternum strap keep the pack secure and allow for rapid removal when speed matters.

Feature Call-Outs:

DISCREET, NON-TACTICAL EXTERIOR
LIGHTWEIGHT, DURABLE CONSTRUCTION
QUICK-RELEASE STERNUM STRAP
CARRIES SHORT RIFLES, SUB-GUNS, AND SHOTGUNS

At its core, the SHADOW PACK combines lightweight, durable construction with a purpose-built interior designed around the mission. Multiple interior and exterior pockets provide organized storage for magazines, tools, and mission-specific gear, while a rear zippered compartment keeps small essentials accessible and out of sight. Available in Black, Multicam Black, and Stone/Manatee Grey/Rust, the SHADOW PACK delivers covert capability without unnecessary bulk or compromise.

Built for military personnel, law enforcement officers, and prepared professionals who demand reliable equipment, the SHADOW PACK delivers low-visibility carry without sacrificing organization or access. Purpose-driven, covert, and comfortable; it brings discreet capability to those who need it most. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting-edge tactical gear for military, law enforcement, and those who train. For more information, visit First-Spear.com.

Posted in Admin, Advertiser, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Load Carrying | Comments Off on FirstSpear Friday Focus: Shadow Pack

US Army Selects Four Contractors for Engineer Autonomous Breaching Capability to Automate Battlefield Breaching Operations

July 10th, 2026

DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. – The Capability Program Executive Mission Autonomy announced today the selection of four companies for the Engineer Autonomous Breaching Capability (EABC) initiative, a key effort to modernize engineer support for Soldiers on the battlefield.

This project will develop and prototype autonomous systems capable of rapidly breaching complex obstacles and minefields under direct observation and fire, minimizing personnel exposure and ensuring the safe passage of follow-on forces. The selected contractors will provide advanced robotic systems designed for beyond-line-of-sight autonomous control, directly enhancing the Army’s ability to conduct multi-domain operations.

The four selected companies – Caterpillar (Irving, Texas), Forterra (Clarksburg, Md.), IDV USA (York, Pa.) and Overland AI (Seattle) — were chosen for their innovative approaches to autonomous breaching. Their proposed technologies range from autonomous commercial equipment to purpose-built robotic platforms, both featuring modular payloads to support varied breaching requirements.

Formal contract awards for the EABC initiative are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. Once awarded, the project will advance into a series of demonstrations and assessments, culminating in a Transformation in Contact unit assessment in early 2027. This rotation will allow the Army to collect direct, unit-level feedback to inform the production decision for the next generation of autonomous engineer systems.

By Ashley John

Posted in Army, Breaching, Contracts, Guest Post, Robotics | Comments Off on US Army Selects Four Contractors for Engineer Autonomous Breaching Capability to Automate Battlefield Breaching Operations

NATO Selects Saab’s GlobalEye

July 9th, 2026

At the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that NATO will begin formal negotiations with Saab regarding the acquisition of up to ten GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) systems.

At this point, Saab has not signed a contract or received an order related to the announcement.

NATO has identified the need to replace its existing AEW&C capability as part of a broader effort to modernise and strengthen the Alliance’s surveillance and situational awareness capabilities. The announcement by the NATO Secretary General confirms that Saab’s GlobalEye is NATO’s chosen solution for its future AEW&C capability.

“We are honoured and proud to support NATO in its next-generation AEW&C capability. We are confident that GlobalEye is the right choice for the Alliance, delivering proven capability, adaptability and long-term operational advantage. Today’s announcement clearly positions GlobalEye as the world-leading solution for advanced airborne early warning and control. We look forward to the next steps in the negotiations,” says Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

GlobalEye will enable the Alliance to monitor vast areas of land, sea and air, significantly enhancing NATO’s ability to detect and respond to a wide range of threats. GlobalEye combines Saab’s Erieye Extended Range radar with an advanced suite of sensors and a multi-domain Command and Control (C2) system, on a Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft. As an AEW&C system, GlobalEye provides long-range detection with high update rates, capable of identifying low-observable and stealthy threats, as well as drones, ballistic and hypersonic missiles, even in complex environments characterised by heavy clutter and electronic jamming.

Saab will now proceed to formal negotiations with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to secure a contract.

Posted in Aviation, NATO, Press Release, Sensors | No Comments »

New Autonomous Monitor Prevents Drone Crashes in Real Time

July 9th, 2026

University of Houston Engineer Develops Safety System to Protect Drones from Sudden HazardsKey Takeaways:

A University of Houston engineer developed a real-time safety system that helps quadrotor drones avoid crashes.
The new technology can prevent accidents caused by unexpected events like a gust of wind or anything that pushes the drone off course.
The research moves advanced drone safety technology forward.

HOUSTON, July 7 — A University of Houston engineer has built a new safety monitor system for the operation of quadrotor drones that can keep them on course and out of danger in real time.

Typically, a drone follows directions of its pilot or onboard software, but if there is an unexpected occurrence, like a gust of wind, the drone can be thrown off course and head for danger. That’s when this new system would step in, enabling the drone to stay within safety limits to complete its task.

The quadrotor (or quadcopter), the most popular type of drone, is powered by four rotors, is extremely agile and can hover with precision. Because it’s easy to fly, and fits nicely into tight spaces, it is popularly used in everything from structural inspections to photography.

Marzia Cescon, David C. Zimmerman Assistant Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at the UH Cullen College of Engineering, calls her new system a “safety supervisor.” She announced the system in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Digital Collection.

The safety supervisor is actually a new module onboard the drone. Cescon created it to guarantee run-time assurance, a safety mechanism that continuously watches the system while it is flying. To keep the drone safe, the module monitors the drone’s tilt and position in real time.

“You can think of it as an invisible fence that defines where the drone can safely be. Whenever the ‘safety supervisor’ predicts that the drone will get dangerously close to the fence and potentially crash onto it, the algorithm we designed pushes it away from it,” said Cescon, who developed and tested the supervisor algorithm in the UH Advanced Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Control laboratory.

Technically, the supervisor is implemented as a Control Barrier Function, that is a mathematical tool used to decide if the drone is approaching danger, and if so, takes control of the flight to keep things safe.

“This work advances the state of the art by showing how CBF-based RTA schemes can be reliably integrated with standard optimal controllers and deployed on real hardware, highlighting practical tradeoffs between various implementations. The work fills an important gap between CBF and RTA theory and deployable real-world control systems,” said Cescon.

Posted in Drone, Press Release | No Comments »