Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Milrem Robotics and VDL Defentec Hand Over First UGVs Intended for Ukraine

June 4th, 2026

Milrem Robotics, the world’s leading developer of robotics and autonomous systems, and Dutch company VDL Defentec have officially opened a THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) production line in Born, the Netherlands. During yesterday’s opening ceremony, the first THeMIS vehicles manufactured in the Netherlands were handed over to the Dutch government for onward delivery to Ukraine.

The production line was established to support the Netherlands-funded delivery of more than 100 THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine. Deliveries are being coordinated through Milrem Robotics’ Dutch subsidiary in cooperation with VDL Defentec.

The final assembly line established at the Born facility has been designed for flexibility, enabling rapid scaling of production capacity and accelerated deliveries when required. In addition to supporting Ukraine, the new manufacturing capability lays the foundation for long-term cooperation between Milrem Robotics and VDL Defentec while strengthening Europe’s defence industrial capacity.

“The opening of this production line and the handover of the first THeMIS vehicles manufactured in the Netherlands mark an important milestone in our cooperation with the Dutch government and VDL Defentec. It demonstrates that Europe’s defence industry is capable of rapidly increasing production capacity and delivering meaningful capabilities to Ukraine. Therefore, this cooperation with VDL is a great fit because of their solid industrial scaling capabilities to serve the European market with Milrem products,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.

Willem van der Leegte, CEO of VDL Groep, highlighted the importance of European industrial cooperation: “The handover of the first THeMIS vehicles produced at our Born facility demonstrates that European companies can jointly establish new manufacturing capabilities at speed and support international security efforts. We are proud of our cooperation with Milrem Robotics, and the delivery of the first THeMIS vehicles manufactured in the Netherlands is an important achievement for this partnership.”

The new vehicles will join the THeMIS platforms already operating in Ukraine since 2022, where they have repeatedly proven their reliability and effectiveness in combat conditions.l

THeMIS is a versatile unmanned ground vehicle designed to support infantry units in logistics, reconnaissance, combat support, and other battlefield tasks. The platform is currently in use or part of robotics programmes in 20 countries, making it the world’s most widely used UGV in its class.

Milrem Robotics is a global leader in robotics and autonomous systems development, with offices in Estonia, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Poland, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.

In addition to the THeMIS UGV, Milrem Robotics is developing the HAVOC robotic combat vehicle, the VECTOR unmanned ground vehicle, and a range of autonomous capabilities, including the ARCOS command-and-control system.

The company is also known for successfully leading the European defence development programme iMUGS under the EDIDP framework, with the follow-on project iMUGS2 currently in preparation.

Posted in International, Press Release, Robotics | No Comments »

Lockheed Martin Demonstrates First-Ever Sanctum C-UAS Launch From GRIZZLY Containerized Launcher

June 4th, 2026

Sanctum™ C-UAS, GRIZZLY™ Containerized Launcher and JAGM Missile successfully integrated and was delivered in under 45 days to defeat Group 3 one-way attack drones.

BETHESDA, Md., June 3, 2026 — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) successfully intercepted a Group 3 one-way attack test drone using a Joint-Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) launched from a GRIZZLY™ containerized launcher for the first time. Sanctum Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) battle manager and Fortem R-40 Radars were used for the successful detection, tracking and engagement of the drone target.

THE BIG PICTURE

Sanctum’s sensors detected and tracked a hostile Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the Sanctum mission management software processed the engagement, and the GRIZZLY launcher fired a JAGM missile neutralizing the target. With integration of hardware-in-the-loop and live-fire testing completed in under 45 days, this event highlights Lockheed Martin’s ability to demonstrate an end to end solution with speed, agility and affordability; critical attributes in today’s rapidly evolving drone-threat environment.

Built on existing prototype architecture, GRIZZLY enables users to employ the ready-to-fire Sanctum C-UAS system without extensive infrastructure and logistical footprints. By integrating advanced sensor, battle management and missile technologies, Lockheed Martin delivers a decisive C-UAS capability that aligns with our customers’ needs for agile and distributed lethality.

WHY IT MATTERS

Scalable Detection & Deployment: Small footprint radar sites with distributed sensors offer configurable coverage options. Containerized launcher can be mounted on ground sites or maritime platforms, supporting distributed operations with minimal logistical footprint.

Distributed Connectivity: Wireless communication solution between radars, battle management and launcher allows for rapid and agile deployment.

Affordable Lethality: Low-cost, commercial sensors, toolless reload and eight-round capacity reduces sustainment expenses while maintaining high-volume firepower.

End-to-End Multi-Mission Capability: Radar, battle management, proven-weapon container and existing layered effectors integrated through Sanctum C-UAS Battle Management software for a complete kill web against group 1-4 UAV threats. This integration will protect forward operating bases, critical assets and maritime platforms.

JAGM Layered Defense: JAGM’s dual mode seeker (SAL/MMW), combined with its C-UAS capability, provides a cost-effective effector that can be rapidly deployed from a multi-missile launcher across a variety of domains, providing enhanced layered defense to protect high?value assets.

EXPERT PERSPECTIVES

“The ability to integrate GRIZZLY’s proven launch architecture with Sanctum’s battle manager on an accelerated timeline demonstrates how Lockheed Martin is applying battlefield innovation and cross-program collaboration to rapidly deliver layered defense capabilities to the warfighter,” said Randy Crites, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Advanced Programs. “This test demonstrated a modular, affordable point-defense solution that can be quickly scaled and deployed across multiple domains to counter evolving threats.”

“This test demonstrates a rapid, low-cost and modular point-defense solution that can be deployed on land or maritime platforms within days,” said Paul Lemmo, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Sensors, Effectors and Mission Systems. “The demonstrated kill chain can operate standalone or integrated with higher echelon command and control systems through the Sanctum mesh network, showing our commitment to meet our customers’ toughest missions.”

Posted in C-UAS, Press Release | No Comments »

Registration Opens for SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range 2027

June 4th, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOULDER CITY, Nev. – June 3, 2026 – Registration is now open for exhibitors participating in the 22nd annual SHOT Show® Industry Day at the Range™, taking place Monday, January 18, 2027, at the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club in Boulder City, Nevada. Held the day before SHOT Show®, the event continues to serve as the shooting sports industry’s premier live product experience and the official kickoff to SHOT Show week.

Industry Day at the Range gives exhibitors a powerful opportunity to introduce new products, generate media coverage and connect face-to-face with influential voices across the firearms, hunting, outdoor and tactical markets. From hands-on demonstrations to live content creation, the event creates meaningful engagement that extends well beyond the range and throughout SHOT Show week.

The morning session is reserved exclusively for qualified media, influencers and ambassadors, offering exhibitors dedicated time to showcase products and facilitate testing in an authentic range environment. Beginning at noon, the event expands to invited industry professionals, retailers, distributors and commercial buyers representing military, law enforcement and tactical channels. Guests of exhibiting SHOT Show companies are also invited to attend, creating even greater opportunities for networking and business development.

“Industry Day continues to be one of the most valuable opportunities for exhibitors to build momentum before SHOT Show officially begins,” said Kelsey Puryear, Industry Day at the Range manager. “The event allows brands to connect directly with the media, creators and buyers who shape purchasing decisions and industry conversations throughout the year.”

Supported by the National Shooting Sports Foundation as title sponsor through 2028, Industry Day at the Range remains the only official range event associated with SHOT Show. Exhibitor space is limited, and companies are encouraged to register early to secure participation.

All attendees are required to be registered for SHOT Show and must complete NSSF credential verification prior to attending.

Exhibitors can register now to reserve space, and a variety of sponsorship opportunities are also available. Additional event details and frequently asked questions can be found on the event website.

For more information about the 2027 SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range, visit ShotShowRangeDay.com.

Posted in Industry, Press Release, SHOT Show | No Comments »

Air Force Forges Decision Advantage Through Logistics C2 Hackathon

June 4th, 2026

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. – To project and sustain overwhelming combat power across the globe, the U.S. Air Force employs a logistics enterprise capable of operating at the speed of the modern battlespace. Demonstrating its commitment to ensuring mission dominance, the 505th Command and Control Wing recently hosted a Logistics C2 Hackathon, focusing on solutions to accelerate decision timelines from tactical requirement generation to strategic execution.

The event unified operational and technical experts from Headquarters Air Force, Air Force Special Operations Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa,Pacific Air Forces, and Air Combat Command. These experts convened to engineer the foundation for a fully integrated, predictive system designed to connect unit-level logistics directly with tactical airlift execution, providing a decisive decision advantage in any environment.

Securing Domain Dominance

The primary objective of the Hackathon was to establish unyielding visibility and control over the Air Force’s logistics domain. To maintain superiority against peer adversaries, the service is fielding a distributed, resilient architecture. By linking the tactical needs of forward-deployed units directly and rapidly to strategic airlift nodes, the Air Force ensures the lethal, just-in-time delivery of critical assets to the warfighter.

“This rapid resupply is the lifeblood of sustained operations,” said Col. Ryan Hayde, 505th CCW commander. “Unparalleled air mobility and logistics are essential to the Joint Force’s ability to fight and win. We are forging the capabilities that ensure our forces stay fueled, armed, and ready to dominate the battlespace.”

Predictive Insights: Weaponizing Logistics

At the heart of this transformation is the integration of artificial intelligence and Maven Smart Systems. Leveraging machine learning and AI-driven analytics, the prototypes developed during the week deliver actionable, predictive insights to keep forces fully sustained.

Tools such as Maven can empower commanders to anticipate operational requirements before they occur, automatically recommending tactical airlift routing and cargo prioritization based on real-time combat needs.

“This leap to predictive execution cements the U.S. military’s decision advantage,” said Capt. Trey Pujats, 505th CCW Logistics C2 Hackathon project co-lead. “We are effectively shortening the logistical kill-chain which allows us to outpace our adversaries by anticipating their moves and ensuring our forces have what they need before they even ask for it.”

Engineering Decisive Effects

To optimize the logistics kill chain, participants were divided into three specialized teams, each engineering a vital component of the automated enterprise:

Phase I: Logistics Reporting: Delivering real-time, unyielding visibility over theater-wide supply chains.

Phase II: Predictive Analysis: Projecting sustainment needs in contested environments to guarantee proactive decision advantage.

Phase III: Airlift Execution: Automating the rapid routing of tactical airlift to sustain continuous combat power.

High-Impact Teaming: Analysts and Cyber Airmen

A critical driver of the event’s success was the intentional teaming of operations research analysts and cyber Airmen. This partnership integrated advanced mathematical modeling with superior data visualization and application development ability. While the operations research analysts designed the predictive algorithms to optimize resource allocation, the software developers built the secure, front-end user interface needed to effectively display data to decision makers.

“The synergy between our operations research analysts and our cyber Airmen was incredible to watch,” said Capt. Andrew Mogan, 505th CCW Logistics C2 Hackathon project co-lead. “In order to enable a robust Logistics Common Operating Picture, we leveraged a proven force multiplier: pairing the analysts who design the algorithms with the Airmen who build the software tools to deploy them.”

Delivering Combat-Ready Capabilities and Operators

The Hackathon concluded as a successful initiative that directly advanced the modernization of the logistics supply chain while serving as a massive force multiplier for workforce lethality.

“By immersing our Airmen in the development of these AI tools and advanced analytics, we achieved a massive collective upskilling,” said Hayde. “This collective upskilling ensures the enterprise is fully equipped to execute rapid, data-driven logistics operations and sustain airpower superiority in future contested environments.”

By Deb Henley

505th Command and Control Wing

Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Logistics | No Comments »

DSEI Germany Attracts Unprecedented Demand, Expanding into a Fourth Hall

June 3rd, 2026

3rd June 2026, Hannover, Germany – Following unprecedented industry demand, DSEI Germany has announced the opening of a fourth exhibition hall ahead of its debut in March 2027. DSEI Germany will be the leading exhibition for defence and security in Germany, featuring defence manufacturers, industrial suppliers, and emerging players from every level of the supply chain.

Taking place from 9-12 March 2027 at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds – Europe’s largest exhibition venue – the opening of another hall expands DSEI Germany’s indoor footprint to 100,000 square metres, alongside a further 25,000 square metres of outdoor display space, together covering an area equivalent to 18 football pitches.

DSEI Germany comes at a pivotal moment for Europe’s defence, security, and strategic autonomy. With Germany’s annual defence budget set to rise to €180 billion by 2030, the show will support Germany, Europe, and NATO’s strategic priorities while creating opportunities for dialogue between military and political leadership and industry.

With nine months until the inaugural edition of DSEI Germany, exhibition space in the original three halls was at capacity. The expansion into a fourth hall will accommodate greater representation across Air & Space, Land, Naval, and Cyber & Information.

The expansion also comes as the Federation of German Security and Defence Industries (BDSV) is confirmed as an industry partner. BDSV represents the collective interests of the German security and defence industries. The trade association supports over 400 companies and serves as a bridge between industry, the Federal Ministry of Defence, Bundeswehr, policymakers, institutions, and media.

“DSEI Germany’s decision to open an additional exhibition hall follows unprecedented demand from industry for a German defence and security exhibition that showcases military capability, industrial innovation, digital technologies, and new market entrants on an international stage”, said Bernd Kögel, Managing Director of DSEI Germany.

He added, “DSEI Germany aims to support NATO’s European members achieve greater independence in their ability to deter, and if necessary, defeat, an adversary. The response from industry is a clear sign of confidence in Europe’s defence and security sectors and the continent’s ability to scale up its industrial capacity and capability development”.

For more information, please visit dsei-germany.com (English) or dsei-germany.com/de (German)

DSEI Germany will be held in partnership with the Deutsche Messe AG and will take place 9-12 March 2027 at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds.

Posted in Enforce Tac, Press Release | No Comments »

Deal Finalised: Rheinmetall Divests its Civilian Division and Focuses on its Defence Business

June 3rd, 2026

With the sale of its civilian activities, the Rheinmetall Group has reached a milestone in its strategic realignment. Rheinmetall and the Munich-based industrial group AEQUITA have now signed a purchase agreement that paves the way for the future of Rheinmetall’s former Power Systems division under new management.

For some time now, Rheinmetall has been focusing on the rapidly growing business with military customers and security agencies, while at the same time expanding its technological portfolio into the domains of air, sea and space. Since last year, the Group has been in talks with potential buyers for its civilian business, which have now been successfully concluded with the signing of an agreement to sell it to AEQUITA.

The transaction, which is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2026, is subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities. The provisional purchase price for 100% of the shares is €350 million and is subject to standard market adjustment mechanisms until closing. The actual final purchase price may therefore differ from this figure.

Following the sale of its large- and small-bore piston operations in 2023/2024, Rheinmetall is now, as announced, taking the decisive step in its exit from the automotive supplier business.

The Power Systems division, which generated sales of around €2 billion in 2025, has been classified as a “discontinued operation” of the Group since the reporting for the fourth quarter of 2025.

All employees will be retained

AEQUITA intends to retain all of the approximately 6,250 Power Systems employees working worldwide at the companies being acquired. AEQUITA regards the highly qualified staff and their skills as the most important asset for future business development and will take on the entire workforce within the framework outlined above.

AEQUITA will operate the former Rheinmetall Power Systems division as an independent entity, with all trademark rights remaining within the company. The company will continue to operate on the market as usual under its long-established brands Pierburg, Kolbenschmidt and Motorservice.

“This is a significant milestone in the company’s history. We are focusing on the high-margin business with military customers, where we have excellent growth opportunities. Our stated objective was to place our civilian business operations in capable hands. We have found an excellent buyer in AEQUITA,” says Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG. “The internationally successful industrial

holding company combines extensive experience in the industrial and automotive sectors with a focus on entrepreneurship, transformation and a long-term perspective.”

“This makes AEQUITA the ideal partner to work with the Power Systems management team to implement the strategy that has been developed and to ensure the long-term success of the Kolbenschmidt and Pierburg brands in the market,” explains Marcus Gerlach, lead negotiator for Rheinmetall AG.

“We are very proud that Rheinmetall has chosen AEQUITA as the new owner of the Power Systems division. The company is an excellent addition to our Automotive division, which will now generate revenues of approximately €5 billion. In the years to come, our focus will be on actively supporting the long-term, successful and sustainable development of the company. This also involves realising synergies within our automotive portfolio,” says Dr Axel Geuer, Chairman and Co-CEO of AEQUITA.

KS Huayu AluTech, Dermalog SensorTec and the Abadiano plant in Spain are excluded from the sale

Excluded from the sale are the three German locations of KS Huayu AluTech GmbH (Neckarsulm, Walldürn and Langenhagen), which will remain within the Rheinmetall Group as a joint venture in the medium term – and continue to be classified as a “discontinued operation”.

The stake in Dermalog SensorTec GmbH, however, will remain within the Rheinmetall Group on a permanent basis. It will be integrated into the Weapon and Ammunition division, and its employees will continue to be based at the Neuss location.

Pierburg S.A.’s Abadiano plant in Spain will also remain with Rheinmetall, along with its workforce and tangible assets. For a transitional period, it will operate as a hybrid site, manufacturing both civilian and military products until the switch to military production is complete.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Deal Finalised: Rheinmetall Divests its Civilian Division and Focuses on its Defence Business

All-American Firepower: Elbit America, Anduril Team to Offer SIGMA Mobile Tactical Cannon to Soldiers

June 3rd, 2026

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – June 2, 2026 – Elbit Systems of America (Elbit America) and Anduril Industries (Anduril) announce a strategic teaming agreement to offer the SIGMA Mobile Tactical Cannon for the U.S. Army’s Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization program. The teaming pairs Elbit America’s experience as a systems integrator and manufacturer of large ground vehicles with Anduril’s expertise in C5ISR, battle management and autonomy software. Together, the companies will provide an innovative, all-American solution for the U.S. Army, offering soldiers the edge on the future battlefield. SIGMA will enable sustained fires from a connected, mobile and survivable platform.

“We’re proud to team with Anduril to reduce network integration risk and accelerate fielding,” said Luke Savoie, president and CEO of Elbit America. “Built in the U.S. with a fully domestic supply chain, SIGMA is a combat-proven system that provides the modernization and reliability the Army needs now.”

If awarded with the program, SIGMA’s communication with the U.S. fire control network and Army Command and Control systems will leverage Anduril’s unique capabilities and experience. Anduril will also integrate its Lattice software platform into future variants of SIGMA, unlocking autonomy, while further enhancing mobility and lethality.

“On Team SIGMA, we’re providing expertise in software, edge compute and autonomy to deliver a connected, software-defined mobile artillery solution that will integrate seamlessly into existing Army Command and Control and fire control architectures,” said Michael Roder, managing director at Anduril.

The Elbit America-Anduril partnership strengthens Team SIGMA, which also includes Oshkosh Defense, manufacturer of the system’s 10×10 platform. Oshkosh brings world-class mobility and protection for the cannon’s chassis, while more than 300 U.S. suppliers contribute engineering depth, manufacturing resilience and support. Together, this domestic network aims to deliver a highly maneuverable, digitally integrated and production-ready solution that can meet the Army’s modernization timelines.

“Excited to see Elbit Systems of America and Anduril Industries working together to manufacture a cutting-edge military vehicle right here in America. The men and women at Elbit America’s headquarters in Fort Worth are truly at the forefront in developing the capabilities to strengthen America’s warfighters and preserve America’s national security,” said U.S. Rep. Craig Goldman.

www.elbitamerica.com/sigma

Posted in Industry, Press Release, weapons | No Comments »

Cadre Holdings Subsidiary Safariland Selected as Ballistic Provider for FBI Armor Contract

June 3rd, 2026

Award Underscores Competitive Strength of Cadre’s Product Segment and Mission-Critical Market Position

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Cadre Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CDRE), a global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of safety equipment and other related products for the law enforcement, first responder, military and nuclear markets, today announced that its subsidiary Safariland® has been selected as the ballistic panel provider integrated into Predictive Ballistics LLC’s Overt Armor Kit (OAK). Predictive Ballistics was recently awarded a five-year, $61 million Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The OAK system is also available to the United States Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration and other Department of Justice agencies.

The selection of Safariland’s SX™ HP ballistic panel, introduced in 2025, as the ballistic package for this contract demonstrates accelerating commercial adoption of the product and validates Cadre’s ongoing investment in next-generation protective equipment. The SX™ HP was chosen over 11 competing products following a rigorous evaluation process that assessed ballistic performance, construction quality and extensive end-user testing for function, fit and comfort, including some of the most demanding ballistic testing protocols in the industry.

“This award represents a major accomplishment for our team and underscores the constant commitment to innovation that remains at the heart of everything we do,” said Brad Williams, President of Cadre Holdings. “After introducing the Safariland SX™ HP ballistic panel in 2025, we are pleased to see broader adoption and enthusiastic feedback from customers that we have engineered one of the thinnest, lightest and most protective hybrid ballistic armor on the market. With best-in-class brands and a steadfast commitment to our life-saving mission, we believe Safariland is well positioned to drive growth over the long term.”

The contract adds to Cadre’s growing pipeline of federal law enforcement business and reflects the company’s strategy of developing highly engineered, mission-critical products that serve demanding end markets with rigorous performance standards and high barriers to entry. Federal agency contracts of this nature are typically characterized by multi-year terms, defined delivery schedules and strong recurring demand driven by equipment modernization cycles.

Posted in Armor, Contracts, LE, Press Release | No Comments »