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Galvion Showcases Cortex EVO HALO Upgrade Pathway for US Army NG-IHPS at AUSA 2026

October 8th, 2026

Galvion, a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative head systems, power and data management solutions, and integrated soldier systems, will showcase a new Cortex™ EVO HALO integration concept for the U.S. Army’s in-service Next-Generation Integrated Head Protection System (NG-IHPS) at AUSA 2026 in Washington, D.C., October 12–14, Hall E, booth 7917.

The NG-IHPS concept marks the latest evolution of Galvion’s Cortex EVO architecture and the first time EVO HALO has been integrated onto a non-Galvion helmet. Designed as an externally mounted implementation of Cortex EVO, HALO provides a potential pathway to introduce advanced power, data and headborne capabilities onto both new and fielded helmet platforms, without requiring replacement of the underlying protective system.

First introduced in its deeply integrated Embedded configuration at SOF Week 2026, Cortex EVO brings protection, power, data and compute together within a unified headborne architecture. The HALO configuration, introduced on Galvion’s Batlskin Caiman® helmet at Eurosatory 2026, extends that same architecture through an externally mounted approach, providing greater flexibility for integration across existing helmet platforms.

Applying EVO HALO to NG-IHPS takes that approach a step further. By adapting the architecture to a non-Galvion helmet, the concept illustrates how advanced headborne capabilities could be introduced to the U.S. Army’s fielded NG-IHPS fleet while continuing to leverage the existing protective platform.

The approach provides a potential upgrade path as soldier-worn technologies and operational requirements continue to evolve.

The NG-IHPS configuration is being developed to support integration with current and emerging soldier-worn technologies, including the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular (ENVG-B) and Binod platforms. Through its common power and data backbone, Cortex EVO can support visual augmentation, sensing and awareness technologies, digital communications and other headborne capabilities within a unified system environment.

Galvion’s AlertCentr™ software enables mission-relevant information to be managed at the headborne level, including configurable visual and audio cueing designed to allow operators to access and act on critical information without diverting attention to secondary devices. The open architecture also enables Galvion-developed and third-party technologies to operate within a common system environment.

Jonathan Blanshay, Founder and Executive Chairman of Galvion, said: “Modernization doesn’t always have to mean replacing proven equipment. Embedded EVO shows what is possible when integration begins at the helmet design stage, while HALO provides another pathway for helmet systems already in service. By integrating EVO HALO onto NG-IHPS, we’re showing how an existing protective platform could evolve to support new capabilities as requirements and technologies advance, while preserving the investment already in place.”

Posted in AUSA, Helmets, Press Release | Comments Off on Galvion Showcases Cortex EVO HALO Upgrade Pathway for US Army NG-IHPS at AUSA 2026

USSOCOM HICAR Update

October 8th, 2026

A version of this article first appeared a few weeks ago in Issue 38 of our weekly Soldier Systems Digest newsletter. It was prompted by a vendor demonstrating their candidate carbine leading many to believe the program had already selected a carbine. That is not true. The article has been slightly modified from the original to clarify some points. This is a link to the article we posted after the program was announced in June. It details the requirements. We’ve learned a lot since then.

What HICAR is…

A USSOCOM effort to field a new Stoner-pattern carbine capable of firing the high pressure, 5.56mm cartridge known as M855A1+.

The cartridge has been under development with Federal on behalf of Picatonny Arsenal for several years and referred to as “5.56 Max.”

The cartridge uses Federal’s Peak alloy case technology to deliver chamber pressures in excess of 80,000 psi. This was originally developed for the 7mm Backcountry cartridge.

What HICAR is NOT…

It is not an Army program.

It is not going to replace the 900,000+ M4 carbines currently in Army service.

The Army currently has no plans to adopt M855A1+ ammunition. However, they have paid for its development and are monitoring the program closely.

NGSW remains the Army’s primary small arms modernization effort. In fact, the Army is moving forward with fielding of the XM8 carbine to replace the M7.

The Program as it stands…

There are currently three competitors in down select who will deliver rifles to the command very soon to undergo live fire evaluation. All three companies were directed to NOT publicly acknowledge their participation, so if a company is showing you what they’ve got, they aren’t part of the program.

USSOCOM has POMed (budgeted) for both rifles and ammunition and is dedicated to this program. They currently have courses of action which procure full weapons as well as an Upper Receiver Group-only option. This is why the candidate systems must be M4 compatible.

Numbers are not being publicly disclosed but I would put them as similar to USMC M27 numbers, eventually.

FY27 will see the command down select to one candidate weapon and transition to an OTA for rapid procurement in FY28.

The ammunition…

I have concerns over referring to the ammo as M855A1+. While the HICAR must be capable of shooting standard pressure rounds as well as the new ammo, the inverse isn’t true for legacy M4s. It’s quite possible that high pressure wounds will end up in standard M4s. This is particularly the case for enablers who will likely not be armed with HICAR but embedded within SOF formations operationally. Will this result in catastrophic failures? No, but those high pressure rounds will certainly curtail the life of the M4. However, the danger does exist that an M4 firing M855A1+ may face broken bolt lugs or other failures during a fire fight.

It is my understanding that the ammunition has been safety certified, including passing an obstructed barrel test on an M4A1.

I assert the ammo absolutely needs a new nomenclature and DODIC. I’m also not a fan of the “hyper” velocity moniker. We may one day actually create true hyper velocity ammunition which is in excess of 5,000 fps. This ammunition, while impressive, doesn’t even approach that velocity.

An additional point is that the current developmental ammo (M855A1A+) is tightly controlled and not available outside of this program. I fully expect the ammunition to change over time, as they continue to dial-in its performance. That means, anyone outside of the program is producing their own ammunition. There is currently NO commercially available high pressure ammunition.

While I fully believe that high-pressure ammunition is the future, it faces a serious commercial challenge.

The Sporting Arms Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute sets industry standards for ammunition. When a new ammunition is proposed, SAAMI certifies both the cartridge and chamber. This is because the camber must be capable of safely firing the ammunition it is associated with.

Most companies in industry will be reticent to offer new ammunition which has not been built to a chamber spec. In this case, .223 for commercial sales. For years we’ve heard about the “dangers” of firing military-grade 5.56mm NATO ammunition in .223 chambers. Consequently, many commercial carbines use barrels chambers for 223 Wylde instead. However, those concerns are laughable compared to the pressures we are seeing with high pressure ammo.

Considering what happens to 300 BLK ammunition fired in .223 carbines, fear mongering will assuredly ensue in firearms social media once commercial high pressure ammunition is introduced.

We are likely stuck in a chicken-or-the-egg cycle, at least in the near-term as ammunition companies weigh whether or not it is worth loading ammunition for firearms that don’t yet exist in great numbers. This is the same thing that happens every time a new caliber is introduced.

The future is high pressure but I believe the military will lead the way in its adoption.

Eric Graves

Founder, SSD

Photo by K. Kassens

United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School

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Posted in Ammo, SOF, weapons | No Comments »

Qualcomm Government Technologies and OKSI Announce Collaboration to Deploy OMNISCIENCE Autonomy Software Portfolio

October 8th, 2026

Partnership brings AI/ML-enabled autonomous capabilities to defense platforms, optimized for the Qualcomm® QCS8550 and scalable across Qualcomm’s IoT processor portfolio

LOS ANGELES — OKSI and Qualcomm Government Technologies, Inc. (QGOV), a division of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., today announced a collaboration to deploy OKSI’s OMNISCIENCETM autonomy software portfolio on Qualcomm technologies. OMNISCIENCE delivers AI/ML-enabled capabilities through computer vision — including visual navigation, object detection and recognition, mission execution and more — purpose-built to bring autonomy to unmanned platforms operating in complex, communications-constrained environments. The software portfolio has been optimized for the Qualcomm® QCS8550 processor and is designed to scale across Qualcomm Technologies’ broader IoT processor portfolio, providing platform developers and defense system integrators with a flexible, production-ready path to deploying edge AI capabilities at scale. The collaboration will be showcased at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting 2026, taking place Oct. 12-14 in Washington, D.C.?

OKSI’s OMNISCIENCE is offered as either individual containerized capabilities or tightly coupled, interoperable modules providing next-level autonomy and adaptability to virtually any air platform. Users can operate truly autonomous missions. Qualcomm technologies deliver the on-device AI inference, computer vision processing and advanced image signal processor (ISP) capabilities that OMNISCIENCE relies on for real-time autonomous decision-making at the edge.

“With OMNISCIENCE on the Qualcomm QCS8550 processor, autonomy stops being a multiyear development program and becomes a design-in decision,” said Chris HolmesParker, CEO, OKSI. “Platform developers can source at volume against manufacturing infrastructure that already exists. They will be equipped to upgrade autonomy across a fielded fleet or stand up an entirely new product line from the same proven portfolio, moving at the speed of a software release and the scale of a production supply chain.”

The Qualcomm QCS8550 processor’s heterogeneous compute architecture supports dynamic performance and power scaling, enabling optimized size, weight and power (SWaP) profiles suited to space- and energy-constrained deployments. Platform providers leveraging Qualcomm processors with OMNISCIENCE benefit from an open Ubuntu Linux-based software environment with access to Qualcomm acceleration technologies and compatibility with widely used open-source AI and computer vision frameworks — reducing integration complexity and accelerating time to deployment. Together, OKSI and Qualcomm Technologies are enabling a new class of edge-intelligent autonomous platforms designed for reliable performance in the most demanding environments.

“The industry is entering a new era in which intelligent systems do more than respond — they understand context, make decisions and take action,” said Kim Koro, Senior Vice President, Qualcomm Government Technologies, Inc. “Making that vision real requires an ecosystem, efficient edge compute and platforms that can scale across devices and missions. Together with OKSI, Qualcomm Technologies is helping move autonomy beyond demonstrations and toward deployable, mission-ready capabilities that can operate across connected fleets and demanding environments.”

Posted in Advertiser, AI / ML, AUSA, Industry, Press Release | No Comments »

Plasan and Asfir 4X4 to Unveil Stormer: A Light Tactical Special Operations Vehicle (SOV)

October 8th, 2026

Designed to rapidly deploy up to 12 personnel with mission-configurable capability

AUSA | Washington, D.C. | September 12-14, 2026 | Booth #2407

Oct 7th, 2026, Plasan and ASFIR 4X4 will unveil the new STORMER, a highly modular light tactical vehicle designed to meet the evolving requirements of special operations forces, reconnaissance units, rapid-response teams, and other missions where mobility, payload capacity, rapid deployment, and operational flexibility are critical.

Modern military and special operations forces increasingly require a vehicle capable of rapidly transporting larger teams, mission equipment, and casualties across challenging terrain while remaining easy to deploy, maintain, and sustain.

To address this need, Plasan and ASFIR 4X4 developed STORMER, a versatile tactical platform that combines the logistical simplicity of a commercial vehicle with the capability and flexibility required for demanding military operations.

Designed to carry up to 12 personnel and more than 1,000 kg (2,200 lb.) of payload, STORMER combines a proven commercial vehicle platform with a reinforced chassis and driveline, high off-road mobility, and a highly configurable mission architecture. Designed for airborne transport and rapid deployment, the vehicle enables forces to move personnel and mission equipment across demanding terrain.

At the heart of STORMER is a rugged Jeep® Gladiator-based commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platform, enhanced through Plasan’s automotive engineering expertise. The vehicle is powered by a 280-horsepower, 3.6-liter gasoline engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing the power and drivability required for demanding operational environments.

The vehicle’s reinforced chassis and driveline, including upgraded Dana axles, are designed to support increased payload and durability while maintaining the mobility expected of a tactical vehicle. A modular roll-over protection system (ROPS) provides enhanced occupant protection while supporting 360-degree visibility and situational awareness.

STORMER is designed to adapt rapidly to changing mission requirements. Its configurable rear platform can support troop transport, logistics, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), weapons, and specialized mission equipment, including radar, counter-UAS solutions, communications systems, and an electric winch. A three-position folding rear door enables rapid troop ingress and egress, secure transport of mission equipment, and a stretcher configuration for casualty evacuation.

The vehicle also incorporates a 24-volt electrical system, blackout driving capability, a communications console, and multiple antenna mounting points, supporting the integration of customer-specific mission systems. The extensive use of commercially available components is intended to simplify maintenance, logistics, and long-term sustainment.

STORMER builds on Plasan’s more than 40 years of experience in survivability, vehicle protection, and automotive engineering, as well as its proven track record with the SandCat family, which is in service across five continents. Developed in collaboration with ASFIR 4X4, STORMER combines Plasan’s defense engineering and survivability expertise with ASFIR 4X4’s extensive experience in off-road vehicle systems and components.

“STORMER was developed to address a growing operational requirement for a rapidly deployable platform capable of carrying larger teams and mission equipment without compromising mobility. By combining a proven commercial platform with Plasan’s engineering expertise, we created a highly adaptable vehicle that can be configured for multiple missions while remaining simple to operate, maintain, and sustain.”

Moshe Elazar, CEO, Plasan

“Our collaboration with Plasan enabled us to transform a proven commercial 4×4 platform into a practical and highly capable tactical solution. STORMER delivers the mobility, flexibility, and robustness required by demanding users while maintaining the reliability and supportability of a commercial vehicle platform.”

Tzachi Oz, CEO, ASFIR 4X4

Posted in AUSA, International, Mobility, Press Release, SOF | 1 Comment »

US Army Releases ‘How the Army Fights’ Operational Warfighting Guidance

October 8th, 2026

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army today released How the Army Fights, new operational warfighting guidance that provides a common framework for translating tactical success into campaign-level advantage for the Joint Force.

Developed by the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, How the Army Fights builds on the Army’s multidomain operations doctrine by explaining how the force employs land power at the operational level of war. The guidance aligns how the Army organizes, trains, equips and sustains its formations for contested, high-intensity conflict.

“The challenge is on us as the leaders of the Army to make the decisions that are needed for the Army today,” said Acting Secretary of the Army Adam Telle. “This guidance provides a clear framework for focusing the Army’s efforts and ensuring the force is prepared to fight and win.”

The framework organizes Army land power through four interdependent operational elements:

Convergence creates and exploits positions of advantage by synchronizing effects across domains.

Strike degrades and destroys enemy systems through lethal and nonlethal fires at range.

Close Battle closes with and defeats enemy forces, seizes key terrain and consolidates gains.

Endurance postures, protects and projects combat power across time, distance and contested conditions.

Together, these elements enable operational maneuver and connect battlefield actions to campaign outcomes. Convergence and Endurance establish the conditions for success, while Strike and Close Battle deliver decisive effects.

How the Army Fights reinforces that the Army must maintain its technological edge while recognizing that war remains a human endeavor. The guidance addresses the integration of advanced capabilities, including uncrewed systems, artificial intelligence-enabled tools, resilient networks and precision fires, while underscoring the enduring importance of Soldier judgment, discipline and leadership.

“Technology will extend our reach and strengthen our combat power, but war remains a human contest of wills,” said Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve. “Our Soldiers remain our decisive advantage.”

The guidance directs the Army to prioritize operational readiness for the pacing threat, defend the homeland as a strategic base for power projection, and strengthen posture, interoperability and resilience with allies and partners. It also recognizes the need to sustain combat power across vast distances and under persistent adversary pressure.

How the Army Fights is unclassified and available for public download on Army.mil.

By U.S. Army Public Affairs

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | No Comments »

NIOA Welcomes Sovereign Defence Ambition

October 7th, 2026

7 OCTOBER 2026

NIOA Group Managing Director and CEO Rob Nioa has welcomed NIOA’s selection as a prospective anchor tenant for Western Australia’s proposed defence and advanced-manufacturing hub.

Western Australia Premier and Defence Industries Minister Roger Cook and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Industries Amber-Jade Sanderson today announced that five businesses are progressing Memorandums of Understanding with the WA State Government to become prospective anchor tenants of the Western Defence Forge (WDF). First proponents identified for Western Defence Forge | Western Australian Government

The announcement was made during the Land Forces International Defence Exposition at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre where Australian-owned NIOA is among around 1000 exhibitors from 31 countries.

Mr Nioa said NIOA was proud to support the WA Government in its ambition to strengthen sovereign capability.

“Australia has the foundations, capability and expertise needed to support a world-class sovereign defence industry,” he said.

“The opportunity now is to build on that strength through continued government investment and support, growing capacity, creating skilled jobs and securing critical defence capabilities for the future.

“As an Australian-owned company, NIOA has invested in sovereign munitions capability for decades and we see the WDF as an opportunity to build on that experience in partnership with the WA Government, Defence and industry.

“We look forward to working with government, industry and partners as we continue to develop important sovereign capability initiatives, supporting Australian industry and Australian jobs.”

Posted in Industry, International, Land Forces, Press Release | No Comments »

DEFCON Advance Development Projects Presents a Capsule Event with Salomon Forces Division

October 7th, 2026

DEFCON Advance Development Projects has announced a collaboration with Salomon Forces.

We got a preview at this week’s SHOP Show near Fort Bragg. The XA PRO MID GTX DEFCON features MultiCam Black and several DEFCON design cues. We can’t wait for you to get yours and discover them.

DEFCON’s latest capsule marks a couple of firsts:

This is the first time DEFCON has worked with Salomon Forces
This is the first time Salomon Forces has worked with another brand
This is the first time Salomon Forces has used MultiCam

The capsule is releasing at a popup store in VB simultaneously online at defcongroup.com and tacticaldistributors.com

Attend the event in person:

DEFCON FORWARD OPERATIONS BASE
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
SATURDAY, OCT 10TH

(address to be announced on socials stay tuned for location and times)

Posted in Advertiser, Boots | No Comments »

Rheinmetall and Praetorian Aeronautics Deliver Containerised AERIE Counter-Uncrewed Aircraft System

October 7th, 2026

Rheinmetall, as a global integrated technology group with specialist air defence capabilities, has partnered with Australian company Praetorian Aeronautics to deliver AERIE; Autonomous-Engagement-Rapid-Interceptor-Effector – a containerised Counter-Uncrewed Aircraft System (C-UAS).

The Australian collaborative research and development partnership has delivered a prototype from concept within 12 months and signals Rheinmetall’s and Praetorian Aeronautics’ shared commitment to rapid advanced development to meet today’s evolving challenges.

The AERIE containerised air defence solution is an interceptor agnostic self-sustained, containerised deployable C-UAS launcher. It has the ability to house 20+ interceptors and is highly mobile, packing in to a 20ft ISO shipping container.

The demonstrator features Praetorian Aeronatics’ Arrow Interceptor and Hadrian Command and Control (C2); designed and developed in Australia.

Arrow Interceptor is an autonomous, high speed, low cost interceptor for kinetic neutralisation of multiple UxS threat-types beyond visual range. Hadrian C2 is an advanced AI-enhanced system for management of autonomous effectors across air, land and maritime domains.

Able to be rapidly deployed and reloaded, AERIE offers a containerised, low-cost and effective solution to counter the threat posed by the increasing availability of low-cost uncrewed drones and aerial systems.

Speaking of the partnership, Nathan Poyner, Managing Director Rheinmetall Defence Australia highlighted the company’s global support of Australian sovereign capability.

“Rheinmetall has a long and proud history of transferring technology and forging alliances with partners around the world. Our work with Praetorian Aeronatics continues this focus and has delivered a working concept of advanced C-UAS using Australian ingenuity with global air defence engineering and manufacturing know-how” said Mr Poyner.

Praetorian Aeronautics’ CEO, Mr Brett Hill spoke of the pioneering Australian organisation’s growth and global partnerships.

“Praetorian Aeronatics has been developing cutting edge systems for more than three years. Our partnership with Rheinmetall brings together our unique AI-enhanced C2 system and Arrow Interceptor with Rheinmetall’s engineering systems and production capability.

“Together, we have delivered an Australian air defence solution for emerging global threats” said Mr Hill.

The AERIE system is scheduled to move to full operator demonstrations in Q4 2026.

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

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