May 2026 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for May, 2026

Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS and PrSM Selected for the Australian Army’s LAND 8113 Phase 2 solution for a Second Long-Range Fires Regiment

Monday, May 4th, 2026

Australian High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) fires Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) (Credit: Australian Department of Defence)

CANBERRA, 2 May 2026 – Lockheed Martin Australia welcomed the Australian Government’s decision to select the company’s capabilities for the Australian Army’s Project LAND 8113 Phase 2.

Lockheed Martin Australia will supply an additional tranche of High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers equipped with Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), delivering an unmatched anti-access/area denial capability to the Australian Defence Force.

“Our HIMARS-PrSM offering is the right fit for the modern war fighter and meets the Army’s requirements for capability, performance, range and offers interoperability benefits of common training, common operations, and common software through Common Fire Control Systems,” said Jeremy King, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand.

“We are proud to deliver our HIMARS and PrSM capability for the Australian Army’s Second Long Range Fires Regiment,” King said.

The decision fully leverages the Australian Government’s previous investment in 42 HIMARS and commitment to the PrSM program—supporting the system until at least 2050.

The combination of HIMARS and PrSM provides a proven, scalable and rapidly deployable system that will provide unmatched long-range strike and deterrence options for Australia

Equipping a Second Long?Range Fires Regiment with PrSM will provide a decisive edge, enabling land forces to conduct long?range Land Based Maritime Strikes in close coordination with Australia’s key security partners.

The Lockheed Martin HIMARS launcher, which the Australian Army has fielded since 2025, has an outstanding record of combat-proven reliability. HIMARS improves response times and meets mission-critical needs with leap-ahead technology.

More than 750 HIMARS are fielded worldwide, with more than two million operating hours. They can fire a suite of next-generation munitions including Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), Extended-Range GMLRS and PrSM.

James Heading, Director and General Manager of Missiles and Fire Control, Lockheed Martin Australia, said, “PrSM will provide the Australian Army with a credible, Land-Based Maritime Strike capability that far exceeds the range of alternative systems. It will enable the Army to hold maritime targets at risk, at extended ranges exceeding 400 kilometres.”

With the nation’s long?range fires capability expanding, sustaining operational readiness, resilience and value for money have become top priorities. Lockheed?Martin Australia is evaluating options to deliver long?term support. The company is exploring sustainment opportunities with Rheinmetall Defence Australia, which will generate opportunities for Australian Small to Medium-sized Enterprises and create local jobs.

Posted in Contracts, Fires, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Tenicor Announces the Launch of CERTUM4 and CERTUM LUX4

Monday, May 4th, 2026

Idaho, USA – Tenicor is proud to release the CERTUM4 and CERTUM LUX4, the next evolution of their most versatile holster, enabling the professionally-minded user to carry hip or appendix.

The new CERTUM holster combines innovation and functionality, offering updates such as:

• Utilizing DCC Mod 4 Universal high level retention gear clip

• Expanded carry height and cant: nearly 1″ of height adjustments plus cant adjustment from -5° to +20°

• Third clip position: an added sight channel position providingan ergonomic design, lowering the profile for both the gun and belt.

• Three camming bar options: low, medium and high camming bars come standard with every holster and adjustable for ride height.

• Proprietary hardware: no-spin, double-post hardware for easy and reliable assembly.

• Proudly made in America.

• Allows both IWB hip or AIWB appendix carry.

• The CERTUM LUX4 is designed for guns with weapon-mounted lights, reducing the gun’s profile to ensure effortless concealment and all-day comfort.

Pricing
The retail price for either the CERTUM4 or CERTUM LUX4 is $125 (USD).

Expanded Compatibility
The CERTUM4 will replace all existing CERTUM3 holsters. CERTUM LUX4 will replace all existing CERTUM LUX2 and CERTUM SOL holsters.

Launch Timeline
The CERTUM4 and CERTUM LUX4 are available starting May 4, 2026 with support for Glock, Springfield Armory, Staccato, SIG SAUER, Walther, Smith & Wesson, and H&K platforms. See the announcement video HERE highlighting the new features. Various comparison videos are also available of the CERTUM4 vs CERTUM3 HERE, CERTUM LUX2 vs CERTUM LUX4 HERE, and the CERTUM4 vs VELO5 HERE.

Posted in Holsters, Press Release | No Comments »

Creare – Blast Overpressure Protection Helmet

Monday, May 4th, 2026

Creare manufactures the HGU-99/P Hearing Protection Helmet for US Navy ground crews working with the F-35 Lightning II. It more resembles a flight helmet than previous flight deck helmets and is engineered for high noise environments, offering a 34 decibel reduction in noise when worn alone and 39 db when worn with foam earplugs.

At Modern Day Marine they displayed a new helmet based on the HGU99/P optimized to protect personnel from blast over pressure associated with weapon firing.

Measurements reveal that while wearing a US Army issue Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) Helmet the wearer is afforded a 15% reduction in blast overpressure. The Blast Overpressure Protection Helmet offers a 71% reduction. It is to believe once you’ve worn one. It fits very snugly over the ears as well as creating a seal around the edge of the face.

It is also fitted with directional hearing augmentation as well as comms compatible microphone.

For more information contact info@edare.com.

Posted in Comms, Helmets, MDM | No Comments »

Please Help The Sterling Promise Foundation Detect Colon Cancer In Our Veterans

Monday, May 4th, 2026

Scott Sterling served his country with honor and distinction in the U.S. Army Special Operations community. His loyalty and commitment to his fellow soldiers continued long after his service. Unfortunately, he was taken from us in the prime of his life due to colon cancer.

The Sterling Promise Foundation is committed to continuing his promise to support our nation’s soldiers and veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country. Scott’s fierce and relentless fight with colorectal cancer is the genesis for our mission to improve the health and wellness for veterans.

The Sterling Promise Foundation (SPF) is expanding its visibility in 2026, and there are some exciting updates to share regarding SOF Week.

If you’re at SOF Week, please join them for their annual fundraiser:

Tuesday, May 19th

1630 – 1900

Westin Tampa Downtown Waterside

Additionally, SPF will be exhibiting in the Community Corridor at Booth #3600. In support of their mission to drive early detection and proactive health awareness, they will host on-site blood screenings in partnership with Guardant Health.

Learn more here.

Posted in Medical, Nonprofit, SOF, SOF Week, Veterans | No Comments »

SOF SELECT 2026 – New Venue, Even More Great Brands

Monday, May 4th, 2026

For 2026 SOF Select continues to be affiliated with SOF Week in Tampa, Florida, May 18-21. This year, SOF Select has moved to a new location, just north of the Tampa Convention Center.

The event is located in the Hilton Tampa Downtown, a short walk from the Convention Center with exhibits open Tuesday and Wednesday (19-20 May).

This year you’ll have access to the latest gear from 45 of the hottest brands including:

ACTinBlack

Arc’teryx PRO

Avon Protection

Barrett Firearms

Benchmade Knife Company

Blue Force Gear

DRIFIRE

Eagle Industries

Fast Metal

FirstSpear

Forgeline Solutions

G-FORM

Haley Strategic Partners

Hefring Marine

HUXWRX

LALO

Leica

MASSI

MATBOCK

Mechanix Wear

Mission First Tactical

MSRS

MYSTERY RANCH

OTB Boots

Otis Technology

Outdoor Research

Pelican

PLATATAC Australia

Princeton Tec

Q-Collar Brainpro

Reptilia

Revision Military

S&S Precision

SALOMON

Shaw Concepts

SOFware

Spiritus Systems

Strategic Sciences

Team Wendy

Tomahawk Performance

UNITY Tactical

Velocity Systems

Watershed

XOVERLAND Ranch

Zulu Origin

Stay tuned for more details.

See you there!

Posted in SOF Select | No Comments »

BFG Monday: Have VELCRO MOLLE Fasteners Survived Combat Use?

Monday, May 4th, 2026

Military personnel have all seen the same thing with traditional MOLLE snaps, they fail when you need them most.

Steel snaps rust shut, seize up, or shear off entirely. And once they fail, there’s no fixing them in the field. Moisture, sweat, humidity, and time all work against metal hardware, turning a simple closure into a liability.

Studies on the corrosive nature of steel especially in high-moisture environments reinforce what warfighters already know: these closures are a known failure point and are not suited for sustained combat use.

Helium Whisper was engineered to eliminate that problem.

In place of metal snaps, Blue Force Gear (“BFG”) developed a hook-and-loop VELCRO® tuck tab system that is quieter, more secure, and immune to the failures that plague traditional hardware.

The industry’s leading IFAK Kit / Trauma Kit showing the advanced Helium Whisper MOLLE pouch attachment system.

The tabs tuck cleanly underneath the pouch backer, creating a low-profile attachment with no exposed hardware to snag, corrode, or break.

Field repairability was also a deliberate feature. While it’s unlikely a hook-and-loop tab would come unstitched, if it does, it can be repaired without tools. A failed metal snap offers no such option downrange.

After nearly twenty years of combat and field use, Helium Whisper has proven what every warfighter understands: gear that doesn’t absorb water, doesn’t corrode, and doesn’t fail keeps you faster, safer, and more effective.

As the focus on weight reduction continues, the Helium Whisper system stands as a lightweight solution that delivers both durability and reliability for those who rely on it most.

To learn more about how your unit can increase lethality and survivability and drastically reduce load carriage weight by upgrading to Helium Whisper, contact the Blue Force Gear Military Department or visit BlueForceGear.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Materials | No Comments »

Balikatan 2026: 5th Battalion, 3rd Artillery Regiment, 7th Infantry Division Conducts HIRAIN Live-Fire Iteration

Monday, May 4th, 2026

PALAWAN, Philippines– Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 3rd Artillery Regiment, 7th Infantry Division (Multi-Domain Command-Pacific) conducted a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System live-fire iteration on April 27, 2026, in Palawan, Philippines. Conducted in coordination with U.S. Marines, Philippine marines and Australian soldiers, this event was part of a counter landing live fire exercise designed to repel a simulated enemy landing force across multipleranges, from deep-water approaches to shallow littorals, in defense of the island. The HIMARS maneuvered onto the beach from a concealed position and launched four Reduced Range Practice Rockets, effectively demonstrating the system’s mobility and precision. Thepractice and preparation by Alpha battery soldiers resulted in an exceptionally fluid and rapidly executed fire mission.

“Today what we demonstrated was the absolute power that the land component brings to the fightin the pacific.” Said Lt. Col. Alexander Mullin, commander of the 5th Battalion, 3rd ArtilleryRegiment. ”Huge gains were made with the interoperability between the nations’ forces, communication and coordination of multiple fires were on full display during the exercise.” Mullin stated, “through being here we are demonstrating the cross-domain contact layer concept, which is our ability to provide a covering force in the pacific and achieve decisive effects.” The Cross-Domain Contact Layer is not merely a system or standalone capability; rather, it serves as a framework for synchronizing legacy, exquisite and emerging capabilities. It integrates sensing,effects, and artificial intelligence-enabled command and control into a persistent, all-domain architecture that maintains continuous contact from the operational deep area to the close fight.

Positioning HIMARS for these exercises is a formidable logistical undertaking. Meticulous attention is required to adhere to host nation regulations during road movements, necessitatingacute situational awareness of local infrastructure, including small bridges and low-hanging power lines. Upon departing paved routes, the HIMARS navigates unforgiving jungle environments, mountainous terrain, and sandy littoral zones. Throughout this process, all logistics are closely coordinated in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“All the live fires that we have done could not have been done without the support of the Philippine marines and the Philippine Army as we make our movements across the country,” said 1st Sgt. Shawn Washburn, Alpha Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Artillery Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.

The environment challenges soldiers to operate beyond their comfort zones of typical home station training, acclimating them to the rigorous conditions they may encounter in future conflicts. Furthermore, the tropical climate provides invaluable opportunities for personnel to adapt and endure weather challenges while sustaining operations in an austere environment and maintaining physical readiness.

Story by SSG Brandon Rickert

7th Infantry Division

Posted in Army, Fires, Guest Post | No Comments »

Elite Army Engineers Leverage ENFIRE at Best Sapper Competition

Sunday, May 3rd, 2026

The annual Best Sapper Competition gathers the U.S. Army’s elite engineers to compete in tests of skill, endurance, and creativity in leveraging advanced technologies.

That’s why the Army’s ENFIRE reconnaissance system played a role in this year’s competition held at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., from April 20 to 23.

Cory Baron, who manages Product Director Combat Terrain Information Systems (PD CTIS) which fields ENFIRE, explained why the system was included in the competition for the third year in a row.

“Being invited to participate in the Best Sapper competition is an incredible honor,” said Baron. “To be asked to come back again and again is a testament to the work the team has done to advance these capabilities and continue to shape the future of the program.”

The Instrument Set, Reconnaissance and Surveying (Common name: ENFIRE) supports Soldiers by expediting deliberate route, area and zone reconnaissance, route clearance, hazard identification, inventory, and construction management efforts through the integration of digital tools into a single platform.

The Best Sapper Competition began in 2005 and is hosted by the U.S. Army Engineer School. Competition officials say Best Sapper not only proves the best engineering team but aims to “challenge and test the service members’ knowledge, physical prowess and mental fortitude.”

Ahead of the competition, PD CTIS engineers planned the ENFIRE lane, which recons would be conducted, and how to best utilize system software and hardware. The team then participates in a full dress rehearsal to ensure ENFIRE competition parameters are feasible and responds to questions from senior leadership. PD CTIS does not play a role in evaluating competitors but remains on site throughout the event for technical support if needed.

PD CTIS leverages events like the Best Sapper Competition to evaluate capabilities in a high paced and highly dynamic environment, putting ENFIRE through its paces in unprecedented ways.

“Supporting and observing in real-time, our systems being used to answer complex engineer challenges, is an incredible opportunity to receive critical feedback that help us in the program office shape future iterations of the tools to maximize utility of system,” Baron said.

ENFIRE demonstrated ease of use for the engineers with almost no training provided by PD CTIS staff. Competitors tested new ENFIRE and ENFIRE Dismounted functionality at a strenuous level, proving reliability in a high-pressure environment.

While the competition provided engineers an opportunity to prove their skills on ENFIRE it also provided PD CTIS an opportunity to improve the system, currently in its 12th iteration. During the competition the team identified minor software issues that will be addressed with planned fieldings in 2027 and 2028.

“The insights the team receive through facilitating and observing competitors is priceless,” Baron said. “Observing the system function in an extreme environment to support engineer mission tasks at speed is a critical factor in the evolution of the kit as we continuously modernize these capabilities.”

By M. Scott Bortot

Posted in Army, Guest Post | No Comments »