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Archive for June, 2026

Air Force Forges Decision Advantage Through Logistics C2 Hackathon

Thursday, 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

Wednesday, 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

Wednesday, 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

Wednesday, 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

Wednesday, 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 »

D&M Holding Company Acquires Czech-Based EKOCHEM 94 s.r.o.

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026

TAMPA, FL (June 3, 2026) – D&M Holding Company, Inc. (D&M), the global leader in delivering complete solutions for ammunition, primer, and propellant manufacturing facilities, has acquired EKOCHEM 94 s.r.o. of the Czech Republic. This acquisition further strengthens D&M’s capabilities as the company continues to support the United States, NATO allies, Ukraine, and other friendly foreign governments seeking long-term ammunition independence.

Headquartered in Pardubice, Czech Republic, EKOCHEM 94 is an engineering, design, and industrial project company specializing in chemical, mechanical, and process industries, including for propellants and propellant raw materials. Its specialties include:

nitrocellulose production equipment
propellant production equipment
design of complete energetics
distillation systems
combustible cartridge case production lines
diethyl ether production lines
explosive-material processing equipment

“The acquisition of EKOCHEM 94 is a key part of our aggressive global growth strategy as we extend our footprint in Europe and beyond,” said Dan Powers, President and CEO, D&M Holding Company. “Escalating global conflicts and supply chain issues are driving the soaring demand for reliable supplies of ammunition, primers, and propellants. This geopolitical instability has created deep urgency among nations for ammunition independence. They want to manufacture it themselves, and we are uniquely positioned to help them do that.”

“We are pleased to become a part of the D&M family and look forward to expanding our capabilities,” said Boris Fukatko, founder and President of EKOCHEM 94.

As friendly nations race to achieve their defense industrialization goals, D&M is increasingly sought after as a trusted, specialized design, engineering, and manufacturing partner. D&M not only manufactures the machinery and systems needed to build ammunition; the company also trains its clients and transfers the technical knowledge required to operate facilities independently.

About D&M Holding Company

D&M Holding Company, Inc. (D&M) is an ammunition and energetics engineering company headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with additional operations in Cabot, Arkansas. D&M specializes in the design and manufacture of ammunition and energetics equipment, as well as in the turnkey factory solutions for customers worldwide. D&M Holding International Sp. z o.o. in Warsaw, Poland is D&M’s European sales office which supports international sales and Ukraine projects. D&M Novatrax, LLC, based in Kyiv, Ukraine is an engineering and investment company dedicated to the Ukraine defense industry. White River Energetics, LLC (WRE) is a wholly owned subsidiary of D&M, located in Des Arc, Arkansas, with the objective of manufacturing energetics for the ammunition industry.

For more information visit D&M Holding Company and White River Energetics.

Posted in Ammo, Industry, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Battelle Supports the Development and Test of the US Army’s New Hand Grenade

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026

COLUMBUS, Ohio (May 27, 2026) – Battelle recently partnered with the U.S. Army Close Combat Systems Program Office to support the Full Material Release (FMR) of the new M111 Offensive Hand Grenade (OHG), the first new offensive hand grenade since 1968.

The M111 was developed over many years of close collaboration between the Army and Battelle to ensure a safe, high-quality, and repeatable manufacturing process. Battelle supported various stages of the development, starting with an initial concept, completing Process Verification Testing (PVT) and executing FMR by prototyping nearly 7,000 grenades and conducting first article and lot acceptance tests.

Battelle and the Army worked closely together over multiple years to refine the technical processes required to improve the grenades’ safety and performance for the warfighter. This new system provides soldiers with a safer alternative to the M67 fragmenting grenade by utilizing a blast over pressure effect, removing fragmenting effects and providing an alternative to better achieve mission success with less risk for fratricide.

“Battelle’s support to the M111 program has enabled the Army to qualify and transition the M111 to full-rate production,” said Sam Knutson, Division Manager forAdvanced Materials and Energetics. “With our unique position as a trusted development partner, we were able to ensure the government is now positioned to meet current and future production needs.”

“Through our work with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armament Center (DEVCOM AC) and customers across the military, Battelle is focused on rapidly advancing innovative solutions that directly benefit the warfighter,” said Dan Pikora, General Manager of Battelle’s National Security Business. “We are excited to continue collaborating with DEVCOM AC to deliver technologies that support mission success.”

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

Blast From The Past – What Kind of Leader Are You?

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026

We’ve published this leadership model a few times. The first time was in 2012 and It’s still worthy of debate today.

In the mid-1800s a Prussian Field Marshal named Helmuth Karl Bernhard Graf von Moltke developed a means to evaluate his officers.

Smart & Lazy – I make them my Commanders because they make the right thing happen but find the easiest way to accomplish the mission.
Smart & Energetic – I make them my General Staff Officers because they make intelligent plans that make the right things happen.
Dumb & Lazy – There are menial tasks that require an officer to perform that they can accomplish and they follow orders without causing much harm.
Dumb & Energetic – These are dangerous and must be eliminated. They cause things to happen but the wrong things so cause trouble.

I’ve also seen this attributed to various German Army leaders beginning in the inter-war years and seems to convey prevailing thinking. It boils leadership down into its simplest form and measures the leader on two axes. Intelligence (competence) and industriousness or lack thereof.

As Chief of the Army High Command, the Anti-Nazi Gen Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord oversaw the composition of the German manual on military unit command (Truppenführung), dated 17 October 1933. In it, he proposed a classification scheme for military leaders.

‘I divide my officers into four groups. There are clever, diligent, stupid, and lazy officers. Usually two characteristics are combined. Some are clever and diligent — their place is the General Staff. The next lot are stupid and lazy — they make up 90 percent of every army and are suited to routine duties. Anyone who is both clever and lazy is qualified for the highest leadership duties, because he possesses the intellectual clarity and the composure necessary for difficult decisions. One must beware of anyone who is stupid and diligent — he must not be entrusted with any responsibility because he will always cause only mischief.’

Remember, in the German model, the most promising go to the General Staff for grooming. In the American model, the best and brightest take command. Considering that, do you think it’s still a viable model?

Posted in Profession of Arms | 1 Comment »