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Archive for September, 2026

Xtremis Wins Defense Innovation Unit’s Spectrum Strike Prize Challenge

Wednesday, September 16th, 2026

WEST FORK, Ark., Sept. 15, 2026 — Xtremis announced that its spectrumOS platform was selected as the winner of the Spectrum Strike Prize Challenge, a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) competition to modernize how the U.S. military plans, coordinates, and authorizes use of the electromagnetic spectrum – the frequencies allocated for activities like wireless communications and radar.

Xtremis was selected from 43 respondents after a multistage evaluation culminating in a live, hands-on demonstration at Fort Carson, Colorado. Government spectrum managers used spectrumOS to process operational data, model the radio-frequency environment, identify potential conflicts, and prepare spectrum authorization requests for review.

Project Spectrum Strike addresses a longstanding operational challenge: military spectrum authorizations can take 75 to 180 days and still rely heavily on manual processes and disconnected systems. Those timelines are increasingly strained by the rapid decision-making demands of modern warfare. DIU challenged participants to demonstrate an enterprise approach that could adapt to dynamic electromagnetic environments and sharply reduce planning and coordination time through automation.

“Today, the electromagnetic spectrum is a decisive maneuver space. Almost every aspect of modern warfare relies on effective, efficient navigation of this invisible environment, but the processes used to manage that access have not kept pace with wireless demand,” said Adam Jay Harrison, CEO of Xtremis. “What made Project Spectrum Strike particularly meaningful was putting spectrumOS directly in the hands of the people responsible for these decisions. Spectrum managers and electronic warfare personnel used the platform against an operationally relevant problem and saw what it could do. We are proud of the result and the team that built it.”

spectrumOS is Xtremis’ spectrum management and orchestration platform, helping military decision-makers see, understand, plan, and act with unprecedented speed and accuracy in complex electromagnetic environments. It combines agentic artificial intelligence, software automation, physics-based radio-frequency modeling, and real-time sensor data to accelerate time-intensive data processing, modeling, and coordination while preserving human authority over consequential spectrum decisions. This enables faster action without sacrificing the judgment and oversight complex operations require.

Xtremis’ Spectrum Strike solution builds on the company’s established spectrum warfare work across the Department of War. The Advanced Dynamic Spectrum Reconnaissance (ADSR) system, a distributed electromagnetic spectrum situational awareness capability developed by Xtremis, has operated continuously with U.S. military and allied units since 2023. The Spectrum Strike selection follows other recent Department of War milestones, including selection for the Advanced Spectrum Coexistence (ASC) program and participation in the Army’s Project Convergence Capstone 6 (PCC6) experiment. Together, these efforts expand Xtremis’ role from persistent awareness and operational ground truth to spectrum planning, coexistence, and orchestration.

The Spectrum Strike result positions Xtremis in a large and growing mission area. A June 2026 GAO report found that the Department of War – the largest federal spectrum user by total frequency assignments – faces rising demand as it escalates deployments of spectrum-intensive systems. This demand will only increase as competition over spectrum access in modern conflict environments like Ukraine intensifies.

The commercial telecommunications and wireless industry faces a parallel constraint: wireless demand continues to grow while usable spectrum remains finite. U.S. wireless data consumption reached a record 132.5 trillion megabytes in 2025 after growing roughly 35 percent annually over the previous three years. Xtremis’ dual-use technology can provide the observation, verification, and assurance needed to reduce interference and support more intensive, authorized spectrum sharing. That capability can strengthen military spectrum advantage, help telecommunications providers expand capacity across 5G, emerging 6G, and other wireless services, and position Xtremis for substantial growth in defense and commercial markets.

Garmin Acquires Applied Ballistics, a Leading Provider of Research and Technology for Long-Range Shooting

Wednesday, September 16th, 2026

Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN) has acquired Applied Ballistics, a leading provider of ballistic research, projectile data and integrated solver technologies dedicated to enhancing accuracy. The acquisition extends Garmin’s ability to provide comprehensive solutions for customers across its tactical, shooting sports and hunting markets.

“Applied Ballistics is a natural complement to Garmin’s outdoor and tactical product portfolio. Building on a successful relationship spanning nearly 10 years, this acquisition brings industry-leading software, proprietary projectile data and precision firing solutions in-house. By bringing our teams together, we can accelerate innovation and deliver even more capable, integrated solutions to customers who depend on accuracy.” —Brad Trenkle, Garmin Co-Chief Operating Officer

Applied Ballistics develops professional-grade ballistic solvers and radar-validated projectile models for hunters, competitive shooters and other long-range customers. The company continues to expand its ecosystem of connected products, helping users improve accuracy, better understand their equipment and share trusted ballistic data across devices and applications—providing an unparalleled, science-based approach to long-range shooting.

Headquartered in Howard City, Michigan, the Applied Ballistics portfolio includes the Applied Ballistics Quantum app, a premier ballistic solver and ecosystem management program that enables users to optimize their performance and make informed decisions. Financial terms of the acquisition will not be disclosed.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized the aviation, automotive, fitness, marine and outdoor markets. Dedicated to helping people make the most of the time they spend pursuing their passions, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday.

MA-DOSS Secures Field Exercise in Support of Provost Marshall

Wednesday, September 16th, 2026

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. —

During a live-fire exercise in support of Service Level Training Exercise 4-26 in coordination with the Provost Marshal’s Office Aug. 19, 2026, a new capability quietly demonstrated how the Marine Corps is adapting the rules of expeditionary force protection.

The Mobile All-Domain Observation and Sensing System (MA-DOSS), developed by Program Manager Ground-Based Air Defense (PM GBAD), successfully provided automated, continuous physical security during the event, proving that the cutting-edge system is no longer just a concept—it is now a deployable asset.

The nature of the event required the Marines to make sure that members of the public didn’t infringe onto the area designated for the exercise to prevent any dangers to those members of the public, and to prevent interference with the testing and operations on the installation. The system’s Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) driven automated target recognition quickly proved its worth when the integrated radar and camera capabilities in MA-DOSS allowed the operators to rapidly locate and verify potential ground incursions.

MA-DOSS instantly detected and classified the vehicle at the edge of the alert zone, alerting two Marine operators inside the command post. The operators verified the intrusion on their monitors and immediately relayed the tracking data to range safety personnel, ensuring the live-fire event remained secure without interrupting the training flow.

Historically, securing command posts and ranges during exercises has been a tedious, manpower-intensive task. Units routinely dedicated multiple Marines to manual surveillance using binoculars and radios. MA-DOSS directly fills this critical capability gap in force protection by acting as a mobile, sensor-integrated force multiplier that can track targets across the air, land, and littoral domains simultaneously.

While in operation, the system processes data on site to distinguish between natural clutter and incursions without passing heavy video feeds over tactical networks. By deploying advanced Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), in coordination with the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), MA-DOSS isn’t just detecting threats—it is continuously learning. This rapid feedback loop means the AI models adapt to the battlefield in real time, reducing false alarms and increasing operator trust.

“[AI implementation] is going to help us not just learn what the enemy’s already thrown at us, but learn what new systems may come our way in different ways and how the enemy may employ them,” explained Capt. Griffen Hedrick, PM GBAD’s MA-DOSS project officer. “So it’s not just a giant library of what they’ve done before, but predictions of the future.”

MA-DOSS represents a massive leap forward in mobility compared to the legacy Ground-Based Operational Surveillance System (G-BOSS). While the older G-BOSS towers were highly effective, they were heavy, static, and restricted unit maneuverability. In contrast, MA-DOSS requires only two Marines and just 30 minutes to be fully set up and operational.

Recognizing that static towers are incompatible with the highly mobile, distributed requirements of Force Design, the PM GBAD team took a creative acquisitions approach as opposed to traditional, slow procurement timelines. By partnering with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and utilizing Physical Security Enterprise Analysis Group (PSEAG) funding, the team rapidly developed and fielded two MA-DOSS Medium prototypes currently in use.

The successful integration of MA-DOSS during the field exercise serves as a blueprint for future Marine Corps acquisitions and expeditionary operations. Although the MA-DOSS is not an official program of record, as PM GBAD looks to the future, field user evaluations like this are critical in proving MA-DOSS’s efficiency and contributions to force protection as it continues to support the Provost Marshal.

Ultimately, the system’s greatest success is its ability to give time back to the unit, letting technology handle the tedious weight of guard duty so Marines can focus on the mission.

“In traditional security setups, maintaining that level of persistent, multi-domain awareness forces Marines to spend endless hours fixed to surveillance monitors,” explained Master Sgt. Daniel Sloniker, operations chief, Provost Marshal’s Office. “By automating detection and cueing the cameras directly to the threat, MA-DOSS eliminated screen fatigue and served as a true force multiplier—freeing our trained military policemen from passive observation so they could focus on dynamic patrols and rapid tactical response.”

By Helena Yared | PEO Land Systems

HII to Advance Airdrop Technologies for US Army Soldier Sustainment

Wednesday, September 16th, 2026

MCLEAN, Va., Sept. 15, 2026 — HII’s (NYSE: HII) Mission Technologies division announced today that it was awarded a task order to research improved airdrop and combat feeding techniques to support U.S. Army soldier sustainment.

Under the five-year task order, HII will advance new cargo and personnel airdrop technologies for precision-guided and conventional aerial delivery systems across manned and unmanned aircraft. The effort encompasses improving equipment reliability, safety and interoperability between systems while advancing sensing technologies, autonomous capabilities and cybersecurity protections to mitigate environmental and operational threats.

“Our troops’ safety and mission success depend on their ability to stay supplied and mobile even in the most difficult and austere environments,” said Todd Gentry, president of Mission Technologies’ All-Domain Operations group. “Driven by innovation, our team is uniting cutting-edge research, engineering, and an operator’s mindset to tackle these critical challenges, ensuring our forces are always ready wherever duty calls.”

The task order was awarded under the Information Analysis Center Multiple Award Contract, administered by the Defense Technical Information Center for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center. HII has extensive expertise in soldier sustainment technologies, with nearly 60 active task orders on the IAC MAC program.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, US Special Operations Forces Co-Host Bilateral Engagement to Align Capabilities

Wednesday, September 16th, 2026

CAMP KISARAZU, Japan —  

 U.S. service members assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command and U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific, alongside the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, conducted a bilateral engagement at Camp Kisarazu, Japan, Aug. 24-28, 2026, reinforcing the enduring alliance between the U.S. and Japan.

The five-day event centered on interoperability and collaborative capabilities. It consisted of briefings, discussions and working groups focused on air-to-ground integration and humanitarian assistance and disaster response in a joint environment. By synchronizing on these capabilities, U.S. special operations forces and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force aim to ensure effective collaboration during both crisis response and sustained regional operations.

“This engagement is a critical step in building our partnership,” said Brig. Gen. Clay Freeman, AFSOC deputy commander. “By integrating our air-to-ground capabilities and aligning our disaster response frameworks today, we ensure that the U.S. and Japan can respond instantly and cohesively to any crisis in the Pacific. Upcoming international seminars will further solidify this foundation, turning shared concepts into enduring regional security.”

The engagement also served as the foundation for a Building Partner Aviation Capacity Seminar, which will be co-hosted in Japan at a later date. Together, these events will provide AFSOC and U.S. Special Operations Command with a unique platform to facilitate communication with key regional allies in the Pacific Command region.

Col. Matthew Taylor, 353rd Special Operations Wing deputy commander, was a senior mentor throughout the bilateral engagement. In this role, he guided and advised working groups through joint planning and problem-solving frameworks to address PACOM-specific challenges in communications, logistics, and command and control.

“Integration with our Japanese partners is both a tactical and a strategic imperative,” said Taylor. “This engagement allows the 353rd Special Operations Wing and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to move beyond broad concepts and focus directly on the mechanics of Air-to-Ground Integration. Our goal is to maximize interoperability during bi-lateral activities to support both nations’ security interests—now and into the future.”

Representatives from the JGSDF highlighted that the exchange successfully strengthened tactical coordination, paving the way for more integrated operations during future bilateral missions.

“This exchange event allowed us to enhance our mutual understanding and build a strong foundation of trust,” said Maj. Gen. Yoshichika Ito, 1st Helicopter Brigade commander. “Building on this momentum, we look forward to further strengthening our partnership and working together to contribute to regional stability and security.”

The collaboration in Japan supports ongoing cooperation within the U.S.-Japan alliance, demonstrating a shared commitment to regional security and mutual defense capabilities.

Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

GA-ASI Opening a New Facility in Dayton, Ohio

Tuesday, September 15th, 2026

World Leader in Uncrewed Aircraft Establishing an Innovation Hub for Hardware and Software Development Supporting USAF Programs

DAYTON – 14 September 2026 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the world leader in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, JobsOhio and the Dayton Development Coalition today announced that GA-ASI is expanding its footprint with a new 22,000-square-foot innovation hub in Dayton, Ohio, focusing on hardware and software development for U.S. Air Force (USAF) programs. With the support of Synergy Building Systems, the new facility will open in Spring 2027 near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), home to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

The new facility is in addition to GA-ASI’s existing location outside WPAFB that opened in 2014. The addition will expand GA-ASI’s local footprint by more than seven times the existing square footage. It is expected to employ 50 full-time employees initially, drawn primarily from the local community, with support from JobsOhio and the Dayton Development Coalition, which will help promote and fill these new positions. Anyone interested in applying for a position at GA-ASI should go to www.ga.com/careers.

“GA-ASI’s decision to choose Ohio for its new innovation hub speaks to Ohio’s aviation heritage and the ingenuity of our people,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “This continued growth is part of a long-term strategy to deliver the facilities, infrastructure and talent necessary to ensure UAS pioneers can scale operations and succeed here in Ohio.”

The facility will serve as a central hub for open, modular, and affordable hardware, software, and autonomy development, supporting rapid prototyping, integration, and testing of next-generation UAS capabilities. It will also feature a state-of-the-art mission operations center, enabling remote flight control of GA-ASI aircraft, as well as experimentation, training, and demonstration activities in close coordination with the company’s USAF and industry partners.

“Growing our footprint in Dayton allows GA-ASI to bring its long-standing UAS and sensing expertise to a region recognized as a premier center for advanced technology. This expansion will enable closer collaboration with local industry and more frequent interaction with our U.S. Air Force customer,” said GA-ASI Vice President of DoD Strategic Development Patrick Shortsleeve.

“GA-ASI’s latest investment in Ohio reinforces our state’s vital role in strengthening America’s national defense,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “In partnership with the Dayton Development Coalition, we welcome this cutting-edge facility, which will advance critical aircraft hardware and software systems, create 50 new jobs in Beavercreek, and position GA-ASI closer to its private-sector partners and customers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.”

Ohio’s Aerospace & Defense sector is built for the speed our mission now demands. More than 640 aerospace facilities and 400 defense contractor organizations — supporting 418,000 jobs and roughly $55 billion in annual economic output — operate in collaboration with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the Air Force Research Laboratory, the NASA Glenn Research Center, and the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE). That concentration shortens the distance from concept to manufacturing: in Ohio, companies can dream it, build it, test it, and scale it without leaving the state.

Synergy Vice President John Kopilchack said: “We are very excited to welcome General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. into our growing Synergy Defense portfolio. Synergy remains committed to clients like GA-ASI who are inventing and pioneering modern solutions for our warfighters.”

GA-ASI has been a supplier of UAS, including the Predator® and Reaper® platforms, to the U.S. Air Force for the past 30 years. In June, GA-ASI was awarded a production contract from USAF to build the new FQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), a purpose-built uncrewed fighter jet developed as part of ongoing investment in next-generation semi-autonomous combat aircraft.

JobsOhio plans to provide assistance for the project, which will be made public after a final agreement is executed. In addition, the project may pursue a Job Creation Tax Credit from the Ohio Department of Development at a future Tax Credit Authority meeting.

Quantum Systems Launches Maritime Domain, Introducing Seavex and Subvex

Tuesday, September 15th, 2026

Quantum Systems is expanding into the maritime domain, connecting autonomous operations above and below the waterline with its existing capabilities in the air and on land. With the launch, the company introduces Seavex and Subvex, its first two maritime systems designed for persistent surveillance, critical infrastructure protection and Counter-UAS operations.

Sesimbra, Portugal, 14 September 2026 – Quantum Systems today announced the launch of its maritime domain, expanding its unmanned systems portfolio from air and land to sea.

The launch takes place in Portugal on the sidelines of a major NATO maritime exercise and introduces two new systems, Seavex and Subvex. Both systems will test and validate capabilities as part of sea trials, extending Quantum Systems’ autonomous capabilities above and below the waterline in an operational environment.

Seavex and Subvex are fully integrated into MOSAIC UXS, enabling their deployment alongside unmanned air and ground systems through a common software architecture. The result is an interoperable system across air, land and sea that can be expanded with additional platforms, sensors and third-party technologies.

“We started in the air, expanded to land, and now we are going to sea. But the real step forward is not adding another domain. It is connecting them,” said Florian Seibel, Co-CEO and Founder of Quantum Systems. “With Seavex and Subvex integrated into MOSAIC UXS, we are building one autonomous system across air, land and sea. That is where unmanned operations are heading, and that is what we are delivering.” 

Seavex and Subvex: autonomous capabilities on the water and below the surface

Seavex is a long-endurance unmanned surface vehicle (USV) designed for persistent maritime ISR missions. With an endurance of up to two months, the system includes surveillance radar, counter-drone radar and electro-optical sensors with onboard AI processing. Seavex launches and recovers UAVs while docking, recharging and retrieving mission data from UUVs.

Subvex is an AI-enabled unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) designed for autonomous ISR missions at depths of up to 6,000 metres. Equipped with sonar and acoustic sensors as well as onboard edge processing, the system can operate for up to four days in active movement and supports distributed operations with multiple Subvex vehicles. It can also remain on the seabed in passive surveillance mode for persistent underwater monitoring for weeks.

Together, both systems extend reconnaissance from the surface into the deep sea and support missions including the protection of critical maritime infrastructure, maritime border security, anti-submarine surveillance and blue-water surveillance. Their integration into MOSAIC UXS enables sensor information from different systems and domains to be combined within a single operational environment.

The expansion comes as maritime security is gaining strategic importance, with coastlines, ports and critical marine infrastructure facing a growing need for persistent surveillance. At the same time, threats increasingly span the air, surface and underwater environment, requiring information from across the waterline to be detected, connected and understood as part of one operational picture.

“Maritime operations have a fundamental challenge: the areas are vast, while crews and assets are limited,” said Dirk Zademack, VP Quantum Maritime at Quantum Systems. “In the air and on land, we have built an ecosystem in which unmanned systems operate together rather than individually. We are now applying the same principle at sea with Seavex and Subvex: extending collaborative presence on the water and below the surface and compiling the information for the operator.”

The launch marks the next step in Quantum Systems’ consistent expansion as a global deep-tech defence prime. The company has expanded beyond aerial systems into a broader portfolio of unmanned capabilities, while building the software, AI and system integration expertise to connect them. With MOSAIC UXS as the common software backbone, Quantum Systems brings these capabilities together into an integrated, scalable system.

BlackPoint Tactical Launches ARC-LOCK TASER Holster With Two Levels of Retention

Tuesday, September 15th, 2026

ALPHARETTA, G.A. – September 14, 2026 – BlackPoint Tactical, a High Speed Gear® Products Group brand, announces the launch of the ARC-LOCK™ TASER Holster, a professional-duty holster engineered specifically for the TASER® 7 and TASER® 10 energy weapons.

Designed for law-enforcement officers, military personnel and other professionals who demand uncompromising security for their less-lethal equipment, the ARC-LOCK TASER Holster features two levels of retention while maintaining a draw mechanic that is smooth, fast, and consistent.

At the center of the design is the BlackPoint Tactical Master Grip Concept. The retention lever is positioned so the user can comfortably reach it when establishing a full, natural grip on the TASER® . This eliminates unnecessary hand articulation and allows the user to maintain the master grip throughout the draw and presentation of the device. The result is an intuitive draw stroke designed to provide officers with fast, dependable access to their less-lethal option when seconds matter.

“Law-enforcement professionals should not have to choose between equipment security and immediate access,” said Tyler Johnson, Vice President of Finance and Holster Sales, High Speed Gear Products Group. “The ARC-LOCK TASER® Holster applies BlackPoint Tactical’s proven Master Grip Concept to the TASER®, giving officers two levels of retention without introducing unnecessary or unnatural movement into the draw.”

This holster’s first level of retention is an adjustable friction fit, while the second level is an auto-rotating hood. The hood is easily released by depressing the retention lever. Customizations offered include magnetic activation for the Taser® 10 and a hood augmentation plate which further enhances the security of the Taser® in the holster. Together, these features balance performance and equipment security with a smooth, natural draw stroke, giving professionals greater confidence during routine duty and rapidly evolving encounters.

Features include:

• Two levels of retention

• BlackPoint Tactical’s Master Grip Concept

• Belt and MOLLE mounting options (also compatible with 3rd party accessories)

• Durable construction designed for professional duty use

• Thread locker applied to hardware to help prevent screws from loosening over time

• Designed and manufactured in the United States

The BlackPoint Tactical TASER® 10 Holster has also been recognized through the National Tactical Officers Association’s Member Tested and Recommended Program, further supporting its suitability for professional law-enforcement use. The product appears among the equipment reviewed through the NTOA Member Tested and Recommended Program.

The ARC-LOCK TASER® Holster expands BlackPoint Tactical’s growing line of professional-duty offerings reflects the company’s commitment to developing dependable retention products around the real-world needs of law-enforcement officers.

The BlackPoint Tactical ARC-LOCK TASER® Holster is available now. For product specifications and ordering information, visit the BlackPoint Tactical website at: blackpointtactical.com/shop/arc-lock-taser-holster-2-levels-of-retention