September 2026 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for September, 2026

Gallatin AI Supports 11th Airborne Division During Yama Sakura 91

Wednesday, September 16th, 2026

CAMP HIGASHI-CHITOSE, Japan, Sept. 15, 2026 — Gallatin AI deployed its AI/ML sustainment decision-support application, Navigator, in support of the U.S. Army’s 11th Airborne Division during Exercise Yama Sakura 91.

Throughout the two-week exercise, Navigator’s AI-enabled predictive sustainment capabilities allowed division staff to forecast critical supplies ahead-of-need, provide near-real-time equipment and personnel readiness visibility, and calculate available combat power. These capabilities helped sustainment professionals assess the logistical feasibility of operational plans and provide commanders with a clearer understanding of sustainment risk across competing courses of action.

Yama Sakura is the largest joint, trilateral command post exercise co-sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), focused on readiness and interoperability between U.S., Japanese, and Australian forces. Navigator supported key Yama Sakura 91 objectives, including increasing joint force lethality, strengthening alliances and partnerships, and furthering experimentation and innovation in the context of multi-domain operations.

Navigator’s integration into Yama Sakura 91 continues the partnership between Gallatin and the 11th Airborne, as Navigator was previously used in February by the unit’s 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 26-02. It also represents the first time the 11th Airborne has leveraged Navigator at the division-level to inform corps-echelon decision making.

Purpose-built around open-architecture principles, Navigator ensures interoperability across U.S. Department of War, Allied, and Partner systems (namely Maven Smart System), all without relying on proprietary hardware.

“Allied and Partner interoperability is central to both Navigator’s capability set and Gallatin’s viewpoint on defense technology,” said Woody Glier, CEO of Gallatin. “The ability to support combined operations is table stakes, whether you’re talking about deterring adversaries, or defeating them during large-scale combat operations. The technology supporting those forces has to work across organizations, echelons, and national boundaries.”

Navigator is already deployed with multiple military units, supporting every level of war. Capabilities will continue to be validated through iterative delivery across multiple live exercises.

The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.

For more information, visit www.gallatin.ai.

Posted in Admin, AI / ML, Army, Press Release | No Comments »

Iten Defense Officially Joins NP Aerospace Global Enterprise

Wednesday, September 16th, 2026

Completion of acquisition of Iten Defense by NP Aerospace establishes U.S. manufacturing presence and expands global armour and survivability capabilities

COVENTRY, UK – 14 September 2026 – NP Aerospace, a leading global armour technology manufacturer and vehicle integrator, today confirms the successful completion of its acquisition of Iten Defense, a U.S.-based specialist provider of advanced defence protection solutions, from Edgewater Capital Partners and other minority shareholders.

The transaction concluded on September 10, following the definitive agreement announced on 22 June 2026 and the completion of the required closing conditions and regulatory approvals under the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

The completion of the acquisition signals the next phase of both companies’ growth plans. Iten Defense will continue to operate under the Iten Defense brand and existing leadership team. NP Aerospace will continue to run its operations and support global customers from its two manufacturing sites in Coventry, UK, and its operation in London, Ontario, Canada.

The combination of complementary expertise and technical know-how is expected to accelerate growth and increase revenues across the NP Aerospace global enterprise.

James Kempston, CEO, NP Aerospace, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Iten Defense team to our global enterprise. Their focus on protecting and saving lives is a strong fit with our mission, and customers will benefit from complementary capabilities and increased manufacturing capacity as the integration progresses.”

Damon Walsh, CEO, Iten Defense, said: “Joining NP Aerospace marks an exciting new chapter for Iten Defense. Our shared commitment to advanced protection makes this a natural fit, creating new opportunities to strengthen our capabilities, support our customers and accelerate growth from our Ashtabula facility.”

Iten Defense, headquartered in Ashtabula, Ohio, gives NP Aerospace an established U.S. manufacturing presence and significantly expands its advanced armour production capability. The business specialises in opaque and transparent composite armour solutions for land, maritime and aerospace applications, complementing NP Aerospace’s portfolio of personal protection, platform survivability, vehicle systems and engineered composites.

Iten Defense will continue to operate from its Ashtabula facility, ensuring continuity for customers and employees while the businesses identify opportunities across engineering, manufacturing and product development. The Ohio site is also set for further expansion, with plans to accommodate up to 100 new jobs over the next several years.The acquisition has been supported with funding from Export Development Canada (EDC) and NatWest Group PLC, providing financing for the transaction and additional working capital to support NP Aerospace’s continued international growth.

Completion represents an important milestone in NP Aerospace’s long-term international strategy, strengthening its position as an international provider of advanced armour, survivability and engineered protection solutions.

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NP Aerospace Lands New Contract Bringing Its Total Protected Cab Order Book to Over 60 units

Wednesday, September 16th, 2026

NP Aerospace, a global vehicle integrator, armoured system design and manufacturer has announced the receipt of another order for protected vehicle cabs from an undisclosed customer. This takes its total protected cab order book to more than 60 units. The milestone reflects the company’s established position as an OEM agnostic integration partner for defence primes and military fleets, worldwide.

The company delivers end-to-end survivability systems, from concept design and safety certification to manufacture, integration and through-life support. NP Aerospace has successfully engineered protected crew solutions across a broad spectrum of threat levels, including up to STANAG 4569 Level 4, spanning multiple vehicle classes such as military logistic trucks, specialist engineering equipment, EOD vehicles and recovery vehicles.

Remaining OEM agnostic, NP Aerospace can work with multiple vehicle manufacturers, enabling defence customers to select the optimum base vehicle while drawing upon proven protection expertise. This flexible business model allows the company to deliver complete cab assemblies, knock-down kits, armour integration packages, or licensed production options tailored to specific customer requirements and platform constraints.

With active programmes running across the UK, Europe and North America, NP Aerospace combines sovereign UK engineering and manufacturing expertise with established international delivery infrastructure. Through its global operations, the company provides defence customers and OEMs with a single partner capable of supporting local manufacturing, technology transfer and built-to-print requirements. This capability makes it an ideal partner for upcoming modernisation initiatives, such as the UK MoD’s Future Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) and Heavy Recovery Vehicle (HRV) programmes.

James Kempston, CEO at NP Aerospace said, “NP Aerospace has developed a proven armoured cab capability through the successful delivery of protected crew solutions across military logistics, engineering and specialist vehicle platforms. As future logistics and recovery vehicle programmes progress, we are focused on delivering low risk, exportable survivability solutions that support both national capability and international growth.”

With current active pursuits and quotations exceeding 100 cabs globally, NP Aerospace continues to position itself as the trusted UK survivability and armoured cab integration partner, enabling both national and sovereign capability and international fleet growth across defence markets.

Posted in Armor, Contracts, International, Mobility, Press Release | No Comments »

PROOF Research Announces Sean Murphy as Director of Sales and Marketing

Wednesday, September 16th, 2026

COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont. – September 16, 2026 – PROOF Research is proud to announce the hire of Sean Murphy as director of sales and marketing. Murphy joins PROOF Research with 15 years of experience in the firearms industry, spanning sales, marketing, product management and training in the premium optics, suppressor and firearms sectors.

Murphy most recently served as vice president of sales and marketing at Sons of Liberty Gun Works, where he played a key role in driving the company’s commercial, law enforcement and military growth. Previously, he held positions with Nightforce Optics and KGM Suppressors, building a broad understanding of both civilian and professional markets.

“Sean brings an incredible combination of industry experience, sales leadership, competitive shooting expertise and knowledge of PROOF Research,” said KK Jense, CEO of PROOF Research. “His knowledge of multiple markets will be an essential contribution to our work as we continue to expand our reach. We’re excited to welcome Sean to the PROOF team in this new capacity and look forward to what we’ll accomplish together.”

Murphy’s experience extends well beyond the business side of the industry, having been a competitive shooter for 20 years across various disciplines, including action shooting and long-range precision. He has also been a member of the PROOF Research Shooting Team for a decade, giving him a longstanding firsthand understanding and appreciation of PROOF’s technology. Additionally, he formed a highly successful long-range duo with Greg Hamilton, PROOF Research’s director of special projects, further deepening his familiarity with PROOF’s approach to performance-driven product development.

“I’m excited to join the PROOF Research team that I’ve known and loved for many years,” said Murphy. “Being no stranger to the capabilities of their barrels and rifles, the company is leading the industry with innovations in technologies for next-generation weapon systems and unlocked performance previously unimaginable. It is an exciting time to be in the small arms industry and to join the great team at PROOF. I look forward to being a part of the company’s continued success.”

In his new role as director of sales and marketing, Murphy will focus on expanding PROOF Research’s sales efforts and strengthening relationships across different markets. His combination of industry leadership and firsthand knowledge of PROOF’s products and technologies positions him to help drive the company’s ongoing growth. Murphy’s addition to the team comes as PROOF Research continues to advance its lineup of next-generation small-arms technologies designed to deliver exceptional performance.

For more information about Proof Research, visit ProofResearch.com.

Posted in Industry, Press Release | No Comments »

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.

Posted in Army, EW, Press Release | Comments Off on Xtremis Wins Defense Innovation Unit’s Spectrum Strike Prize Challenge

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.

Posted in Ammo, Industry, Press Release | 2 Comments »

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

Posted in Guest Post, Sensors, Unmanned Systems, USMC | No Comments »

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.

Posted in Army, Contracts, Logistics, Parachuting, Press Release | No Comments »