This year’s AUSA includes Outdoor Exhibits, in particular I’d like to direct your attention to the Ukrainian Defense Tech Pavilion which will house 17 Ukrainian companies who offer capabilities making a daily difference in their conflict with Russia.
It’s just a short walk from the convention center.
Complete FN pintle weapon system featuring FN M3M ENDURANCE
Herstal, Belgium – 09 October 2026
FN – the iconic brand of FN Browning Group’s Defence & Security division, which includes FN Herstal, FN UK and FN America – is proud to introduce the FN® M3M ENDURANCE, the latest in the international series of M3 .50 calibre machine guns. FN has taken the most powerful, combat-proven .50 calibre weapon system and increased its service life by 50% while also extending maintenance intervals by three times, all while retaining its worldwide-recognised high firing rate for maximized hit probability.
Backed by over 135 years of empowering those who serve, defend and protect us with the most dependable defence and security solutions, the FN M3M ENDURANCE is part of a cutting-edge, fully integrated pintle system designed to counter current and emerging threats, including C-UAS. The globally warrantied system includes not only weapons, but also ammunition, mounts, ILS support services, operator training and accessories such as the FN ELITY® LITE laser range finder and IR laser pointer/illuminator, plus the FN SMARTCORE® shot counter for maintenance tracking and optimization.
Fully integrated and qualified by FN, the FN M3M ENDURANCE is the next generation .50 calibre machine gun, still delivering a high rate of fire of 1,100 RPM and specifically designed for seamless integration onto new or in-service FN crew-served weapon systems across air, land, sea and ground-based platforms. It is the answer to users who want to reduce maintenance workloads and increase machine gun operational availability.
“Our goal was to create a cutting-edge, fully integrated system delivering ultra-high firepower with extended service life and low maintenance requirements. It addresses key customer challenges in airborne applications, where the FN M3 is widely used, as well as in land and naval applications, where maintenance requirements differ from the airborne sector,” said Rudi Collin, Vice President of Integrated Weapon Systems at FN. “With this state-of-the-art innovation, we are proud to provide warfighters with the most advanced .50 calibre machine gun available on a pintle mount, backed by an undisputed expertise and a comprehensive warranty for the entire pintle system.”
Design Differently
FN expertise in pintle weapon systems has been recognized for decades. In the late 1970s, the company – already a global leader in the design and development of small calibre firearms and ammunition – began to integrate its unequalled machine guns into pintles for use on a wide range of air, land and sea vehicles. The FN M3M ENDURANCE takes this approach to new levels, improving both in-service time and ease of maintenance. In addition, it can also be mounted on a ground-based pedestal and used for perimeter defence and C-UAS missions.
Building on the only proven open-bolt .50 calibre FN M3 machine gun platform in service worldwide, the FN M3M ENDURANCE increases lifetime from 40,000 to 60,000 rounds while extending preventive maintenance intervals from 5,000 to 15,000 rounds.
With its high firing rate and exceptional firepower, the new FN M3M ENDURANCE delivers an overall lower cost of ownership by providing:
The FN M3M ENDURANCE is a fully automatic .50 calibre machine gun designed to fire Ball, Tracer, AP, API, APIT and APEI ammunition. With full control in any firing position, the open-bolt weapon has an effective range of 2,500 meters and a maximum range of 6,500 meters, plus can be fed from the left or right side. The system is also fully mechanical and autonomous from the carrier’s power, with no electrical power required for operation, ensuring continued weapon availability even in the event of an electrical power failure, loss of power, or electrical-system limitation on the carrier. Additionally, the system offers outstanding balance and accuracy, along with crew safety and performance reliability.
New FN M3M ENDURANCE .50 calibre machine gun, featuring optional FN ELITY® LITE laser range finder and IR laser pointer/illuminator, along with optional FN SMARTCORE® shot counter
FN pintles are engineered and manufactured in accordance with ISO 9001 and AS/EN 9100-certified quality systems and Nadcap-certified processes and qualified for use across a broad range of military aircraft, land vehicles and naval platforms, delivering proven performance, reliability and confidence mission-critical applications demand.
The new FN M3M ENDURANCE, along with a wide range of other FN innovations and solutions, will be on display in the FN booth (Hall 6, Stand F44) at EURONAVAL in Paris, 3-6 November.
West Hartford, CT — October 9, 2026 — Colt is proud to announce its participation in the 2026 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition, taking place October 12–14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Colt’s leadership team looks forward to connecting with military leaders, industry partners, customers, and members of the global defense community at Booth #7547.
“AUSA is where we engage directly with the people shaping the future needs of the warfighter,” said Colt President and CEO Jillair Kubish. “Colt has served alongside U.S. and allied forces for nearly two centuries. Our history gives us a strong foundation, but it does not define the limits of where we can go. We are evolving as a company, and always committed to those who serve.”
Colt is focused on developing new capabilities for the global defense community through continued investment in engineering, manufacturing, product development and strategic partnerships.
“We look forward to collaborating with our industry partners, and aligning with the U.S. Army, the Department of War, and our federal law enforcement partners on their lethality needs,” said Thomas Sullivan, Colt Vice President of Government Sales & Programs. “AUSA gives us the opportunity to listen, understand where requirements are heading, and show how Colt can help meet them.”
The 2026 AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition will take place October 12-14, 2026 in Washington D.C. Attendees are invited to visit Colt at Booth #7547 throughout the event to meet the team and learn more about Colt’s capabilities.
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) equipment doesn’t survive the mission if it doesn’t survive the infil. The FirstSpear UAS-AIRBORNE PACK is purpose-built for high-performance storage and transportation of UAS systems during airborne, airmobile, and vehicle operations. With a stiffened interior designed to protect UAS equipment in transit and reinforced integrated attachment points for airdrop hardware, this pack is built from the ground up for operators who jump with their UAS and need it intact on the other side.
Features:
At its core, the UAS-AIRBORNE PACK features a spacious main compartment measuring 21″ H x 16″ W x 9″ D with modular interior inserts that allow the operator to section off drones, payloads, batteries, and mission-specific equipment independently. Available kit inserts include the Hammer Drone Insert, Ordnance Large Insert, Drone Controller Insert, Two Battery Insert, and Goggle Insert, providing a fully configurable UAS carry solution in a single pack. A reinforced and covered side-release buckle adds durability for demanding field use. Available in Black, Coyote, Manatee Grey, Multicam, Ranger Green, and Multicam Black.
Built for military personnel, law enforcement officers, and UAS operators who demand reliable mission-ready equipment, the UAS-Airborne Pack delivers secure, organized drone transport built to survive airborne and airmobile operations. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting-edge tactical gear for military, law enforcement, and those who train. To request an estimate, visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. For more information, visit First-Spear.com.
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Soldiers from across the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)’s Advanced Skills Company kicked off the unit’s first baseline lethality exercise to bolster the Group’s ability to tackle evolving global threats. Coined “War Horse,” 3rd Group is standardizing the baseline training pathway, building readiness and enhancing combat lethality for the Special Forces Operational Detachment Alphas, known as SFOD-A.
Across the Special Forces regiment, the ODA serves as the building block to execute unconventional warfare. Teams consist of 12 Army Special Forces Soldiers: a detachment commander, an assistant detachment commander and 10 highly skilled Soldiers with advanced training in weapons, intelligence, technical communications, medicine and engineering. Together, the ODA is highly autonomous, designed for self-sufficiency and independent operations in hostile, denied or politically sensitive environments.
Across 3rd SFG(A), ODAs are adopting a new way to build operational readiness. Over the next eight weeks, the unit will assess more than 100 ARSOF Soldiers as they train on tasks across seven warfighting functions, developing combat effectiveness and building readiness for future operational requirements.
“Developing a centralized baseline lethality training model enables the Group to standardize training across our ODAs while maximizing the use of our resources,” said Army Col. Anthony Heisler, commander of 3rd Group, emphasizing the criticality of implementing War Horse across the Group. “This training is preparing our formation to fight and win under the most demanding and disadvantageous conditions. The nation’s expectation of us is simple; fight and win in any environment and War Horse will help us deliver on that commitment.”
War Horse, which pays homage to the group’s nickname as the “warhorse of the regiment,” consists of six distinct modules designed to build individual and team-level readiness. Special Forces Soldiers begin training with academic instruction, building a shared understanding of Special Operations’ role in large-scale combat operations, and how evolving global threats shape the operational environment.
“War Horse is designed to assess our Green Berets on 22 baseline lethality tasks to ensure we are ready to operate in a variety of different environments with partners from across the Joint Force,” said the commander of 3rd Group’s Advanced Skills Company. “We built this exercise to codify the foundational skills of our Special Forces, replicating the most complex and dynamic environments to ensure the Group is ready to execute the most demanding missions across the world.”
After a week of academics, ODAs develop tactical operations procedures, working with seasoned Special Forces Soldiers to strengthen their foundational knowledge of executing battle drills in a multitude of environments. A week of building this tactical proficiency helps ensure Special Forces Soldiers are prepared to conduct tactical mission planning and execution during the following module.
In the two weeks following tactical skills development, the Advanced Skills Company will put the Green Berets to the test, assessing combat readiness by testing tactical proficiencies throughout a variety of different combat scenarios. Special Forces Soldiers initial movements are conducted throughout Uwharrie National Forest, a key training site used in the assessment of Soldiers vying to earn the Green Beret during the Special Forces Qualification Course’s Robin Sage exercise. The infiltration is designed to test ODAs’ movements across mountainous terrain, rapid decision-making, and combat readiness under a variety of different conditions.
Following training at the Uwharrie National Forest, ODA’s return to Fort Bragg, continuing to build upon skills developed over the previous two weeks. For the next three weeks, teams of Special Forces Soldiers continue to build readiness, executing live fire ranges, employing and calling for indirect fire systems, conducting dismounted maneuvers during both day and night and completing an immersive medical training scenario that ensures detachments are prepared to operate independently with minimal logistical support.
At the end of War Horse, ODAs take lessons learned and continue team-level training progression specific to missions across Africa, 3rd SFG(A)’s area of responsibility.
3rd Group mans, trains, equips, educates, and globally deploys scalable Special Forces, Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations elements to conduct Special Operations by, with, and through, partners, surrogates and allies to solve problems on behalf of Geographic Combatant Commanders, Theater Special Operations Command Commanders, U.S. Ambassadors and the nation.
By MAJ Justin Zwick
The award represents the second major US Government investment dedicated to advancing Kopin’s color MicroLED microdisplay technology. The latest award brings Kopin’s total IBAS funding to $34 million. The additional funding will support development of two more MicroLED display configurations designed for specific ground-soldier and pilot applications while accelerating Kopin’s efforts to establish and expand U.S.-based MicroLED manufacturing capabilities.
Continued and Accelerating U.S. Government Investment in Kopin MicroLED Technology
The additional $18.6 million award represents continued U.S. government investment in Kopin’s MicroLED technology and its potential role in next-generation military visual systems while enabling Kopin to accelerate onshoring the MicroLED manufacturing processes, ensuring that the advanced display components essential to future defense and commercial systems are designed and built, in the United States.
“Securing additional IBAS funding represents significant continued validation of Kopin’s MicroLED technology and its importance to next-generation U.S. defense systems. Combined with our previous IBAS investment, the U.S. government has now committed $34 million through IBAS to advance MicroLED technology. This enables Kopin to accelerate the development and U.S.-based manufacturing of additional high-performance MicroLED displays designed for next-generation soldier and pilot systems while separately enabling the foundational MicroLED platform technology for our AI Interconnect products,” said Michael Murray, Kopin’s CEO.
Supporting More Army Programs of Record
With the expanded funding, Kopin will develop two additional MicroLED displays purpose-built for specific ground soldier equipment and missions and for pilot HUDs. With this support, Kopin can meet the specific and demanding requirements of the advanced MicroLED displays for next?generation visual systems that demand exceptional brightness, rugged durability, power efficiency, and, reliable performance in all operational environments. These capabilities improve situational awareness for soldiers in the field and also open the door for wider integration into future weapon sights, helmet?mounted systems, and augmented?reality platforms—ultimately helping shape the Army’s modernization roadmap for years to come.
Strengthening Kopin’s Strategic Growth Path
This second?round award validates Kopin’s advanced position and roadmap for MicroLED displays for U.S. military applications and programs, and underscores the company’s commitment to advancing U.S.–made displays and optical solutions. With expanding program awards across defense, medical, enterprise, and AI infrastructure markets, Kopin is expanding its position as a trusted, critical technology supplier—delivering breakthrough visual and optical components that enable customers to innovate faster, operate more efficiently, and meet the rising demands of modern systems.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va., Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BLADE announced today that HDT Robotics, LLC, doing business as BLADE, has been selected to advance to Phase II of the GroundBreaker 1 unmanned ground vehicle demonstration with its Hunter WOLF multi-mission unmanned ground vehicle.
The selection follows the Government’s technical evaluation of BLADE’s Phase I solution brief and advances Hunter WOLF to a live hardware demonstration scheduled for October 19-23, 2026, at Camp Grafton, North Dakota.
GroundBreaker 1 is designed to evaluate unmanned ground vehicle technologies for potential employment across tactical and non-tactical missions. During Phase II, Government evaluators will assess technology maturity, operational readiness and cross-domain interoperability.
“Hunter WOLF was built for exactly this kind of challenge,” said Tom Van Doren, President, Robotics Sector at BLADE. “This is a mature, mission-ready platform that has been tested alongside warfighters in demanding environments. GroundBreaker 1 gives us the opportunity to demonstrate why the Hunter WOLF is ready to support the warfighter now.”
The Hunter WOLF is a multi-mission unmanned ground vehicle engineered to reduce soldier workload, extend operational reach and keep personnel farther from dangerous tasks. Its adaptable architecture supports missions including tactical logistics, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, communications support and other mission-critical applications.
Designed for complex and austere environments, Hunter WOLF combines high payload capacity, off-road mobility, onboard power and autonomous and remote-control capabilities. The system has been evaluated through military exercises and training events and has supported operational use in Ukraine, providing BLADE with real-world insight into evolving unmanned ground requirements.
The GroundBreaker 1 selection comes as the Department of War places increasing emphasis on rapidly fielding autonomous and robotic systems capable of operating alongside warfighters. Following Phase II, companies whose demonstrations are successfully evaluated may be invited to Phase III to submit a full proposal for a Prototype Other Transaction Authority award.
Galvion, a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative head systems, power and data management solutions, and integrated soldier systems, will showcase a new Cortex™ EVO HALO integration concept for the U.S. Army’s in-service Next-Generation Integrated Head Protection System (NG-IHPS) at AUSA 2026 in Washington, D.C., October 12–14, Hall E, booth 7917.
The NG-IHPS concept marks the latest evolution of Galvion’s Cortex EVO architecture and the first time EVO HALO has been integrated onto a non-Galvion helmet. Designed as an externally mounted implementation of Cortex EVO, HALO provides a potential pathway to introduce advanced power, data and headborne capabilities onto both new and fielded helmet platforms, without requiring replacement of the underlying protective system.
First introduced in its deeply integrated Embedded configuration at SOF Week 2026, Cortex EVO brings protection, power, data and compute together within a unified headborne architecture. The HALO configuration, introduced on Galvion’s Batlskin Caiman® helmet at Eurosatory 2026, extends that same architecture through an externally mounted approach, providing greater flexibility for integration across existing helmet platforms.
Applying EVO HALO to NG-IHPS takes that approach a step further. By adapting the architecture to a non-Galvion helmet, the concept illustrates how advanced headborne capabilities could be introduced to the U.S. Army’s fielded NG-IHPS fleet while continuing to leverage the existing protective platform.
The approach provides a potential upgrade path as soldier-worn technologies and operational requirements continue to evolve.
The NG-IHPS configuration is being developed to support integration with current and emerging soldier-worn technologies, including the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular (ENVG-B) and Binod platforms. Through its common power and data backbone, Cortex EVO can support visual augmentation, sensing and awareness technologies, digital communications and other headborne capabilities within a unified system environment.
Galvion’s AlertCentr™ software enables mission-relevant information to be managed at the headborne level, including configurable visual and audio cueing designed to allow operators to access and act on critical information without diverting attention to secondary devices. The open architecture also enables Galvion-developed and third-party technologies to operate within a common system environment.
Jonathan Blanshay, Founder and Executive Chairman of Galvion, said: “Modernization doesn’t always have to mean replacing proven equipment. Embedded EVO shows what is possible when integration begins at the helmet design stage, while HALO provides another pathway for helmet systems already in service. By integrating EVO HALO onto NG-IHPS, we’re showing how an existing protective platform could evolve to support new capabilities as requirements and technologies advance, while preserving the investment already in place.”
