Phantom Lights

Archive for the ‘Armoured Vehicles’ Category

« Older Entries

Recon Marines Provide Critical Feedback for ARV Development

Friday, July 31st, 2026

DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. —

It is crucial that the capabilities our warfighters receive to fight and survive meet the current threat environment. Their input in the development of such systems can help lead to a capability that meets their needs when they need it. With that in mind, Portfolio Acquisition Executive Marine Corps Program Manager Light Armored Vehicles (PM LAV) conducted an Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) Marine Touch Point (MTP) at the Ground Vehicle Systems Center in Detroit Arsenal, Mich., June 10 – 11, 2026. 

The ARV program is executing under the Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) pathway for rapid prototyping, and to support this accelerated timeline, PM LAV is conducting a series of early operational assessments with the Textron and General Dynamics Land Systems prototype ARV-30 variant. These events are designed to place these systems directly in the hands of experienced Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Marines to capture high-pedigree, actionable feedback, which will lead to reducing program risk prior to major design reviews and potentially influence future design changes. 

“This Marine touchpoint puts experienced LAR operators in the driver’s seat of prototypes, providing an early fleet feedback loop to refine designs and optimize combat capabilities before the baseline is locked. It allows us to directly translate Marine prototype feedback into concrete design refinements—ensuring the final platform is built for operators.” 

– Col. Douglas Peterson, program manager, LAV

Marines with 1st LAR, 2d LAR, 3d LAR, and LAR Training Company, conducted gunnery and vehicle familiarization operations designed to familiarize the Marines with the prototype vehicle’s layout and turret operations through hands-on interaction. Additionally, they performed driver training and practical application on a test track. Using a concurrent execution model, the Marines split into groups with one conducting driver familiarization and practical application on one vendor’s vehicle, the other group simultaneously conducting gunnery and vehicle familiarization on the other vendor’s platform. The groups “flip-flopped” roles at points, ensuring all Marines interacted with all systems. Using this approach, PM LAV was able to maintain data integrity by ensuring all Marines provide feedback on both vehicles independently. 

“From my perspective, this Marine Touch Point was a phenomenal success and a textbook example of our ‘Shift Left’ strategy in action,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. John Farrell, PM LAV operations chief. “By putting our most seasoned, highly experienced LAR Marines face-to-face with vendor engineers, we captured high-pedigree, actionable feedback on the physical hull ergonomics and turret controls of the ARV-30 prototypes early in the cycle. This direct collaboration is incredibly beneficial for both the USMC and our industry partners; it allows us to identify necessary design refinements, mitigate program risks, and shape future tactics well before the Critical Design Review, ensuring we ultimately deliver the most lethal and operationally suitable platform to the fleet.” 

“This [Marine Touch Point] is integral to the future of the Marine Corps,” said Staff Sgt. Dominic Rosado, Light Armored platoon sergeant and master gunner for 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. “We have maintenance chiefs here, we have master gunners here, we have O311 scouts that ride in the back of the vehicles and not necessarily operate it. I think bringing the Marines here to tell the contractors, ‘hey, this is what we’re looking for – hey, this is something that you might run into if we are to get this vehicle today and you kept this piece of gear on here.’ We’re here to basically shape what we want and tell them. We’re integrated in the process and the building of these new weapon systems, these new vehicles, and everything that the Marine Corps is turning into for this new force design.” 

The ARV is built for the mission ahead. With open architecture, modular payloads, and clear upgrade paths, the system is designed to evolve. It gives the future Mobile Reconnaissance Battalion (MRB) a platform that is more survivable, more mobile, and more connected. Helping Marines see first, understand faster, and stay in the fight. 

“The ARV is the critical enabler for the LAR-to-MRB transition. It fundamentally redefines the mission by sensing, fusing, and sharing actionable intelligence across the entire (Marine Air-Ground Task Force). The capabilities the ARV delivers are highly suitable for the near-term fight, while its open-architecture design guarantees scalable capability growth for years to come.”  

– Col. Douglas Peterson, program manager, LAV

“It creates more of a situational awareness,” said Rosado. “Not only for just like the individual crewmen, but as a whole with the different variants that they’re coming out with. Situational awareness down from the crewmen level all the way to the company and battalion level is going to serve dividends going and reporting to the [Marine Expeditionary Unit], reporting to a division, or whoever is that higher echelon of command that we report to the situational awareness of the battlefield. That’s what we do and shaping that is going to be greatly improved based off these vehicles.” 

PM LAV is planning to conduct additional MTP’s throughout the ARV’s pre-production development phase to continue to receive feedback on design updates. The program continues to deliver on schedule, apply rigorous cost controls, and reduce risk early, utilizing events such as this to do so.

By David Jordan | Portfolio Acquisition Executive Marine Corps

Posted in Armoured Vehicles, Guest Post, USMC | 1 Comment »

INKAS Announces Major North American Manufacturing Expansion Across Canada and the United States

Tuesday, July 7th, 2026

New facilities in Canada, North Carolina, and Florida are expected to more than double INKAS®’ armored vehicle, defense, and special-purpose production footprint by July 31, 2026

Toronto, Canada, June 30th, 2026 – INKAS®, a Canadian armored vehicle manufacturer and systems integrator, announces a major expansion of its North American manufacturing footprint, with three additiona production facilities across Canada and the United States expected to be in full operation by July 31, 2026.

The three newly leased facilities are comprised of a mix of manufacturing and production space, with approximately 42,000 square feet at an additional Toronto facility in Canada, 200,000 square feet at an armored vehicle production facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, and 31,000 square feet for a first-time facility in Florida at Fort Pierce.

Together, these facilities are expected to more than double INKAS’® production space across North America, strengthening the company’s ability to support growing demand from government, defense, law enforcement, commercial security, and specialized vehicle customers.

The expanded footprint provides INKAS® with greater production flexibility, additional manufacturing capacity, and a stronger operational platform to support both current and future programs across its armored vehicle, tactical platform, drone / UAV, and special purpose vehicle portfolios. The Charlotte facility is specially equipped for armored vehicle production and has access to an experienced workforce with direct expertise in armored vehicle manufacturing, helping accelerate operational scaling without the need to build those capabilities from the ground up.

“This expansion marks an important milestone in the continued growth of INKAS® as a North American manufacturer,” said David Khazanski, CEO of INKAS®. “By adding significant production space across Canada and the United States, we are strengthening our ability to support customers with reliable, scalable, and mission-ready security and defense solutions. This investment reflects our confidence in the long-term demand for advanced protected mobility, unmanned systems, and specialized platforms.”

The new facilities form part of INKAS®’ broader strategy to increase production capacity, improve operational resilience, and support a growing portfolio of armored, tactical, unmanned, and special-purpose solutions. With operations expanding across Toronto, Charlotte, and Fort Pierce, INKAS® is positioned to better serve domestic and international customers while supporting more efficient production, faster program execution, and future growth across key markets.

“Beyond expanding our production footprint, this investment is about creating skilled jobs, supporting local economies, and building long-term manufacturing capability in North America,” said Margarita Simkin, Chairwoman of INKAS®. “As these facilities come online, they will create opportunities for engineers, technicians, production specialists, and support teams across Canada and the United States. We believe that investing in people and manufacturing infrastructure is essential to building a stronger, more resilient security and defense industry.”

For nearly three decades, INKAS® has specialized in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of armored vehicles and advanced security solutions. The company’s portfolio includes discreet armored SUVs and sedans, tactical vehicles, armored personnel carriers, drones / UAVs, cash-in-transit vehicles, and custom-built special-purpose platforms for clients around the world.

Posted in Armoured Vehicles, Made In USA!, Manufacturing, Press Release | No Comments »

Mehler Protection at Eurosatory 2026: From Armoured Mobility to Counter-UAS

Thursday, June 25th, 2026

KÖNIGSLUTTER, FULDA, GERMANY (24 June 2026)

From protected mobility and Counter-UAS technologies to modular body armour systems, Mehler Protection presented a comprehensive portfolio of protection solutions at Eurosatory 2026.

Exhibiting at Hall 5B, Stand C220, the company welcomed military, law enforcement, and industry representatives from around the world, highlighting developments designed to address evolving operational requirements across both vehicle and personal protection domains.

Among the highlights was the first public presentation of the M-RACC KE protected mobility concept, an armoured tractor developed in cooperation with STEYR. Based on the STEYR Terrus CVT platform, the vehicle combines multifunctional work and transport capabilities with certified ballistic, fragmentation, and mine protection in accordance with STANAG 4569 and AEP-55 requirements. Designed for demanding operational environments, it supports tasks such as engineering operations, route clearance, infrastructure repair, logistics, and the restoration of damaged areas where ballistic threats, unexploded ordnance, fragmentation hazards, or mines may still be present.

The exhibition also featured SCILT, Mehler Protection’s close-range Counter-UAS system designed to protect vehicles against FPV drones, loitering munitions, and other aerial threats approaching from short distances and low angles. Developed as a dedicated last layer of vehicle protection, SCILT addresses a growing capability gap between conventional air-defence systems and passive armour solutions.

Alongside its platform protection portfolio, Mehler Protection showcased a comprehensive range of personal protection solutions for military and law enforcement applications.

Among the key exhibits was the latest generation of the ExoM Exoskeleton, a passive load-bearing system designed to reduce operator burden while maintaining mobility under heavy loads. Visitors also explored the full M.U.S.T. configuration, demonstrating how the modular protection system can be adapted and scaled according to mission requirements.

Additional exhibits included the MOBAST protective vest system developed for the German Armed Forces, covert and overt body armour systems, waistcoats, plate carriers, soft- and hard-ballistic protection solutions, ballistic helmets, and shields.

Learn more about Mehler Protection at mehler-protection.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Armoured Vehicles, C-UAS, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Team Boxer UK Delivers 100th Boxer Vehicle for the British Army

Thursday, June 25th, 2026

Built in Britain for Britain: Landmark milestone showcases UK manufacturing excellence, sovereign capability and defence readiness

Telford, UK – 25 June 2026 – Team Boxer UK has reached a major programme milestone with the delivery of the 100th Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) to the UK Ministry of Defence, demonstrating the successful mobilisation of sovereign manufacturing capability and the continued momentum of one of the UK’s most important land defence programmes.

Built in Britain for Britain, Boxer is providing the British Army with a highly protected, modular and adaptable vehicle that will form a key element of the Army’s future warfighting capability.

Reaching the 100-vehicle milestone marks a significant achievement for the programme, highlighting the successful establishment of two UK production facilities, the growth of a nationwide supply chain and the enduring partnership between government, industry and the Armed Forces. It is a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when international collaboration is combined with British industrial expertise.

The programme is delivered through collaboration between Rheinmetall, KNDS, the British Army, the National Armaments Director Group (NAD Group), Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), OCCAR and the ARTEC consortium, alongside a network of UK supply chain partners. Together, they are delivering a critical capability for the Army’s future force while strengthening the UK’s sovereign industrial base.

The milestone is a testament to the dedication and expertise of hundreds of engineers, technicians, apprentices, programme specialists, military personnel and supply chain partners working across the United Kingdom to deliver this vital capability for the British Army.

Martyn Williams, Senior Responsible Owner for Boxer at the NAD Group, said:

“The delivery of the 100th Boxer to the UK Ministry of Defence is a significant milestone and reflects the tremendous work done by OCCAR, ARTEC, KNDS, Rheinmetall, the NAD Group and wider MOD to establish two UK Boxer production lines and the broad supply chains across the UK. The international collaboration through OCCAR and ARTEC has seen technology transfer to the UK, building on the UK’s proud history of armoured vehicle manufacturing.”

Rebecca Richards, Managing Director of Rheinmetall UK, said:

“Reaching the 100-vehicle milestone is a significant achievement for the teams delivering Boxer in the UK. It reflects the dedication and expertise of our workforce, suppliers and partners, whose contribution is helping to build long-term manufacturing capacity and strengthen sovereign industrial capability. Boxer is creating lasting skills and investment while delivering a world-class capability for the British Army and supporting prosperity across the UK.”

Tony Webb, Operations Director at KNDS UK, added:

“The delivery of the 100th Boxer vehicle demonstrates the value of long-term investment in sovereign defence capability and the strength of the UK’s defence industrial base. Programmes such as Boxer sustain critical skills, support SMEs across a resilient national supply chain and drive investment in advanced manufacturing. This milestone reflects the power of collaboration between government, industry and international partners to generate lasting strategic advantage for the UK.”

Boxer vehicles are manufactured in the United Kingdom at Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) in Telford and KNDS UK in Stockport, showcasing the strength of British defence manufacturing and the UK’s ability to deliver complex armoured vehicle programmes on home soil.

Through its extensive UK supply chain, the programme is helping to sustain and develop critical industrial skills, support regional economic growth and strengthen the manufacturing capability needed to meet future defence requirements.

As vehicles continue to enter service, Boxer will provide British Army formations with enhanced mobility, protection and operational flexibility across a wide range of missions and operating environments.

Beyond delivering a world-class military capability, the programme supports highly skilled employment, apprenticeships and advanced engineering expertise across the United Kingdom.

From design and assembly through to supply chain integration and support, Boxer demonstrates the UK’s ability to manufacture and deliver complex armoured vehicle programmes at scale on home soil.

The delivery of the 100th Boxer represents more than a production milestone. It is a celebration of the people, partnerships and industrial expertise that have made the programme possible. Built in Britain for Britain, Boxer demonstrates how international collaboration, British engineering excellence and long-term industrial investment can come together to deliver world-class capability for the Armed Forces.

As Team Boxer UK celebrates this achievement, work continues to deliver the programme and support the modernisation of the British Army’s future land capability.

Posted in Armoured Vehicles, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Team LionStrike Introduces the Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty (HD) to the UK Defence Market

Wednesday, May 13th, 2026

LONDON, U.K. – Team LionStrike—the strategic collaboration between GM Defence, BAE Systems, and NP Aerospace formed to strengthen the operational readiness of the British Armed Forces with safer, more capable, and cost-effective light utility and tactical vehicles—announced today that its proposal to the U.K.

Ministry of Defence for the Land Mobility Programme will now include the Chevrolet Silverado HD – one of the most high-performing vehicles ever built by General Motors. The Silverado HD will be shown today at Team LionStrike’s “From Proven Heritage to Present Power” event at the prestigious Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Equipped with a 6.6-litre Duramax turbodiesel V8 that produces 1,322 Nm of torque, the Silverado HD is built for serious work. In the 2500HD version, that translates to up to 9,997 kg of towing and 1,860 kg of payload, while the 3500HD (single rear wheel variant) pushes capability even further with almost 10,000 kg of towing and over 2 metric tonnes of payload.

Critically, the spacious internal capacity offers sufficient room to both transport and concurrently operate inside the vehicle with the kit and equipment required by modern-day warfighters. The logistic load space is also significant (up to 2.1m x 1.9m) enabling NATO pallet transportation.

Team LionStrike’s proposal also includes:

– The Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), a light, agile, and air-transportable troop carrier derived from the Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck that is designed to give infantry combat teams rapid mobility across complex terrain. The ISV has been selected by the armed forces of Canada and the United States as they have modernised their equipment, bringing capability, scalability, and affordability relative to bespoke military platforms.

– The Chevrolet Silverado LD pickup equipped with the 3.0-litre Duramax turbodiesel for strong low-end torque with proven capability. It delivers 671 Nm of torque and up to 6804 kg of towing and 1000 kg payload for demanding work across long distances.

“Team LionStrike’s approach — leveraging the depth, experience and highly-skilled U.K.-based workforce of BAE Systems and NP Aerospace to modify, integrate, homologate, and support vehicles built in North America by GM — is the fastest, lowest-cost path to put modern vehicles into the hands of British soldiers,” said Gilbert Nelson, Vice President, International Sales and Marketing, GM Defence. “Our foundation is commercial, off-the-shelf technology with a proven track record of quality, durability, and capability that can be OEM-adapted to meet emerging requirements. That’s how we will rapidly enhance the operational readiness of the British Armed Forces and reduce the cost and complexity of equipping, training, and deploying troops.”

The success of the Chevrolet Silverado family, together with its sister brand GMC, has made General Motors’ full-size pickups the U.S. industry leader, with more than 5 million trucks delivered over the last five years.

The Silverados and ISVs will not be the first GM trucks to support British troops. For more than a century, the designers, engineers, and manufacturing team at General Motors have delivered vehicles that have proven their quality, durability, and capability in military theatres all over the world.

1GM was the largest supplier to the U.S. armed forces during World War II, and Chevrolet and GMC trucks were the backbone of critical operations like the Red Ball Express, the massive logistic operation that supported Allied forces as they pursued the enemy forces after D-Day. In addition, the British Army’s Long Range Desert Group, an elite reconnaissance and raiding unit, relied on the Chevrolet 30 CWT to operate deep behind enemy lines in North Africa from 1940–1943. One of the Long Range Desert Group’s trucks was recovered from the Egyptian desert in 1980 and is now in the collection of the Imperial War Museum, and there have been replicas built of the Chevrolet 30 CWT to celebrate and preserve the heritage of the unit – one of which was on display at the event.

Posted in Armoured Vehicles, International, Mobility, Press Release | Comments Off on Team LionStrike Introduces the Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty (HD) to the UK Defence Market

INKAS Introduces the M1 MRAP, a First-of-Its-Kind Canadian-French NATO-Aligned Armored Platform

Thursday, April 30th, 2026

Toronto, Canada, April 30, 2026 – INKAS® has introduced the INKAS® M1 MRAP, a next-generation mine-resistant armored vehicle developed through a strategic Canadian–French defense collaboration with KNDS Mobility. Integrating a proven French mobility architecture with Canadian armored vehicle engineering and systems integration, the M1 represents a first-of-its-kind NATO-aligned MRAP platform designed to strengthen interoperability across allied forces.

Purpose-built for high-threat conditions, the M1 provides comprehensive 360-degree ballistic and blast protection in accordance with NATO STANAG standards, while maintaining the high mobility required for operations across complex terrain. The vehicle balances survivability, maneuverability, and mission adaptability, enabling forces to operate with confidence in contested environments.

Designed as a modular multi-role platform, the M1 can be configured for a range of mission profiles, including troop transport, command and control, reconnaissance, medical evacuation, and specialized operational support. This adaptability allows defense forces to deploy a single platform capable of supporting evolving operational requirements across multiple mission sets.

“The M1 reflects how allied partners can combine their industrial expertise to deliver meaningful operational capability,” said David Khazanski, CEO of INKAS®. “By integrating Canadian armored vehicle engineering with a proven French mobility system, we have developed a platform designed for full NATO compatibility while strengthening defense cooperation between our countries.”

The introduction of the M1 also reflects INKAS®’s growing role as a systems integrator within the allied defense ecosystem, bringing together international engineering expertise, NATO-aligned components, and mission-driven design into a deployable armored Platform.

As NATO partners continue to modernize their land forces, the INKAS® M1 MRAP offers a new interoperable solution built through trusted allied collaboration and engineered to meet the operational demands of modern defense forces.

Posted in Armoured Vehicles, Press Release | 1 Comment »

INKAS Unveils Its First Armored Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II, Changing the Ultra-Luxury Segment

Tuesday, April 21st, 2026

INKAS® is proud to announce the release of its first-ever armored Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion into next-generation ultra-luxury vehicle platforms.

As one of the most refined SUVs in the world, the Cullinan Series II represents the pinnacle of automotive craftsmanship. INKAS® enhances this platform with a fully integrated armoring solution, engineered to deliver comprehensive protection while preserving the vehicle’s original design, performance, and driving experience.

At the core of the build is a precision-engineered armored capsule, providing 360° ballistic protection through the integration of certified ballistic steel, multi-layer armored glass, and advanced overlap systems. These systems are designed to eliminate vulnerable gaps, ensuring consistent protection across all critical areas of the vehicle.

Unlike conventional armored vehicles, the INKAS® Cullinan Series II maintains a completely discreet appearance. Without any visible modifications interfering with the exterior styling or interior refinement, allowing occupants to benefit from enhanced security without drawing attention.

“Armoring a vehicle like the Cullinan Series II requires a meticulous balance between protection and preservation,” said David Khazanski, CEO of INKAS®. “Our engineering approach ensures that every protective element is seamlessly integrated, maintaining the integrity of Rolls-Royce design while delivering the level of security our clients expect.”

To support the added weight of the armoring system, INKAS® upgrades critical performance components, including suspension and braking systems, ensuring the vehicle retains its smooth handling characteristics and ride quality. Each vehicle undergoes rigorous quality control and testing processes to meet international armoring standards and internal performance benchmarks.

This latest release reflects INKAS®’s continued commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and client-focused engineering. By combining advanced protection technologies with one of the world’s most prestigious luxury platforms, INKAS® delivers a solution that enhances both safety and long-term vehicle value.

Posted in Armoured Vehicles, International, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Textron Systems Awarded $450M Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) Pre-Production Development (PPD) Award by US Marine Corps

Wednesday, April 8th, 2026

SLIDELL, La., April 2, 2026 – Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today that it was awarded a $450M Pre-Production Development (PPD) agreement for the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) program by the U.S. Marine Corps. Under this agreement, Textron Systems will deliver 16 Cottonmouth® pre-production vehicles (PPVs), three systems integration labs (SILs) and four blast hulls.

The Cottonmouth ARV PPV will be delivered in three variants: C4UAS, 30mm, and Logistics (LOG). Designed to enhance the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) framework, these vehicles prioritize mobility, survivability, and adaptability. Rigorous government-led testing will follow delivery to validate performance and verify program requirements. The Cottonmouth C4UAS was designed to act as the battlefield quarterback and naval sensor node within the force structure, enabling transformation to how the Marine Corps communicate and fight, providing superior maneuverability while offering a synergized sensor system. A purpose-built vehicle system, the C4UAS will serve as the crewed platform base for robotic and autonomous systems integration, enabling advanced situational awareness. The 30mm variant offers direct fire support and anti-armor capability, while the LOG variant will be optimized for field supply and support. Over the last several years, Textron Systems has delivered C4UAS and 30mm prototype vehicles, as well as SILs, for Marine Corps testing and evaluation, providing valuable insights into design and performance for risk reduction. During this time, Textron Systems worked closely with the USMC to propose a Cottonmouth ARV offering that is aligned with Force Design 2030. 

“Starting as a clean-sheet design in 2019 and shaped by the voice of the customer, the Cottonmouth vehicle is poised to transform the Marine Corps’ reconnaissance missions with adaptability, mobility and as a battlefield quarterback for the USMC,” said David Phillips, Senior Vice President Air, Land and Sea Systems. “Textron Systems invested early on in prototype vehicles to reduce risk and increase maturity for the warfighter. The system design considers today’s mission requirements while also employing a Modular Open System Architecture that enables ease of future integration for the future needs of the USMC, embodying the very essence of innovation and partnership that define us as an organization.

“This achievement solidifies Textron Systems’ role as a key partner in advancing the Marine Corps’ mission capabilities,” added Zach Bupp, Vice President Land Systems. “We’re proud of the innovative, purpose-built capabilities we’ll be delivering and look forward to continuing our partnership with the Marines over the next several years.”

Built at Textron Systems’ manufacturing facility in Slidell, LA, the Cottonmouth ARV represents decades of heritage and expertise in ground vehicle design and manufacturing. Engineering and design work will also occur in Hunt Valley, MD.

Posted in Armoured Vehicles, Contracts, Press Release, USMC | Comments Off on Textron Systems Awarded $450M Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) Pre-Production Development (PPD) Award by US Marine Corps

« Older Entries