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USAF, Army Integrate Air Defense Capabilities During Freedom Shield 26

Monday, April 20th, 2026

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) —

The 51st Security Forces Squadron and 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade conducted joint training during exercise Freedom Shield 26 at Osan Air Base, March 9-13.

During the exercise, the 51st SFS and 35th ADA worked together to detect and respond to a simulated hostile drone approaching the installation, using a U.S. Army AN/TWQ-1 Avenger to identify, track and engage the simulated aerial threat.

“This training integrated Army air defense capabilities into the base defense plan,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ty Waits, Echo Battery, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment Avenger platoon leader. “By working alongside Air Force security forces, we ensure we can rapidly respond to aerial threats and protect the installation.”

The Avenger is a mobile air defense platform equipped with Stinger missiles designed to counter low-altitude threats, such as drones and aircraft.

Integrating the Avengers system into Osan’s defensive posture strengthens the base’s layered defense strategy.

“Our goal is to defend the installation against smaller aerial threats so higher-level systems can focus on larger threats,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christian Natal, 51st Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of wartime plans.

Natal emphasized the increasing prevalence of small unmanned aerial systems in modern conflicts, highlighting the importance that defenders train against them. Training scenarios like this ensure personnel can quickly detect, track and respond to potential unmanned aircraft incursions.

The training additionally emphasized the use of man-portable air defense teams, or MANPADs. If the Avenger platform becomes inoperable, the crews can remove the Stinger missile pods and deploy them as mobile teams capable of moving across the installation with security forces patrols.

This flexibility allows defenders to reposition quickly and maintain air defense coverage across the base.

Joint exercises like this strengthen coordination between U.S. Army and Air Force units and improve readiness against evolving threats.

“As drones and other unmanned systems become more common on the battlefield, training like this ensures we are prepared to defend the base and protect the mission,” Natal said. “Continued joint training helps ensure forces remain ready to respond to emerging threats in a dynamic security environment.”

By SSgt Tylir Meyer

51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Army, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

Paratroopers Train with Anti-Drone Ammunition

Saturday, April 18th, 2026

US Army Soldiers assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps train and familiarize themselves with the 5.56mm L-variant Drone Round to counter small unmanned arial systems at Oak Grove Training Center, N.C., April 9, 2026. The 5.56mm L-variant Drone Round is designed to neutralize sUAS by volume of fire and projectiles.

US Army video by SGT Kamar Williams

Posted in Ammo, Army, C-UAS, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

US Army Selects Vector AI for Brigade Combat Teams

Friday, April 17th, 2026

Quantum Systems’ Vector AI will support U.S. Army modernization and future Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) capabilities for Brigade Combat Teams

Moorpark, California (USA), April 15, 2026 – Quantum Systems Inc., the US entity of Quantum Systems, today announced that Vector AI has been selected for the U.S. Army’s Company-Level sUAS Directed Requirement (DR) 2 initiative under a contract valued at $15.3 million. Vector AI will accelerate the delivery of advanced aerial intelligence capabilities to Brigade Combat Teams of the U.S. Army.

The effort is a key component of the Army’s modernization strategy to rapidly field commercially available unmanned systems to Soldiers while informing the development of its future Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) program, which will define the next generation of tactical unmanned aircraft systems for maneuver units.

Vector AI was selected following a competitive evaluation process that assessed aircraft performance, payload integration, and interoperability with emerging Army software architectures. The program reflects the Army’s push to rapidly field operationally proven, commercially available systems that can evolve alongside future requirements while delivering immediate operational capability to forces at the tactical edge.

“Today’s battlefield demands unmanned systems that are adaptable, resilient, and proven in real-world operations,” said Dave Sharpin, CEO of Quantum-Systems Inc. “The Vector platform has logged more than 20,000 operational flight hours in Ukraine alone where operational use has helped refine its autonomy and mission adaptability in contested environments. Its modular architecture and open integration approach align directly with the Army’s push toward interoperable, rapidly evolving capabilities.”

Vector AI delivers real-time tactical intelligence to maneuver forces through an electric vertical take-off and landing design that combines runway-independent launch and recovery with the endurance and efficiency of fixed-wing flight. Deployable by a single operator in under five minutes, the compact system supports reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition through AI-enabled mission planning, advanced electro-optical sensing, and vision-based targeting.

Designed for contested environments, Vector AI incorporates anti-jamming features and a multi-layered GPS denied navigation stack to support visual navigation and precision targeting functionalities that work completely independently from GPS. Its modular, open architecture enables rapid payload integration and interoperability with external systems such as TAK and other battlefield management systems, enabling units to detect, track, and develop targets while maintaining situational awareness across the operational area.

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

US Army Best Ranger Competition Integrates Live Drone Threats in Historic First, Selects Powerus’ Tandem Defense Matrix-T for Targets

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

Elite 75th Ranger Regiment teams train against real one-way attack drone threats using Powerus-backed Matrix-T platforms

Powerus recently announced a proposed merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: AGH), positioning Powerus to become publicly traded upon completion

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. and FORT MOORE, Ga., April 15, 2026 — The battlefield has changed, and now, so has the U.S. Army’s toughest competition.

Powerus, through its wholly owned subsidiary Tandem Defense LLC, today announced that the Matrix-Ttarget drone was selected and successfully fielded for the inaugural “Last Line of Defense” training lane at the 42nd Annual U.S. Army David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition (April 10-12, 2026).

This marked the first time live FPV drones were integrated into the competition, introducing a new “Last Line of Defense” scored training lane in which elite Army Ranger teams were forced to detect, track, and destroy fast-moving aerial targets with direct fire from their service rifles. The addition of FPV target drones gave America’s premier Rangers realistic, high-fidelity training against modern one-way attack-drone threats, using an American-made FPV solution from Powerus.

The Matrix-T is a purpose-built small FPV target drone engineered specifically for U.S. military counter-drone training. It accurately replicates the speed, agility, and flight behavior of operational enemy FPV systems, mirroring modern battlefield warfare, and allowing U.S. troops to practice defeating dynamic aerial threats with service rifles when electronic warfare layers are degraded or unavailable. With top speeds up to 130 mph and 2 kg payload capacity, the Matrix-T delivers authentic threat emulation in a rugged, repairable, low-cost package.

Elite Validation and Proven Performance Under Extreme Conditions

The Best Ranger Competition is one of the most demanding tests of soldier performance in the U.S. Army. This year’s winners from the 75th Ranger Regiment demonstrated exceptional adaptability and precision under pressure.

Powerus and Tandem Defense supplied multiple Matrix-T drones to support approximately 40 elite Ranger teams. Only five drones were expended across the entire high-intensity event and rehearsals. Leveraging the innovative solder-free Matrix Architecture (developed by Tandem Defense), downed drones were rapidly diagnosed, repaired, and returned to flight using only a single screwdriver. This field repairability reduces the average cost-per-engagement for U.S. soldiers’ training, offering a dramatically more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to disposable foreign systems.

The Matrix T performance underscores a critical reality: success on tomorrow’s battlefield will depend on the ability to counter drone threats at the individual soldier level.

Advancing American Military Readiness

By integrating the Matrix-T, the Best Ranger Competition set a new standard for counter-UAS training: shifting from static targets to fast-moving, realistic aerial threats that mirror those faced on today’s battlefields. Selecting a domestic, repairable platform reduces reliance on foreign supply chains and empowers soldiers to maintain their own training assets with minimal logistics support. The Matrix-T drones delivered realistic threat profiles, including: High-speed FPV attack runs, unpredictable maneuvering, and real-world engagement distances.

This forced competitors to adapt in real time, just as they would when layered counter-UAS defenses fail, and the individual soldier becomes the final line of defense.

“Matrix-T gives soldiers a low-cost way to train for the real fight,” said Brett Velicovich, founder of Powerus. “If you’re not training against realistic FPV drone threats, you’re not ready for today’s battlefield.”

Powerus congratulates the winners of the 2026 Best Ranger Competition: Sgt. Drew Schorsch and Spc. Caleb Godbold from the 75th Ranger Regiment. Their triumph, which is the Regiment’s sixth consecutive victory, exemplifies the skill and adaptability of America’s elite light infantry. The strong performance across all teams in the new drone defense lane further demonstrates the growing importance of realistic, hands-on counter-drone training.

Availability

The Matrix-T target drones are available for immediate purchase and ready to ship to U.S. military and allied units building or expanding counter-drone training programs. Units receive preprogrammed and pre-tuned systems, providing a reliable, fully domestic, and highly maintainable solution for preparing warfighters against proliferating one-way attack drones. Learn more at www.power.us or www.tandemdefense.com.

About Powerus
Powerus builds and scales unified autonomous systems architecture designed to move, protect, and sustain critical assets in high-risk environments. The company is building next-generation autonomous drone infrastructure and technologies for defense and critical infrastructure, positioning Powerus to support the rapidly expanding global demand for AI-enabled autonomy, defense systems, and modern battlefield capabilities. Production is scaled through U.S.-based manufacturing and strategic partners to support mission requirements. For more information, visit www.power.us.

Posted in Army, Drone, Press Release | No Comments »

US Army Announces Popular Name for the MV-75 FLRAA: “Cheyenne II”

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The U.S. Army announced today that its next-generation multi-role vertical lift aircraft, the MV-75 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, will carry the Native American name “Cheyenne II”.

The announcement was made during the Army Aviation Association of America’s annual conference on April 15, 2026, where the MV-75 Mission Design Series was unveiled. The new platform represents a leap forward in technology and capability, combining speed, payload, and survivability in ways never before achieved in a single aircraft.

Developed as FLRAA, the MV-75 Cheyenne II delivers pivotal aviation capabilities to the Joint Force, flying twice as far and twice as fast as the current rotary aviation fleet. This medium-sized, multi-role aircraft combines the versatility of a helicopter with the speed and range of an airplane, making it a game changer for Army aviation.

“The Cheyenne people represent a resilient warrior culture and embody the key attributes of the MV-75 – speed, reach, lethality, and adaptability,” said the HON Brent Ingraham, Army Acquisition Executive. “I am honored to be part of this historic occasion as we officially name our multi-mission tiltrotor aircraft.”

The Cheyenne tribes, known for their adaptability, resilience, and strong warrior culture, inhabited the Great Plains for over 400 years. They were proficient hunters and gatherers, thriving in harsh environments and developing a social structure that allowed them to relocate quickly and efficiently. Today, the Cheyenne are divided into two federally recognized tribes: the Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes in Oklahoma and the Northern Cheyenne tribe in Montana.

“Representing the future of Army aviation, the MV-75 embodies the strength and versatility of the Cheyenne tribes,” said MG Clair Gill, Portfolio Acquisition Executive and commanding general at Fort Rucker, Ala. “This aircraft will revolutionize how the Army fights and wins, delivering unmatched capabilities to the Joint Force and ensuring we maintain a decisive advantage on the battlefield.”

The Army followed a deliberate and disciplined process in evaluating nominations of more than 500 tribes, Native American figures, and terms before selecting the name “Cheyenne II”. The name was previously used in the late 1960s for the AH-56 Cheyenne, which was developed to be an advanced, high-speed attack helicopter. While the AH-56 program did not move forward, its legacy of innovation and speed lives on in the new tiltrotor platform.

“This is a historic day for our MV-75 Cheyenne II team and the Army,” said Rodney Davis, Capability Program Executive, Aviation. “Stakeholders across the Army aviation enterprise were deeply involved in the research and analysis during the naming process. We are proud to honor the Cheyenne tribes and their legacy.”

The MV-75 Cheyenne II will dramatically expand the Army’s operational reach, enabling long-range air assault missions from safer distances. Built with a Modular Open Systems Approach and a plug-and-play digital backbone, the aircraft is “engineered to evolve,” allowing for seamless integration of advanced technologies throughout its lifecycle. With fly-by-wire technologies and advanced autonomy, the Cheyenne II is designed to meet the challenges of future battlefields.

“The MV-75 is a transformational aircraft that will provide our Joint Force with unparalleled versatility to dominate a wide array of mission sets,” said Col. Jeffrey Poquette, Project Manager for the MV-75 Cheyenne II. “We are honored to have the Cheyenne tribes’ approval to use their name, which embodies the power of this aircraft.”

As the Army modernizes for the future, the MV-75 Cheyenne II is a key component in ensuring the Army of the future maintains a decisive advantage on an evolving battlefield.

By U.S. Army Public Affairs

Posted in Army, Aviation, Press Release | 1 Comment »

101st Electronic Warfare Soldiers Operate the TEWS-I ISV at JRTC

Wednesday, April 15th, 2026

US Army Soldiers, Electronic Warfare, assigned to the 3rd Mobile Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) maneuver an Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) equipped with the Tactical Electronic Warfare System–Infantry (TEWS?I) while on a training mission at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana, April 10, 2026. An ISV with the TEWS?I package conducts mobile electromagnetic sensing, giving light infantry units the ability to detect, identify, and disrupt enemy signals while maneuvering across complex terrain.

TEWS-I integrated into the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), making it the first EW capability mounted on this light utility platform. This gives infantry squads a “middleweight” EW system—more powerful than man-portable gear but lighter and faster than heavy vehicle systems.

US Army video by MSG Anthony Hewitt

Posted in Army, CEMA, EW, Guest Post | No Comments »

US Army Awards Contracts for Mounted PNT NorthStar Solution

Tuesday, April 14th, 2026

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD – Project Manager Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PM PNT) is pleased to announce the Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground award of two Other Transaction Authority (OTAs) via a C5 prototyping project for a mounted PNT NorthStar solution to IS4S and GPS Source. With an estimated value of up to $41 million and 36-month period of performance, the OTAs enable the selected vendors to develop next generation of mounted Assured PNT capability that’s modular and upgradable for Army 2040 ground-based platforms.

“We’re excited to move into the next phase of NorthStar with this award,” said Chris Jais, project manager, PM PNT. “We’re confident that with our vendor partners, we’ll introduce an affordable, MOSA-compliant product with next-generation capability into our family of open solutions and continue to bring upgradable and scalable APNT products to soldiers in the field.”

PM PNT’s Modernization product office introduced the NorthStar effort in August 2023 via a virtual event and release of an RFI that received 27 vendor responses. These responses informed PM PNT’s decision to solicit industry for the design of tiers of capability that would offer a range of non-radio frequency technologies to outpace the threat of Army 2040; the responses, combined with tech evaluations and review of white papers, also led to the organization deciding to ultimately award a NorthStar OTA to more than one vendor.

“Awarding to multiple vendors encourages competition, speeds up implementation and integration of new technology to meet emerging threats, and reduces cost of engineering change proposals,” said Erik Scott, product manager for PNT Modernization. “Prioritizing a modular system design for hardware and software ensures the best value for the government and the best solution for our Warfighters.”

Contract kickoffs with each vendor are scheduled for next month with design review and a soldier touchpoint to follow.

For more information on PM PNT, visit the PM PNT page on the Capability Program Executive Intelligence and Spectrum Warfare website cpeisw.army.mil/pm-pnt.

Posted in Army, C5ISR, Contracts, Press Release | No Comments »

US Army Yuma Proving Ground Showcases Latest Airdrop Technology in Large Demonstration

Monday, April 13th, 2026

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground’s Yuma Test Center (YTC) demonstrated the most cutting-edge developments of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC) for an entire week in March.

More than 300 participants from the United States and 11 different partner nations attended the event, necessitating a massive effort by YTC personnel to accommodate the visitors.

“At least 100 people at YPG have played a role in planning or executing this mission,” said Edgar Hurtado, Air Delivery Branch Team Lead. “There are a couple of technologies that we are seeing for the first time, but really we wanted to showcase this to the U.S. and partner nations.”

The wide array of cutting-edge cargo and personnel parachute technologies brought a significant number of personnel from the airdrop community together in one place to exchange ideas. Virtually all of these systems have undergone extensive testing at YPG, or will be soon, particularly in the realm of powered cargo systems.

“There are a lot of aerial denial capabilities by adversary forces,” said Hurtado. “When we have forces within an aerial denial bubble, it gets hard to resupply them with ammo, food, water, and equipment. The idea is to drop something outside of that bubble and have that powered system fly into there and resupply our troops with accuracy.”

Personnel parachutes were an important aspect of the demonstration as well.

“We’ve been working on a project for interoperability between the U.S. T-11 main parachute and the European A400M transport plane,” said Hurtado. “For this big test week, we invited a lot of international partners to showcase the interoperability that we already have. The Army already has safety confirmations for the Low Velocity Airdrop System platforms for heavy equipment like vehicles and fuel blivets and Container Delivery System that often contains food, ammo, and water.”

“We’re in the middle of making a new update to the T-11 personnel parachute,” added Lt. Col. Kevin Hicks, YTC Commander. “We demonstrated a mass tactical exit of an aircraft on two days. We have glide modifications, long-range GPS-guided delivery packages: you name it, we have it.”

Yet YPG’s size alone does not account for its elite standing in the air delivery community: While other ranges might have the air space to conduct an event like this, they are not specifically designed to do it with the infrastructure and standard operating procedures to coordinate multiple sorties safely.

“We have a one kilometer by seven kilometer drop zone that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the country,” said Ross Gwynn, YPG Technical Director. “All of the instrumentation coupled with that can collect all the data testers need in an experiment. Within the decelerator community, YPG is at the tip of the spear in advancing those capabilities and providing the performance data that they need to continue iterating.”

The demonstration site consisted of a set of bleachers under an awning and several large tents, all overlooking an immensely desolate drop zone bordered by distant mountains. As each system was demonstrated, narrators addressed the crowd over a loudspeaker. With multiple sorties per day, each with multiple airdrop passes, spectators did not want for parachute action. The event provided a prime opportunity for engineers and military officers from different allied nations to discuss the state-of-the-art technology, both for inspiration and to avoid unnecessary duplication of existing ideas.

“This demonstration is really showcasing where the Army is moving when it comes to contested and congested logistics,” said Hicks. “It’s ensuring we’re putting out the best kit to the warfighters that we can.”

By Mark Schauer

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Parachuting | No Comments »