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Army Forges Partnership with Pennsylvania Companies to Create Next Generation Small Arms Gun Barrel

Tuesday, March 17th, 2026

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. – Army armament engineers here partnered with a pair of Pennsylvania companies, one with alloy expertise and the other with forging metals, to deliver a capable barrel for the Army’s next generation of small arms.

Carpenter Technology developed the alloy and Geissele Automatics (also known as GWYNEDD) developed the production techniques for the barrels, while the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Armaments Center provided the expertise in gun technology to deliver an innovation that is key to meeting the required capability.

This novel barrel design, created as part of two separate CRADAs (Cooperative Research and Development Agreements) between the Armaments Center, Geissele and Carpenter, relies on the alloy, GNB 200, which provides Army small caliber next generation weapons with higher tensile strength and, with it, better wear resistance.

This advancement came after several projects focusing specifically on barrel technology over the past decade.

According to general engineer Daniel Cler, the design’s principal investigator, DEVCOM had tested several “high alloy barrel materials” over the decade, seeking to help alleviate pressure buildup, corrosion and mechanical wear as next-generation weapons maintain significantly higher-pressure than their legacy counterparts, this could in turn worsen barrel wear.

In the past several years, the U.S. Army has attempted to shift away from using hazardous heavy metals such as hexavalent chromium coatings, which is still renowned for its longevity, but is known to cause significant health problems in production when hexavalent chromium is in solution.

Seeking to replace hexavelant chrome coatings with barrel materials that provide good wear and corrosion performance without coatings, the Army has performed research into a plethora of different metals. However, many of these materials were too hard to cold hammer forge, a method that is the current manufacturing technology for most military small arms. Because of this, the Armaments Center was refocusing on hammer forging and materials that were compatible with the process when it signed both CRADAs in 2022.

GNB 200 is, per Carpenter Technology’s website, a “premium remelted alloy steel specially formulated for high temperature wear resistance.” According to Cler, GNB 200 is near the upper limit of what can reliably be cold-hammer forged.

Carpenter Technology was already highly familiar with GNB 200, and as such provided samples for testing, along with several other materials. The Armaments Center gave guidance, processed information, provided support for analysis and result documentation and carried out accelerated wear testing for proposed alloys.

Work with Geissele focused on manufacturability and feasibility. Geissele cold hammer forged the barrels themselves, provided input and direction for coating alternatives and specifications, performed testing on barrels, and processed parameters on manufacturability. In this stage, the Armaments Center gave its expertise on barrel technologies, provided ammunition for testing and performed project oversight.

The parties involved tested the barrels in an M240L machine guns over the project’s third and final year, which ended in spring 2025. The material showed much better performance than the standard M240L barrel and now informs future Army next generation weapons.

GNB 200 continues to inform the next generation of Army small caliber weapons.Though the CRADA with Carpenter Technology has expired, DEVCOM renewed its CRADA with Geissele for another three years to continue development of barrel coatings.

A CRADA is a written agreement between one or more federal laboratories and one or more non-federal parties to work together on research or development.

The GNB 200 hammer forged barrel is not the only project made in collaboration with Geissele. The pair also collaborated on developing a new rifle profile which has been shown to further reduce wear and improve dispersion. This profile received United States Patent 12,203,716 B2 on Jan. 21, 2025.

Cler said he was most proud of seeing a project he worked on informed next generation systems. He also noted how important it is to have some influence upon the industry in the correct direction, though he lamented not being able to get involved earlier.

“CRADA’s are a good way to influence industry so that as systems are developed to meet Army requirements, industry is ready to jump in with better solutions that are more aligned with the Army,” he said.

By Tyler Barth

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Manufacturing, Materials, Weapon Accessories | 2 Comments »

US Army Files Trademark Application for M8 Carbine

Tuesday, March 17th, 2026

In late January the US Army filed a trademark application with the US Patent and Trademark Office for the term “M8” for all categories of firearms. As SSD revealed yesterday, the US Army issued an experimental type classification of XM8 to the Carbine version of the M7 Rifle.

The XM8 Carbine has been making the rounds. Above you can see a member of the Army Marksmanship Unit coaching a VIP on the range. In case you were wondering, this one is outfitted with the Vortex “Eleanor” AMG 1-10x optic and the B.E. Meyers’ MAWL-X1 aiming laser. In the background you can see an M7 equipped with the XM157 Next Generation Squad Weapons – Fire Control.

Posted in Advertiser, Army, weapons | 2 Comments »

US Army Designates Carbine Version of M7 NGSW Rifle as XM8

Monday, March 16th, 2026

Last month, the US Army designated the XM8 and issued a national stock number: NSN 1005-01-737-3402. Featuring an 10″ barrel, the XM8 (bottom carbine) weighs 7.3 lbs versus the 8.3 lbs of the M7 carbine with 13.5″ barrel (top rifle). These weights are weapon only and do not include suppressor and optic.

Developed by SIG SAUER as part of the Product Improvement Effort, it is a carbine version of the M7 Rifle. Along with the M250 Automatic Rifle, these weapons are being issued to the US Army’s close combat forces (think infantry, etc) as part of the Next Generation Squad Weapon program. They are chambered to fire 6.8 x 51mm composite case ammunition.

Although the main changes to the XM8 carbine are the shorter, tapered barrel, it also eliminates the side folding buttstock for a fixed, telescoping stock like the M4, and features a few changes in the upper receiver group to eliminate weight.

Many had anticipated the PIE variant to be designated as the M7A1 but this move falls more in line with the M16 and M4 as distinct weapons. Perhaps we will see an M7A1 yet.

Considering the Carbine has been given an M designation it looks like there’s a good chance that it will be adopted for issue to at least some of the force.

Posted in Army, weapons | 50 Comments »

US Army Activates CPE Mission Autonomy

Monday, March 16th, 2026

FORT BELVOIR, Va. – Last month the Army officially activated the Capability Program Executive Office for Mission Autonomy, in a ceremony at the U.S. Army National Museum. Presiding over the ceremony was the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Maneuver Air, Maj. Gen. Clair Gill.

Gill kicked off the event by remarking on the newly established CPE Mission Autonomy’s mission and its eventual impact across the Army.

“CPE Mission Autonomy is working to revolutionize U.S. Army operations, and by extension the very art of maneuver,” said Gill. “Teams from across the CPE are set to work with every portfolio in our Army.”

CPE Mission Autonomy is preparing to transform military operations by developing interconnected unmanned systems that can operate autonomously. Gill went on to discuss the benefits of developing autonomous platforms and the potential to revolutionize planning tools, ground vehicles, and unmanned systems, among others.

“The technological advancement created by CPE Mission Autonomy will impact the life of every soldier and provide our Army with a much-needed edge in the future fight,” said Gill.

Taking the helm of CPE Mission Autonomy is Brig. Gen. Anthony Gibbs, who is tasked with leading the organization into a future where the global battlefield is rapidly shifting.

“We are living in a time of unprecedented technological change where the character of warfare is changing right before our eyes,” said Gibbs. “To maintain our edge, we must not only keep pace but set the pace. This organization is our commitment to doing just that.”

Gibbs also emphasized the organization’s commitment to taking care of the Army’s number one resource – the men and women that make up its force.

“Ultimately, our mission is about one person – and that’s the American Soldier – the centerpiece of what we do,” said Gibbs.

As the centerpiece of what CPE Mission Autonomy does, a primary goal is to take soldiers out of harm’s way when possible and help them be a more effective force on the battlefield. Gibbs highlighted

multiple situations for which the CPE is looking at applying autonomous platforms, such as conducting reconnaissance, delivering smoke, and cueing suppressive fires in support of a fully autonomous breaching operation.

“We envision a future where these operations could be done without the humans in those dangerous situations,” said Gibbs. “Our aim is not to replace them but to empower them. It’s about reducing their cognitive load and providing them with force-multiplying capabilities that allow them to dominate any adversary on any battlefield.”

To provide our Soldiers with overmatch to dominate on the battlefield, the delivery of cutting-edge technologies and capabilities must accelerate. This is where partnerships with industry will prove vital, as the Army aims to revolutionize and streamline the acquisition process.

One example of this partnership on display is the upcoming CPE Mission Autonomy Industry Day. Held in Arlington, Va, this event allows industry leaders and Army stakeholders an opportunity to foster collaboration and innovation. Click here for more information on this event.

By Ashley John

Posted in Acquisition, Army, Guest Post, Robotics | No Comments »

Delivering The Future: JPADS And The Contested Battlefield

Sunday, March 15th, 2026

The nature of warfare is in constant flux, and with it, the demands on military logistics. As the U.S. Army shifts its focus toward Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) and confronts the challenges of Anti-Access/Aerial Denial (A2/AD) environments, the ability to sustain dispersed forces becomes a principal concern. The Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) has emerged as a critical enabler for this new era, evolving from a simple accuracy-improver to a key component of the Army’s strategy for contested logistics and strategic mobility. This system, and its future iterations, will be instrumental as the Army continues its transformation, adapting its formations and capabilities to meet the demands of the modern battlefield.

FROM BALLISTIC TO PRECISE: A BRIEF HISTORY

The concept of airdropping supplies is nearly as old as military aviation itself, but for decades, it was a notoriously inexact science. Traditional ballistic parachutes were at the mercy of the winds, often scattering loads far from their intended drop zones. As a result, critical supplies were frequently lost or damaged. This exposed ground troops to greater risk as they attempted to retrieve scattered cargo and forced delivery aircraft to fly slow low altitude passes making them more vulnerable to enemy fire.

Recognizing these shortfalls, the U.S. Army and Air Force began joint development of a solution in 1993.

This effort culminated in the JPADS. The initial version, JPADS Version 1 (V1), was fielded in 2009, followed by JPADS V2, which began fielding in 2015 and was fully deployed by 2020. These early systems represented a significant leap forward. Utilizing the Global Positioning System (GPS), an onboard computer, and steerable parachutes, JPADS could guide payloads of up to 10,000 pounds to within 100 meters of a designated target.

This accuracy allowed for drops from higher, safer altitudes, up to 24,500 feet Mean Sea Level and from a standoff distance of up to 15 nautical miles, significantly enhancing aircraft survivability.

ADAPTING FOR CONTESTING ENVIRONMENTS: THE NEXT GENERATION

The contemporary operating environment, however, presents new and complex challenges. Potential adversaries possess sophisticated A2/AD capabilities, including the ability to deny or degrade GPS signals. This critical capability gap rendered early versions of JPADS, which were solely reliant on GPS, ineffective.

The Army is actively addressing this vulnerability with the latest iterations of the system. JPADS V3, which began fielding in 2026, introduced a daytime vision navigation capability. This allows the system to operate in GPS-denied environments during the day by using visual landmarks for guidance.

The forthcoming JPADS V4, currently in development and slated to begin fielding in 2028, will represent another significant advancement. It will incorporate a suite of advanced proprietary sensors, including infrared cameras, coupled with anti-jamming technology. This will give JPADS V4 the unprecedented ability to navigate with precision in GPS-denied environments at night, in inclement weather and even over open water. Recent tests of this technology have proven successful, including a demonstration in a GPS-denied environment at White Sands Missile Range during the All-Domain Persistent Experiment.

EXTENDING THE REACH: THE FUTURE OF DISTRIBUTED LOGISTICS

The evolution of JPADS is not stopping with enhanced navigation. To truly enable distributed operations and contested logistics in a LSCO scenario, the Army needs to project sustainment over vast distances, far beyond the current 15-nautical mile offset. This is where the Long-Range JPADS (LR-JPADS) comes into play.

Beginning development in 2026 under Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems, LR-JPADS will add a propulsion kit to the standard system, extending its range to potentially hundreds of nautical miles. This will allow resupply aircraft to remain well outside the reach of most enemy A2/AD systems while still delivering critical supplies to forward-deployed units. LR-JPADS will be available in the same 2,000-pound and 10,000-pound gross payload variants, ensuring a wide range of supplies can be delivered across the operational theatre.

The Army is even looking beyond LR-JPADS to a potential Extended Long-Range JPADS, referred to as ELR-JPADS, with a conceptual range of 1,000 nautical miles. This ambitious goal would leverage ongoing science and technology efforts from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center to create a truly strategic logistics asset.

These future capabilities were recently put to the test at Fort Greely, Alaska, during the Arctic Edge test event, where JPADS V3, V4 and an LR-JPADS candidate system were evaluated in the harsh arctic environment. Further operational testing is anticipated, with potential participation in major exercises like African Lion and Talisman Sabre.

CONCLUSION

As the U.S. Army continues to transform and adapt for the complexities of future warfare, the ability to sustain the force in contested environments is a non-negotiable requirement. The JPADS, through its continuous evolution and planned future enhancements, is poised to be a cornerstone of this capability. From its origins to improve airdrop accuracy, JPADS is becoming a vital tool for strategic mobility, enabling distributed operations and ensuring that the American Soldier remains the best-supplied and most lethal force on the battlefield. By extending our logistical reach while reducing risk to our personnel and aircraft, systems like JPADS ensure the Army can fight and win, anytime and anywhere.

For more information, go to www.peocscss.army.mil.

By MAJ Jonathan Perry for Behind the Frontlines

MAJ. JONATHAN PERRY is an Army Acquisition Corps officer and assistant product manager for the Cargo Aerial Delivery product office, CPE Combat Sustainment. He holds an M.A. in management with a concentration in global business from the University of Alabama and a B.S. in business management from Athens State University. He is a graduate of the Logistics Basic Officer Leadership Course, the Combined Logistics Captains Career Course and the Army Acquisition Transition Course.

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

Army’s Combined Arms Command to Integrate Maven C2 Smart System into Training and Education

Saturday, March 14th, 2026

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan.– Leaders at the Combined Arms Command are integrating the use of the Maven Smart System, an artificial intelligence tool, to modernize training and education for command-and-control operations. Initial efforts are underway, led by staff from the Mission Command Center of Excellence, instructors with the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and officers assigned to the CAC Command Data and Analytics Office.

The Maven Smart System, also commonly referred to as simply “Maven,” processes battlefield data, including imagery and full-motion video, to improve situational awareness and speed decision-making. It is designed to automate tasks formerly performed via legacy systems like the Command Post Computing Environment.

“Maven’s use is being fielded so fast, we need to deliver training as quickly as possible to accelerate learning of the system,” said Mike Clowser, MCCOE’s lead for Maven’s training plan.

A week of train-the-trainer instruction held Feb. 23-27, 2026, set the conditions for each organization to incorporate Maven at their level.

Operator training. Senior instructors at MCCoE are charged with developing a standardized, eight-hour, hands-on course for Soldiers who will operate the system. This program will focus on the practical use of Maven in an operational setting to help commanders make more informed decisions, faster. Instruction on Maven will also become a key component of the Knowledge Management Qualification Course.

Professional Military Education. Command and General Staff College leaders plan to integrate Maven into the core curriculum for field grade officers attending the Command and General Staff Officers Course. The goal is to ensure graduates are proficient with the systems used in operational units. Maven will also become part of the curriculum for students attending the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), and the School of Command Preparation.

“The integration of Maven represents a critical step in aligning PME modernization with the realities of what’s going on with the operational force,” said Zachary Rolf, deputy for the Department of Simulation Education at CGSC. The goal, he noted, is to ensure graduates have “system parity” and are able to seamlessly integrate at the unit level when they leave the schoolhouse.

Workforce Upskilling. The CAC CDAIO’s Data Academy provides centralized education on data, AI, and modern software. Maven will be included as an offering for the workforce. Specific to Maven, the academy is collaborating with MCCOE in developing courses, including a technical Low-Code/No-Code Builders Course that will be offered with both in-person and virtual options.

These parallel efforts are set to merge into a single System Training Plan as the Army moves to formally designate Maven as a system of record. This unified plan will guide integration across all training domains.

“It will be a collaborative effort, clearly. And that’s really the only way to do it,” said Maj. Dustin Berry, lead data scientist and chief technology officer for CAC. “With us working together, it will be a much better product.”

Story by Randi Stenson

Mission Command Center of Excellence

Posted in Army, C5ISR, Guest Post | No Comments »

JIATF-401 Hosts Industry Day to Strengthen c-sUAS Partnerships

Friday, March 13th, 2026

WASHINGTON — The Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) hosted an Industry Day, bringing together representatives from industry and government partners to discuss collaboration and accelerate the development of counter-small Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-sUAS) capabilities at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, Va., on March 5, 2026.

The event provided a forum for JIATF-401 leadership to outline the organization’s mission, priorities and acquisition approaches while allowing industry partners to engage directly with government stakeholders on emerging technology and operational needs.

“I want you to know what we’re doing to make your products accessible to our customers and what we’re doing to expand that customer base so we can get greater depth in our industrial base,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, Director, JIATF-401.

Ross highlighted how the accessibility and low cost of small unmanned systems have changed the security environment. Systems that were once limited are now widely available, allowing smaller groups or individuals to operate capabilities which previously required significant resources.

“What they’re concerned about is the proliferation of small unmanned systems that are inexpensive and give capability that was previously reserved for state adversaries to small groups and individuals,” Ross continued. “It’s not a new thing, but if you give them the ability to conduct some type of attack without fear of attribution or accountability, that changes the paradigm.”

He emphasized that industry feedback is necessary to address gaps in current systems and improve how c-sUAS technologies are integrated across the Department of War and interagency partners. He noted that companies frequently ask what standards or protocols their systems must meet to integrate with existing c-sUAS ecosystems.

“One of the things we want to do is change the way the department is thinking about counter-sUAS,” Ross said. “One of the ways we can incorrectly think about the problem is in how we manage risk or how we accomplish the mission. Instead of defeating the threat of a system, we have to think about the broader problem.”

This shift in thinking requires focusing on operational outcomes, rather than simply targeting individual systems and countering-small unmanned aircraft. It requires understanding how those platforms are used and how they enable broader mission effects. The growing complexity of the threat environment means there is no single system capable of addressing every scenario. Instead, organizations must rely on a layered approach that combines different capabilities to detect, track and defeat unmanned systems.

“I’m not asking for a 100 percent solution to defeat every drone – the silver bullet,” Ross concluded. “What we need is a layered defense: awareness, different capabilities and an ecosystem that works together so we can defeat threats consistently.”

Ross mentioned that continued collaboration between government and industry will be essential to developing those layered defenses and ensuring effective integration of c-sUAS technologies, supporting our warfighters at home and abroad.

By SGT Tien Dat Ngo

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

Harnessing AI for the Future: Army Unveils Project ARIA

Thursday, March 12th, 2026

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army today announced the launch of Project ARIA, or Army Rapid Implementation of Artificial Intelligence, an Army initiative that harnesses AI to modernize Army operations and empower Soldiers.

Project ARIA addresses critical Army challenges by partnering with leading technology companies to develop practical AI solutions that deliver real results for warfighters.

“Through Project ARIA, we are building the Army of tomorrow, today,” said Deputy Under Secretary of the Army David R. Fitzgerald. “By working with the nation’s top minds in artificial intelligence, we are rapidly developing and deploying smart tools that empower our Soldiers, streamline our operations, and ensure our readiness for any challenge.”

Three Teams, Three Solutions

The initiative launched following a successful AI tabletop exercise hosted by Secretary of the Army Hon. Daniel P. Driscoll on Sept. 16, 2025, where Army leaders collaborated directly with AI experts to tackle real operational problems. Project ARIA is initially focused on three key areas:

Team Gray is creating agentic AI tools to automate the Army’s complex planning, programming, budgeting, and execution, or PPBE, process. The new tools will enable Army leaders to make faster, better-informed decisions and free up Soldiers and civilians to focus on core missions rather than paperwork.

Team Black is developing a “model armory” to serve all operational levels, from datacenters to the tactical edge. Soldiers query based on their needs, and the system delivers custom AI capabilities ready to operate in denied environments.

Team Yellowstone is using AI to revolutionize supply chain management, starting at Anniston Army Depot. The AI agent will predict equipment maintenance needs and ensure parts are available before problems occur, reducing vehicle downtime.

“Project ARIA is about delivering real capabilities, not endless development cycles,” Fitzgerald added. “This initiative is designed for speed and agility, ensuring we get cutting-edge technology into the hands of our Soldiers as quickly as possible.”

A New Approach to Innovation

Project ARIA represents a fundamental shift in how the Army develops and deploys technology. By partnering directly with top AI firms, the Army is delivering solutions in months rather than years.

“Project ARIA is a testament to the power of collaboration between the Army and the nation’s leading innovators in artificial intelligence,” said Fitzgerald. “By breaking down barriers and fostering agile partnerships with industry, we are accelerating the development and deployment of cutting-edge solutions. Together, we are building an Army that is smarter, faster, and more capable than ever before.”

The initiative focuses on removing administrative burdens from Soldiers so they can concentrate on training, readiness, and mission execution. By automating time-consuming processes, Project ARIA will enhance both operational effective and quality of life for service members.

As the Army continues to evolve to meet modern challenges, Project ARIA represents a commitment to leveraging the latest technology to ensure operational readiness and effectiveness. Project ARIA also demonstrates to industry experts that the Army is prepared and open to collaborate to harness best practices and technological breakthroughs. The initiative positions the Army as a leader in military AI applications while ensuring Soldiers have the best tools available to accomplish their missions.

By U.S. Army Public Affairs

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