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Mack Defense Highlights the Mack Pioneer at the 2025 AUSA Annual Meeting

Friday, October 10th, 2025

ALLENTOWN, PA (Oct. 8, 2025) – Mack Defense announced today that it will feature the Mack Pioneer model in its booth #8333 at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition, Oct. 13-15, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

“Mack Defense has long supported the U.S. military, providing equipment on the battlefield since World War I,” said David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense. “We bring a unique capability to these customers with commercial innovation, internal investments and superior product offerings to help our warfighters win. The Mack Pioneer represents a breadth of commercial technology available to the U.S. military as they look to modernize their tactical wheeled vehicle fleet with militarized commercial solutions.”

Mack Defense is ready to incorporate advanced vehicle technologies into future fleets, and proven commercial platforms can provide rapid, cost-effective modernization. Integrated advanced technologies, like active safety features, enhance warfighter safety and efficiency while alternative propulsion solutions improve fuel economy. Drive-by-wire-enabled vehicles allow for autonomous kits of all levels to more easily be incorporated.

Hartzell continued, “Next-generation military vehicles require the superior mobility and versatility across all terrains and missions that Mack military trucks deliver. And now, more than ever, the U.S. Department of War needs trusted manufacturers it can rely on to deliver proven, low-risk solutions, backed by a comprehensive lifecycle support for sustained readiness.”

Mack Defense’s partnership with the U.S. Armed Forces provides tactical, logistics, commercial and specialty vehicles including armored and unarmored platforms. Most recently, the U.S. Army has awarded the company a contract for the M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck (HDT), which is built on the Mack® Granite® chassis and enhanced to meet the rigorous requirements of the military. Key modifications include all-wheel drive, heavier-duty rear axles, increased ride height and other ruggedized features for tactical use.

Leveraging a commercially proven platform like the Mack® Granite® allows the Army to benefit from American manufacturing, an established supply chain, proven durability and easier lifecycle support across a wide operational footprint with global support in more than 190 markets.

Posted in AUSA, Mobility, Press Release | Comments Off on Mack Defense Highlights the Mack Pioneer at the 2025 AUSA Annual Meeting

Galvion introduces Batlskin Caiman Ultra-Light Helmet at AUSA 2025

Friday, October 10th, 2025

Galvion, a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative head systems, power and data management solutions, and integrated soldier systems, unveils the latest addition to its flagship Caiman® suite of head systems, the new Caiman® UL (Ultra-Light). The Caiman® UL builds on the phenomenal success of the Caiman helmet series, which has been adopted by some of the world’s most demanding military and tactical teams. The new helmet, along with Galvion’s wider range of head systems and power and data solutions will be on display at booth #643 at AUSA 2025 in Washington, D.C.

The Caiman UL system was specifically designed for elite special operations operators who demand an ultra-lightweight next-generation solution that minimizes weight and bulk, while offering maximum protection and performance. Offering all of the performance of the Caiman® TL (Tactical Light) in a lighter weight, the UL comes in five (5) sizes, ensuring that operators are wearing the lightest, most comfortable, and most stable helmet possible.

The new Caiman also features additional updates, including Galvion’s 3-hole shroud, which uses ballistic mounting hardware and offers excellent stability for thermal and night vision devices. The low-profile shroud uses rubber bumpers for rattle prevention and has multiple integrated anchor points for secure bungee storage and paracord pass-through. It also features an interchangeable metal shroud plate to accommodate a variety of NVG and future headborne accessories. The Caiman UL uses Galvion’s best-in-class APEX liner system with a redesigned harness. With over 7 years of end-user feedback incorporated into iterative design updates, the latest harness features its toughest camlocks yet for improved strap tension, and stronger anchor system to withstand operational stress. A recontoured and wider chin cup results in a more natural, secure and stable fit, and a surface-mounted buckle allows easier donning and doffing while wearing. As a result, the Caiman UL benefits from the most robust APEX system ever, optimized for fit, comfort and stability, particularly under Night Vision and VAS.

Currently in trials with Special Operations customers, the Caiman UL is available for contract, with expected commercial availability in 2026.

Todd Stirtzinger, CEO at Galvion said: “Our Caiman head systems are recognized around the world as the most comfortable performance helmet out there. We developed the system over a number of years in conjunction with Special Operations teams, but in recent years, we have seen our flagship Caiman TL adopted by conventional forces in far greater quantities, across multiple NATO countries.” He added: “The Caiman UL pushes the boundaries for elite teams where literally every ounce counts. It gives them the performance they need and the comfort that, candidly, they didn’t know that they could expect, in the lightest weight available. Our Caiman® UL really is the best, for the best.”

Posted in Advertiser, AUSA, Helmets, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Motorola Solutions Showcases Counter-Drone Defense at the AUSA 2025 Annual Meeting & Exposition

Thursday, October 9th, 2025

Comprehensive airspace defense and military security technologies – including drone, counter UAS, long-range cameras and communication solutions – help keep troops and bases safer

CHICAGO – Oct. 9, 2025 – Today’s militaries operate in high-intensity, dispersed and contested spaces across land, air, sea, space and cyber domains, where the ability to analyze, visualize and disseminate vast quantities of data is essential to the mission. At AUSA 2025, Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) will showcase data-driven technology solutions that support stronger decision making and combat readiness across each phase of the mission, from security on bases to operations at the tactical edge.

“There were reports of over 350 drone detections at 100 military installations last year alone,” said Joe Balchune, vice president, Federal Markets, Motorola Solutions. “Our counter drone solutions provide the operational intelligence to protect against these daily incursions, helping defense agencies outmaneuver adversaries and sustain mission readiness. We design technologies to detect threats early and unify insights for decisive action, because the right intelligence in the moment is critical to success.”

Motorola Solutions’ ecosystem of defense technologies enable secure, interoperable and resilient data-driven missions across diverse operational domains. At AUSA, the company will demonstrate:

Silvus MANET radio technology: Provides connectivity across varied geographies without the need for fixed infrastructure to enable highly secure voice, video, sensor and alerting technologies.

Command center technology: Unifies pertinent mission data and video feeds into a single operational view so command decisions are informed with accurate, timely intelligence, notifications and communications about what’s happening on the ground and in the sky.

Long-range thermal cameras: Hosts and connects with a wide range of sensors, radar, lidar and other detection technologies to identify anomalies and ground, naval and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) from up to 20 miles away (30 km).

SaaS platform for drone detection: Offers robust, cloud-based drone detection and airspace intelligence through a strategic alliance with SkySafe that streams live insights – like the real-time and historical flight path of a drone and its operator’s location – into the command center.

Radio frequency (RF) drone detection: Uses networked RF sensors to give a reliable early warning of RF emissions and out-of-the-ordinary electromagnetic pulses from drones and delivers real-time, forensic signal analysis to help identify signals’ sources and geolocations.

Drone operations: Offers an AI-enhanced, automated drone-in-a-box solution, in collaboration with Nokia, that provides enhanced situational awareness, streamlined remote operations and faster decision making in mission-critical settings.

These technologies, as well as Motorola Solutions’ extensive portfolio of mission-critical land mobile radio products, can be seen at AUSA 2025 in Washington D.C., Oct. 13-15, in booth #6721 for Motorola Solutions and booth #3645 for Silvus Technologies, a Motorola Solutions company.

Learn more about our commitment to innovating for a safer future for us all at www.motorolasolutions.com.

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WILCOX and RIVET Unveil Integrated Soldier Systems for the US Army’s Next-Gen SBMC Program at AUSA 2025

Wednesday, October 8th, 2025

RIVET to demonstrate its next-generation heads-up display (HUD) integrated into the WILCOX FUSION CLAW™ ecosystem at Booth #3607

NEWINGTON, NH, October 8th, 2025 – WILCOX INDUSTRIES, a global leader in mission-critical integrated headborne and combat systems, is proud to announce its partnership with RIVET INDUSTRIES, a defense technology innovator, at the upcoming AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, DC, taking place October 13–15, 2025. RIVET will be exhibiting its advanced HUD technology at WILCOX’s Booth, showcasing how its integrated solution supports the U.S. Army’s evolving Soldier as a System vision.

Designed for the Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC) program, RIVET’s rugged, glasses-based HUD fuses data from Soldiers, sensors, and mission systems into a single operational picture, enhancing situational awareness and decision-making in any environment, day or night.

Through integration with WILCOX’s MANTIS™ mounting solution, the RIVET HUD becomes part of the FUSION CLAW-compatible system, seamlessly connecting individual warfighters to squad and command networks. This integrated approach supports maneuvering, targeting, and real-time data sharing, aligning with the Army’s focus on digital transformation and network-centric warfare, while managing the available power worn by the Soldier.

“This partnership embodies the next generation of battlefield technology,” said Jim Teetzel, CEO of WILCOX. “By integrating RIVET’s HUD with our FUSION CLAW™ platform, we’re delivering scalable, interoperable solutions that directly support the Soldier as a System vision and empower the modern warfighter.”

“The Army’s SBMC program is about creating a connected, informed, adaptable, and most importantly, more lethal Soldier,” said Dave Marra, CEO of RIVET. “By partnering with WILCOX, we’re accelerating that vision, bridging sensors, power, and data into a single, Soldier-ready capability.”

Attendees at AUSA 2025 will have the opportunity to engage directly with both WILCOX and RIVET teams and experience an interactive feature demonstration of the FUSION CLAW with RIVET’s HUD system.

Posted in Advertiser, AUSA, Helmets, Optics, Power, Press Release | 4 Comments »

AUSA Presents: The Birth of the U.S. Army: Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of America’s First National Institution

Saturday, June 14th, 2025

The Association of the United States Army is proud to announce the release of a new graphic novel in honor of the Army’s 250th birthday celebration: The Birth of the U.S. Army.

The Birth of the U.S. Army

Celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s first national institution

The U.S. Army was established on June 14, 1775—more than a year before the Declaration of Independence. Under civil authority, militia from separate colonies unified under a new commander to form a national force to fight for independence. The history of the Army is intertwined with the history of America itself.

Script: Chuck Dixon (Batman, The Punisher, The ’Nam)

Artwork and Cover: Wayne Vansant (The ’Nam, Savage Tales, All Quiet on the Western Front)

Lettering: Troy Peteri (Spider-Man, Iron Man, X-Men)

The Association of the United States Army celebrates this milestone of American history with its latest graphic novel. This full-color digital book was created by a talented team of professionals drawn from the comic book industry, and the details were vetted by professional historians.

Information on the AUSA Book Program can be found at www.ausa.org/books.

To read The Birth of the U.S. Army or to download a free copy, please visit www.ausa.org/the-birth-of-the-us-army

Posted in Army, AUSA, Guest Post, History | Comments Off on AUSA Presents: The Birth of the U.S. Army: Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of America’s First National Institution

Aware Defense

Tuesday, November 5th, 2024

During AUSA, Gentex introduced me to Aware Defense, a company which specializes in auditory defense, or hearing protection.

They demonstrated a patented, precision measuring device called eFIT, which scans the ear to create a model for perfect fit ear plugs and comms devices. Unlike foamies which only work properly about 7% of the time, these inserts protect hearing and don’t fall out, even during physical activity.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and tinnitus rank as the top two causes of disability claims among Veterans with over 50% of close combat personnel suffering from some form of hearing loss.

Aware not only offers simple ear plugs but they also have inserts with hearing augmentation and integration with communications systems as well as the inclusion of biometric sensors. Once a model of the ear has been scanned it is available to produce any number of ear inserts. Aware works with other vendors to integrate their custom-shaped ear plugs so if a unit changes systems, there’s no need to make a new measurement. The existing record is used.

Aware has multiple products available but the two most interesting off our use are the EarShield (preserves essential hearing levels) and EarDefender (also available in vented).

Aware can visit units with the eFIT scanner to take measurements or lease it to a unit or installation.

awarecbw.com/collections/military-shop

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AUSA 24 – SIG Remote Operated Equipment

Friday, November 1st, 2024

SIG gave us an update on their robotics and remote operated weapon station programs which they are referring to, with an eye to the future, as Remote Operated Equipment. As you may recall, SIG purchased Israel’s General Robotics last year.

This is the first fully US-produced SIG weapon station, mounted with an MMG 338 Machine Gun, and sitting atop the tracked Donkey concept platform.

The weapon station is capable of remotely charging and firing the weapon as well as rendering it safe.

The flexible feed chute is from Nobels Worldwide and the weapon is fed from a 300 round quick change ammo can. The entire system can be controlled via a tether or remotely via a Persistent Systems MPU5 radio.

Finally, the weapon station optics include a variable powered day camera along with a thermal camera and 1550 eye safe laser range finder.

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AUSA 24 – GORE-TEX Defense Fabrics’ All Weather Integrated Clothing System

Friday, November 1st, 2024

The US Army has been working on the Cold Temperature and Arctic Protection System for several years with limited fielding of developmental items to troops in Alaska including the 11th Airborne Division (Arctic).

According to sources close to the effort, a formal requirement has been approved and both the name and scope will change. Currently, CTAPS is a multi-layer system that aims to keep Soldiers warmer in cold weather environments, spanning from 45 degrees Fahrenheit to -65 degrees Fahrenheit.

The new All Range Tactical Clothing will become an overarching program for all organizational clothing including other regions besides just Arctic.

Many of the designs associated with CTAPS were created in house at Natick when the program concentrated more on materials than function. In the ensuing years, industry has introduced new styles which have strong Soldier acceptance. For example, the so-called 11th Airborne Jacket and Trouser was procured as a Commercial-Off-The-Shelf item and developed by SITKA Arrowhead.

GORE-TEX Defense Fabrics has monitored the program and trickled out a couple of design concepts over the past few years, such as the stretch technology fabric seen above. But at this year’s AUSA they introduced us to an entire clothing system they call All Weather Integrated Clothing System (AWICS).

Here is the system. That compression bag you see at the bottom contains the whole system except for the softshell layer which is generally worn all of the time in cold regions and takes the place of the ACU or Combat Shirt and Trouser.

We’ll cover down on the individual mannequins from left to right.

This is the Temperate Mid-Layer Pullover. It offers a great deal of moisture wicking and breathability.

Here you can see the details of the trousers made from GORE-TEX WINDSTOPPER.

Next is the Weather Protective Active Insulation Jacket. It combines a WINDSTOPPER shell with Polartec Alpha Direct insulation.

It is paired with an insulated short with full side zips for quick donning and doffing.

Next is the Softshell uniform which many are familiar with as Level 5 of Protective Combat Uniform / MARS or Gen III ECWCS. In the Twight model codified by Alpinist Mark Twight in his book “Extreme Alpinism: Climbing Light, Fast and High” which our clothing systems are based upon, it is called the “Action Suit” and is the basic outer layer worn day-to-day. It’s made from WINDSTOPPER fabric for comfort, breathability, and durability along with its water shedding properties. Even when wet, it dries faster than other fabrics.

This is the GORE-TEX Temperate Cold/Wet Layer. It’s made from waterproof, breathable 3-layer fabric and incorporates features troops have been asking for such as pocket placement. This laminate is durably waterproof, totally windproof, and very breathable even after exposure to common battle field contaminates.

The final component is the Insulation Layer. Unlike with the current programs of record this doesn’t have a bulky Level 7 Bivy Parka. The GORE-TEX team has worked to reduce the number of garments and the insulation of the Level 7 can be obtained by combining various AWICS pieces.

The GORE-TEX Defense Fabrics development team is currently working on an employment wheel like the one used with USSOCOM’s PCU to assist with when and how to combine components of the system to get the desired effect.

Hopefully, this system will get a look by the US military and that they remain open to commercial innovation.

To learn more about GORE-TEX Military Fabrics visit www.goretexprofessional.com/ausa.

Posted in Advertiser, AUSA, Clothing, Materials | 1 Comment »