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ThayerMahan’s Outpost Acoustic Intelligence Payloads Selected for Large-Scale Deployment

Sunday, June 28th, 2026

GROTON, Conn., June 25, 2026 — ThayerMahan, Inc. has been awarded a contract to deliver dozens of Outpost® acoustic intelligence payloads, along with TransparenSea® processing software, to an international defense customer. The award represents one of the largest fielded deployments of unmanned acoustic sensing systems supporting persistent undersea surveillance and USW (Undersea Warfare) missions.

ThayerMahan to deliver dozens of Outpost acoustic intelligence payloads to international defense customer.

The selection followed a rigorous, multi-phase evaluation that included controlled validation, extended at-sea deployments, and head-to-head comparative trials against multiple payloads under representative mission conditions. Testing focused on detection performance, tracking reliability, system endurance, power efficiency, and integration with unmanned platforms.

During multi-month deployments, Outpost® and TransparenSea® demonstrated continuous wide-area acoustic surveillance, detecting, classifying, and tracking targets of interest at operationally relevant ranges, with near-real-time delivery of actionable acoustic intelligence to shore-based Maritime Operations Centers. The systems met or exceeded performance expectations for both surveillance and USW missions while operating within constrained power and size profiles typical of small, unmanned platforms.

Key factors supporting selection included:

Persistent coverage: Continuous operation over extended deployment periods
Detection and tracking performance: Reliable target hold and classification at range
Low power consumption: Enabling long-duration unmanned operations
Ease of integration: Minimal platform modification required
Near-real-time data delivery: Actionable data landed in shore-based Maritime Operations Centers for rapid decision making
Analyst usability: Intuitive interface reducing operator workload and training burden

“Persistent, wide area acoustic sensing requires consistent performance over time, which is why we spent the last decade perfecting our capability,” said Mike Varney, President Products & Engineering, ThayerMahan. “ThayerMahan sets the global benchmark for unmanned acoustic intelligence. Outpost and TransparenSea have been repeatedly validated under operational conditions, which was a key factor in this selection.”

The contract reflects increasing demand for scalable, unmanned acoustic sensing solutions that can rapidly be deployed to extend maritime domain awareness without reliance on traditional crewed assets.

“This award aligns with the need for operationally relevant, fielded capability that delivers consistent surveillance and USW performance,” said Mike Connor, Chairman and CEO. “The focus is on systems that work as deployed – reliably, at scale, and with immediate mission impact.”

The awarded systems are exportable and production-ready, supporting rapid fielding timelines and broader adoption of distributed, unmanned sensing architectures for undersea domain awareness.

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Strengthening NATO’s Eastern Flank: Romania Orders Skyranger 35 Air Defence Systems from Rheinmetall

Saturday, June 27th, 2026

The technology group Rheinmetall has achieved another significant success in the field of ground-based air defence (GbAD) systems. The Romanian government has awarded the company a contract to supply Skyranger 35 air defence systems. This contract is part of a historic major order worth €5.7 billion covering combat vehicles, vessels and air defence systems, and includes not only 24 Skyranger 35 systems, but also seven Skynex systems and two Millennium Guns for maritime air defence solutions. Rheinmetall published a press release on this matter on 2 June 2026.

The Skyranger system will be integrated onto the proven Lynx KF41 tracked platform. The contract highlights Rheinmetall’s role as a leading system provider for mobile air defence solutions in Europe.

This major contract further strengthens the long-standing and trusting customer relationship between Romania and Rheinmetall. The country is therefore continuing to invest in the modernisation of its armed forces and in future-oriented technologies in order to protect its own territory and strengthen NATO’s eastern flank. The Skyranger 35’s enormous firepower and sensor capabilities, combined with the mobility and protection offered by the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle, provide an excellent response to modern threat scenarios. Recent geopolitical developments, including the incident involving an unmanned drone in Romanian airspace, have highlighted the urgent need for a thorough and highly mobile very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) system.

Oliver Dürr, Head of Rheinmetall’s Air Defence Division, emphasises the project’s strategic importance: “Romania’s decision to choose the Skyranger 35 on the Lynx platform is a significant milestone for European air defence. We are proud to continue our decades-long partnership with the Romanian government and provide the country with direct support in this critical security situation. The recent drone incident has shown how quickly airborne threats can become a reality. The Skyranger 35 provides Romania with a highly efficient and flexible solution for protecting soldiers reliably as well as critical infrastructure against modern threats at short and very short range”.

With this order, Rheinmetall sends a clear message in favour of standardisation and interoperability among NATO allies.

About Skyranger 35

The Skyranger 35 is specifically designed to effectively engage loitering munitions, swarm drones and conventional aerial threats in the immediate vicinity. It is equipped with a high-precision 35 mm revolver cannon and can use programmable AHEAD airburst munition. The integrated system combines state-of-the-art radar sensors and electro-optical tracking systems with the proven 35 mm anti-aircraft gun within a single protected vehicle. This enables the Romanian Army to conduct airspace surveillance and engage targets autonomously while on the move.

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Avon Technologies Announces NG IHPS Delivery Orders

Friday, June 26th, 2026

Avon Technologies plc is pleased to confirm that Team Wendy Ceradyne has received delivery orders totalling over $40m from the US Army (ACC) and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) under the Next Generation Integrated Head Protection System (NG-IHPS) helmet contract, which was previously awarded in September 2021.

Jos Sclater, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“Securing the highest share of both DLA and ACC delivery orders against competition is a strong endorsement of Team Wendy’s product performance and improving operational execution. These awards build our order book and provide important long-term visibility, underpinning our confidence in the Group as we continue to deliver and strengthen our position with the US DoW.”

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US Marine Corps Places First Polaris MRZR Alpha Order on New ULTV Contract

Friday, June 26th, 2026

Minneapolis – June 24, 2026 – The United States Marine Corps (USMC) has placed its first delivery order to Polaris Government and Defense on the new Ultra-Light Tactical Vehicle (ULTV) contract, ordering more than 70 MRZR Alphas and numerous accessories vital to mission success. More than half the vehicles ordered were the new 5kW export power variant and the remaining were the standard, 1kW version – all are green, four-seat vehicles.

Polaris accessories included in the order have been commonly incorporated on MRZR Alpha ULTVs for the Marines and include:

Roof Kit – reversible roof kit with multicam-patterned camouflage on one side and olive drab on the other for mission planning flexibility while protecting occupants from exposure to the elements.

Road March Kit – turn signals, horn, rear view and side mirrors to provide operators enhanced auditory and visual situation awareness during off-road administrative movements.

Modular Cargo System – siderails and tailgate enclose the rear deck to contain cargo and provide many attachment points for securing gear and other vehicle accessories. The heavy-duty tailgate can also drop down for additional cargo space in the down position. Aircraft rails are built in for optional accessories, like integration of litter mounts.

Fire Extinguisher – Class 5-BC fire extinguisher can be mounted to the roll cage in various spots, using a vinyl mount secured by two heavy duty Velcro straps with special rubber attached to ensure mount is securely fastened.

Towbar Mount – specifically designed clamps mount a towbar provision for storage during non-use.

“Polaris engineering and development efforts resulted in expanded accessories developed specifically for MRZR Alpha customers, like the Marines,” said Erin Telander, Defense program manager, Polaris Government and Defense. “That includes the ability to export 5kW of power directly from the vehicle itself, which the Marines will be able to leverage with their latest order.”

The MRZR Alpha is Polaris’ most advanced light tactical vehicle, engineered to meet the evolving demands of expeditionary forces. Designed for enhanced payload capacity, tactical air transport and off-road performance, the MRZR Alpha enables rapid unit deployment and exceptional maneuverability across difficult terrain while reducing logistical demand due to the vehicle’s superior durability.

The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract was awarded May 22, 2026, through Program Acquisition Executive Marine Corps (PAE-MC) and has a ceiling of up to $98M, with an order period of up to five years. This contract reinforces the value that Polaris brings to the warfighter – a responsive and engaged team with off-road engineering expertise, world-class manufacturing and a built-in global support network.

Commercial platforms like the Polaris MRZR Alpha have been instrumental in accelerating delivery of highly mobile systems to the field. Polaris provides global parts availability through its existing worldwide network of dealers and distributors, empowering greater self-sufficiency for distributed forces.

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Nester Hosiery Awarded US Army and US Marine Corps Cold Weather Sock Contracts

Friday, June 26th, 2026

Leading U.S. sock manufacturer strengthens position as the warfighters choice for military cold weather performance hosiery.

June 25, 2026 – Mount Airy, NC – Nester Hosiery, a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of high-performance Merino wool socks, announced today that it has been awarded contracts supporting both the U.S. Army Cold Weather Sock Program and the U.S. Marine Corps Intense Cold Weather Sock Program following the successful novation of the programs from Fox River.

These awards reinforce Nester Hosiery’s position as a leading provider of Berry Amendment compliant cold weather and performance sock systems for the U.S. military, delivering mission-critical products that are designed, engineered, and manufactured entirely in the United States.

Under the awards:

Nester Hosiery will serve as the provider of record for the U.S. Army Cold Weather Sock Program under a three-year contract structure.

Nester Hosiery was also awarded the U.S. Marine Corps Intense Cold Weather Sock Program under a three-year term.

“These two major awards reflect the trust placed in our team, our domestic manufacturing capabilities, and our longstanding commitment to delivering premium performance products to the warfighter,” said Kelly Nester, CEO of Nester Hosiery.

With manufacturing operations rooted in North Carolina and a decades-long legacy of domestic sock manufacturing expertise, Nester Hosiery continues to invest in its U.S.-based workforce, product innovation, and resilient supply chain capable of supporting both military and commercial markets.

The company’s military programs are supported through advanced knitting technology, technical product development expertise, and a commitment to delivering consistent quality and performance in the most demanding of operational environments.

To learn more about Nester Hosiery’s support with the Military community, please visit nesterhosiery.com/military.

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Federal and Remington Awarded All Four Categories of FBI Rifle Ammunition Contract

Wednesday, June 24th, 2026

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently awarded Federal and Remington Ammunition—both part of The Kinetic Group (TKG)—one of the largest law enforcement contracts in TKG’s history. The contract is valued at $77.4 million. Federal was chosen to be the sole supplier in all four of the rifle product categories including Duty, Training Reduced Lead, Non-Jacketed and Jacketed Frangible ammunition. Remington, along with additional technology from HEVI, paired to provide the fourth product category in Jacketed Frangible ammunition. Delivery is expected to begin in 2026.

“This is a tremendous honor for our company. All our brands are humbled and excited to build and deliver ammunition to the FBI. It is one of the most prestigious contracts ever awarded in our long-established company history,” said CEO Jason Vanderbrink. “To receive an award in all four of the requested categories is an accomplishment we are extremely proud of. This is a great source of pride for our highly skilled American workforce dedicated to engineering and building the most advanced ammunition in the world.”

In duty, Federal will supply 5.56mm, 64-grain Premium® Tactical Bonded. In Training Reduced Lead, Federal will supply 5.56mm, 64-grain Modified Jacketed Soft Point. In Jacketed Frangible, Remington will supply 5.56mm, 55-grain Disintegrator Lead-Free product that includes HEVI’s powder metal core with a Remington jacket, and in Non-Jacketed Frangible, Federal will supply 5.56mm, 45-grain Ervin BallistiClean RHT.

Federal ammunition can be found at dealers nationwide or purchased online direct from Federal. For more information on all products from Federal or to shop online, visit www.federalpremium.com.

Remington Ammunition products are available at dealers nationwide and online. For more information on Remington ammunition and to sign up for product news and special offers, visit www.remington.com.

Posted in Ammo, Contracts, LE, Press Release | Comments Off on Federal and Remington Awarded All Four Categories of FBI Rifle Ammunition Contract

Gentex Corporation Selected to Support U.S. Army NGC2 Program with Ops-Core AMP Communication Headset and Integrated Solutions

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026

CARBONDALE, Pa., June 15, 2026 — Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for U.S. Armed Forces and allied partners worldwide, has been selected to provide its Ops-Core AMP Communication Headset in support of the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) prototyping.

Under this effort, systems will be utilized by soldiers during NGC2 work-up experiments leading up to the Project Convergence Capstone 6 (PC-C6) event. The selection reinforces Gentex’s role in advancing integrated soldier systems that enhance connectivity, protection, and operational effectiveness in modern, networked environments.

In addition to the AMP Communication Headset, Gentex will deliver a comprehensive suite of integrated communications and protection solutions designed to enable seamless interoperability across mission sets, including:

Push-to-Talk (PTT) and Cabling Solutions: Allows mounted soldiers to connect to a body worn radio and vehicle inter communications system (ICS) simultaneously. The AP-107 3-way PTT is detachable so mounted soldiers can use their combat helmet and rapidly exit and enter the vehicle without having to switch between their Combat Vehicle Crewman (CVC) helmet and Ground Combat Helmet.

NFMI Earplugs: The Ops-Core Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) Earplugs provide increased noise reduction, while maintaining clear communications and 3D hear-through when used with NFMI enabled Ops-Core headsets. The earplugs do not need batteries, recharging, or any wired connection. When engaged, the NFMI earplug will seamlessly integrate for clear communication. When worn together, the system provides a 34 dB NRR rating.

IHPS ARC Rail Prototype and AMP Helmet RailMount Kits: Featuring a newly developed Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) helmet rail and rail arm solution, allowing secure and comfortable mounting of the AMP Communication Headset to IHPS and NG-IHPS helmets.

Together, these solutions provide a scalable, integrated system that enhances communication clarity, operational flexibility, comfort, and protection for soldiers operating across diverse mission environments.

“For more than 130 years, Gentex has delivered high-performance solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of the modern warfighter,” said Kevin Reilly, Segment Director, Close Combat at Gentex Corporation. “Supporting NGC2 reflects our continued commitment to integrating hearing protection to the Army’s Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) helmet with the launch of our new IHPS ARC Rail for the AMP Communications Headset. It also complements Gentex’s broader portfolio of headborne systems, including NG-IHPS, ACH Gen ll, Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) and Ops-Core FAST® helmets.”

The AMP Communication Headset plays a central role in this capability, delivering 3D audio hearing enhancement of up to +12 dB while providing a 22 Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) for comprehensive hearing protection. Dual removable downleads allow mounted Soldiers to simultaneously connect to a vehicle intercommunication system (ICS) and a body-worn radio, enabling seamless transitions between mounted and dismounted operations without changing helmets. This capability significantly improves operational efficiency by eliminating the need to switch between ground combat and Combat Vehicle Crewman (CVC) helmet systems.

This selection builds on Gentex’s proven track record of supporting U.S. Army Forces. It also reflects Gentex’s expanding global support of allied defense forces, equipping military organizations across more than 20 countries with integrated headborne systems. This complements Gentex’s broader portfolio of headborne systems, including NG-IHPS, ACH Gen II, and ACVC helmet liner solutions.

As the U.S. Army continues to modernize command and control capabilities, Gentex remains focused on delivering integrated, mission-ready solutions that connect, protect and enhance the performance of the modern warfighter.

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U.S. Air Force Awards GA-ASI Production Contract for FQ-42A CCA

Friday, June 19th, 2026

Company Will Produce Service’s New Uncrewed Combat Jets

SAN DIEGO – 17 June 2026 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has received a production contract from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) for the FQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The initial order is a significant milestone, beginning the delivery of production aircraft to the warfighter. GA-ASI designed, developed and flight-tested FQ-42A on an accelerated schedule unlike any fighter in recent history.

“This is an exciting day for our company and the nation,” said company President David R. Alexander. “Moving to production on FQ-42A is the result of an extraordinary partnership and many years of investments between General Atomics and the U.S. Air Force. We’ve been preparing for this order, and manufacturing is already well underway.”

The FQ-42A is a purpose-built, uncrewed fighter developed as part of ongoing investment in next-generation semi-autonomous combat aircraft. The aircraft’s modular design enables rapid integration of mission systems and mission autonomy software. GA-ASI’s software architecture, demonstrated through live flight tests on multiple airframes, provides the foundation for human-machine teaming in complex combat scenarios.

The development effort by GA-ASI fast-tracked, with the aircraft moving from contract award to first flight in just 15 months, one of the fastest rollouts of a new fighter in history.

GA-ASI was selected by the U.S. Air Force in 2024 to build production-representative flight test articles for the CCA program. The YFQ-42A successfully conducted its maiden flight in August 2025, validating a “genus/species” concept for rapid, modular, and low-cost uncrewed fighter aircraft development previously demonstrated in partnership with U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

GA-ASI’s approach enables a common core aircraft design that can be rapidly adapted for different mission sets and service requirements. GA-ASI’s Gambit Series concept for CCA envisions multiple variants that serve specific needs, including long-endurance surveillance; air-to-air superiority; air-to-ground strike and more.

GA-ASI has been building and flying uncrewed jets for nearly two decades, beginning with the company-funded, weaponized MQ-20Avenger® in 2008. The company’s XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station jet, developed in collaboration with AFRL, is a cutting-edge model for autonomous collaborative platforms with advanced airborne sensing and served as a flying prototype for the FQ-42A concept.

Pre-production versions of the new fighter were designated “YFQ-42;” with “Y” designating a prototype phase. The award of an Air Force production contract means the forthcoming aircraft will be among the first in history to carry the novel FQ designation: “F” for fighter and “Q” designating the platform is uncrewed.

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