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Zulu Origin – LODEout

Thursday, September 25th, 2025

Add this to the list of cool stuff I saw at DSEI.

LODEout is Zulu Origin’s magnet based attachment system and I got a chance to check it out in the Edgar Brothers stand during the recent DSEI in London.

Zulu Origin is itself an interesting story. Several Veterans of various British military units got together after some time in university and industry to start a company solving problems facing the individual Soldier. Those same solutions, like LODEout, can be applied to a variety of applications.

The LODEOut system uses two components:

Receivers (above) and Modules (below)

The Receivers are designed to be used in conjunction with existing legacy systems like MOLLE or a Velcro grid and facilitate the rapid donning and doffing of the Modules.

Modules are purpose built pouches or panels, backed with rare earth magnets which plug into sockets on the Receiver. The magenta are backed up by the Rabbit Teeth Retention which “bite” into the top of the Receiver so the Module won’t come loose during operations.

I think of the Rabbit Teeth Retention like the teeth on the killer rabbit from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” that won’t let go once they get ahold of you. Except, these will let go as long as you pull the magnets free of their sockets and then pull the panel up. RTR are optional use in case the Module is one you want to be able to quickly detach. Use RTR for long movements or airborne and maritime operations.

As you can see in the top photo, Zulu Origin has already created a wide variety of Modules including Strip Charge Platforms, Rapid Deployment Stretchers (RD Stretcher), Individual First Aid Kits (IFAK), and Utility Pouches which have seen operational use with UK Forces. My favorite Module keeps a quadcopter mounted at the ready on the thigh, for rapid employment.

Zulu Origin is also in negotiation with numerous other manufacturers to licensing the LODEout system. Look for more info on them soon.

Posted in DSEi, International, Load Carrying | 3 Comments »

Shadow Concepts x Skydio – Magnetic Drop Release System

Wednesday, September 24th, 2025

One of the coolest things I ran across at DSEI is the Magnetic Drop Release System. Developed by the UK’s Shadow Concepts and sold by sUAS maker Skydio, the MDRS is a purpose built, magnetically actuated, end effector release system which integrates into Skydio XD10 quadcopters. This is particularly interesting for US forces who have adopted the Skydio system, which is on the Blue UAS list, for use at the Squad level. Currently, units are home brewing their own release systems for munitions.

Like those unit built systems, MDRS is 3D printed, but they use a much higher fidelity printer than is found in most workshops making it more durable and the novel magnetic release system offers consistent reliable payload retention during flight and release of ordnance precisely where you want it. It even maintains full holding force even if the drone loses power. MDRS only draws a momentary charge the moment you intentionally release the payload.

Additionally, there are several ways to attach the payload, including the MOLLE Plate Basket.

Shadow Concepts is working to adapt MDRS to other drones.

Posted in Drone, DSEi | Comments Off on Shadow Concepts x Skydio – Magnetic Drop Release System

Proof of Life – Spiritus Systems LV-120

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025

Spiritus Systems was on hand at DSEI and exhibiting the upcoming LV-120 armor carrier which will be available this fall.

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, DSEi | Comments Off on Proof of Life – Spiritus Systems LV-120

D&M Holding Company and DEMCO Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement at DSEI to Develop Propellant and Primer Production Facilities within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Monday, September 22nd, 2025

TAMPA, FL (September 22, 2025) – D&M Holding Company, Inc. (D&M), the global leader in delivering complete solutions for ammunition, primer, and propellant manufacturing facilities, and DEMCO Holding Company (DEMCO), a Saudi Arabian defense company, signed a strategic partnership agreement at the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) pavilion during the Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI 2025) event in London. The agreement focuses on developing, constructing, and commissioning state-of-the-art propellant and primer manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Under the agreement, D&M and DEMCO will collaborate to deliver single-base and double-base propellant factories as well as a modern primer manufacturing facility to support Saudi Arabia’s defense industrialization goals. The agreement combines DEMCO’s local market knowledge and regulatory expertise with D&M’s technical and project-delivery capabilities.

“We look forward to working closely with our partners to transfer expertise and build sustainable, locally operated facilities that meet Saudi Arabia’s strategic requirements,” said Dan Powers, President and CEO, D&M Holding Company.

The facilities will produce propellants and primers for small, medium, and large caliber ammunition.

About D&M Holding Company

D&M Holding Company, Inc. (D&M) is an ammunition and energetics engineering company headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with additional operations in Cabot, Arkansas. D&M specializes in the design and manufacture of ammunition and energetics equipment and turnkey factories for customers worldwide.

For more information visit D&M Holding Company.

Posted in Ammo, DSEi, Industry, International, Manufacturing, Press Release | Comments Off on D&M Holding Company and DEMCO Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement at DSEI to Develop Propellant and Primer Production Facilities within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Teledyne FLIR Defense Unveils SkyCarrier Autonomous UAS Launch and Recovery Platform

Friday, September 19th, 2025

Referred to as the “Drone-in-the-box” Teledyne FLIR debuted their new SkyCarrier Autonomous UAS Launch and Recovery Platform at last week’s DSEI in London.

The system enables fully autonomous quadcopter launch and recovery from fixed sites as well as vehicles or ships while on-the-move.

SkyCarrier’s ruggedized container fully protects the drone when closed and opens to unfold an articulating launch and landing pad, allowing drones to autonomously take off and return, even while in motion or on uneven terrain. The pad maximizes the UAV landing area, centers aircraft, and reduces storage space. Using visual markers such as NIR landing beacons and QR codes or AprilTags, the drone can precisely navigate back to the platform without operator input.

SkyCarrier has been successfully trialed on multiple maritime vessels, including fast attack boats and rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), and from ground vehicles traveling over rugged terrain at speeds up to 50km/h (30mph), demonstrating its reliability in real-world conditions.

Features:

Autonomous Launch & Recovery – Actively compensates up to 20°, enabling UAS to land on moving or stationary platforms without manual control

Environmental Protection – Protects the drone from brush, debris, and other environmental factors when not operating

Optionally Tethered – Supports either free-flight or tethered operation over a variety of radio and network configurations, even while the unit is fully closed

Autonomous Management – Supports rapid charging and active thermal management, enabling fully remote operations in extreme environments

‘Follow Me’ Mode – Drones can track and return to designated vehicles, personnel, or locations

Autonomous In-air Replacement (AIR) – A single operator can manage up to 16 drones, maintaining persistent surveillance by autonomously swapping drones mid-mission

Dark Mode & GPS-Denied Navigation – Operates in RF-silent and GPS-degraded environments using computer vision and dead reckoning; also features NIR beacons for low-visibility environments, obstacle avoidance, and jam-resistant RTK GPS

Extended Endurance with XL Batteries – Enables up to 45 minutes of flight time with a 2kg (4.4lb) payload.

Posted in Drone, DSEi | Comments Off on Teledyne FLIR Defense Unveils SkyCarrier Autonomous UAS Launch and Recovery Platform

M230 McDonnell Douglas Chain Gun in the Heckler & Koch Stand at DSEI?

Thursday, September 18th, 2025

During last week’s DSEI in London I had the opportunity to check out a few oddities which show up due to sovereign armaments agreements, such as this M230 McDonnell Douglas Chain Gun which was in the Heckler & Koch stand.

The M230 is used in the AgustaWestland AH1 Apache (AH-64D in the US and now AH-64E in UK service) which is in UK service. As you can see from the receiver markings below, it was manufactured in co-operation with McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co. by Royal Ordnance PLC. Royal Ordnance in turn, is owned by Heckler & Koch.

Why this circuitous process? Because many nations, including the UK require their arms be supplied and maintained by sovereign suppliers, or as we would say in the US, domestic suppliers. This requires original manufacturers to work closely with national firms and in some cases license their designs.

This situation also led me to see a GPMG FN Herstal MAG 58 variant in the H&K booth along with others, including this beauty which is currently manufactured in the US by Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.

Posted in DSEi, International, weapons | 1 Comment »

GM Defense Reveals New General Support Utility Platform (GSUP) for the First Time Globally

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

LONDON – GM Defense, which formed Team LionStrike with BAE Systems and NP Aerospace to compete for the UK’s Light Mobility Vehicle Programme, is launching its new General Support Utility Platform (GSUP) at DSEI in London, to equip the armed forces with the most advanced technology.

The new General Support Utility Platform is a rugged, high-performance, multi-mission vehicle designed for rapid configuration and deployment across a range of operational scenarios – delivering mobility, payload, capacity and flexibility. It is equipped with STORM Vanguard’s modular Rapid Adapt and Deploy System (RADS) – a game-changing modular system offering – and features GVA comms integration with Ultra PCS.

The vehicle is backed by Team LionStrike, a new collaboration focused on offering the UK MoD a mobility solution to rapidly modernize its ground vehicle fleet. The team is working together in pursuit of the UK Ministry of Defence’s Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) programme and will also address broader opportunities across NATO and allied nations. Team LionStrike will also deliver economic growth as part of the Land Industrial Strategy, and significant export growth potential.

Team LionStrike is building a sustainable supply chain and delivery ecosystem in the UK. The team will be supported by GM’s leading industry partners, NP Aerospace and BAE Systems and is also anchored by GM’s worldwide parts distribution system.

“Our objective with Team LionStrike is to support the UK Ministry of Defence’s goal of rapidly modernizing its ground vehicle fleet, providing soldiers the best tools to perform their mission,” said Steve duMont, President of GM Defense. “Vehicles like our General Support Utility Platform and our flagship Infantry Squad Vehicle are designed to deliver major advancements in operational capability and performance, along with unmatched safety and reliability.”

The new General Support Utility Platform is a high-performance, customizable multi-mission vehicle built on GM’s advanced technologies.

Key features include:

• GVW of 3500kg

• Payload of up to 1339kg

• Multi-variant solution

• Live 2,000 vehicle per month production line

• LHD and RHD options

Learn more about Team LionStrike and GM Defense’s strategic initiatives by visiting GM News.

Posted in DSEi, International, Mobility, Press Release | Comments Off on GM Defense Reveals New General Support Utility Platform (GSUP) for the First Time Globally