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The Janus Program: Fueling the Army’s Future with Resilient, On-Demand Nuclear Energy

Saturday, October 18th, 2025

WASHINGTON — The Army highlighted its commitment to innovation, readiness and partnership during the Association of the United States Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition October 14.

Secretary of the Army the Honorable Dan Driscoll announced the launch of The Janus Program, a next-generation nuclear power program designed to provide resilient, secure and reliable energy, strengthening warfighter readiness and combat lethality.

The Army is serving as the executive agent on The Janus Program, fulfilling President Trump’s Executive Order to advance nuclear technologies for national security by 2028. This program will ensure nuclear energy is a decisive advantage for the U.S. Army.

“This is about warfighting power,” said Secretary Driscoll, “Project Janus ensures our warfighters can train, deploy, and fight with the certainty that power will never be the limiting factor in victory.”

Modern combat depends on reliable energy sources to conduct global operations. The Janus Program will provide critical power to our installations and their communication networks, weapons systems, and command nodes. Janus is designed to prevent installation and mission vulnerability to grid instability, natural disasters, or adversarial attacks.

The program will field nuclear microreactors capable of operating independently of the civilian power grid, ensuring uninterrupted power for forces in any environment through collaboration with the Department of Energy (DOE). By leveraging its nuclear regulatory authorities in partnership with the DOE, the Army will move forward with microreactors that are safe, resilient, and adaptable.

“Drawing on my experiences leading Project Pele, I will be personally overseeing Project Janus to ensure we deliver the safest, most resilient, and most effective nuclear energy program possible,” said Jeff Waksman, Ph.D., Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment. “This effort will directly underpin readiness, lethality, and the warfighter ethos – providing warfighters with reliable power in any environment, at any time.”

The Army partnered with the Department of War’s Defense Innovation Unit to bring this microreactor technology to the force quickly and efficiently. The Army will further provide technical oversight and facilitate the uranium fuel cycle and nuclear supply chain.

“The Janus Program is a strategic leap forward in American energy dominance,” said Hon. Emil Michael, Acting Director of the Defense Innovation Unit. “By fusing the Army’s operational might with DIU’s innovation engine, we’re delivering resilient energy to the warfighter. Together, the Army and DIU are driving a domestic nuclear industry that will strengthen U.S. energy security.”

The Janus Program will give Soldiers the necessary edge in contested battlespaces by ensuring reliable uninterrupted, independent energy is available at all times. It will fuel installation resilience, power mission assurance, and guarantee warfighter dominance – ensuring the Joint Force remain the most lethal and ready force in the world.

SGT Woodlyne Escarne

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Power | 1 Comment »

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Tubes Bald Eagle T-Shirt

Friday, October 17th, 2025

The FirstSpear TUBES BALD EAGLE T-SHIRT brings purpose-built comfort and everyday performance in a clean, no-nonsense design. Constructed from a durable 60/40 cotton-poly blend, this shirt hits the sweet spot between lightweight breathability and long-term wearability. It’s built for hard use—whether you’re putting in work on the range, training, or off the clock.

A bold Bald Eagle graphic dominates the back, gripping a FirstSpear 4″ Tube™ in its talons—a nod to strength, precision, and the innovation that drives every piece of FirstSpear gear.

The front keeps it low-profile with the classic Spear Tip logo, representing capability without compromise. Designed with the same mindset behind our load-bearing systems and armor platforms, this tee blends comfort, mobility, and mission-ready durability. The athletic fit won’t slow you down and the soft hand feel keeps it comfortable through long days in the field or downtime at home.

The FirstSpear Tubes Bald Eagle Tee stands for the same values that define the brand—innovation, American craftsmanship, and relentless performance. From the first layer you pull on to the last light of the day, it’s built to move with you, hold up under pressure, and represent the standard.

To request an estimate click image above or visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting edge-tactical gear for military, law enforcement and those who train. For more information visit First-Spear.

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post | Comments Off on FirstSpear Friday Focus: Tubes Bald Eagle T-Shirt

Army, DIU Select Anduril to Advance Next-Generation Counter-UAS Fire Control Capabilities

Friday, October 17th, 2025

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, in coordination with Defense Innovation Unit, successfully completed the C-UAS fire control solution competition, selecting Anduril as the winner.

This result represents a critical step in identifying and integrating the most effective fire control solutions to counter the rapidly evolving threat of unmanned aircraft systems. “This competition allowed us to rigorously evaluate innovative technologies in a realistic operational environment, ensuring our Soldiers have the tools they need to maintain air superiority,” said Lt. Col. Adam Samiof, Product Manager, PdM C-UAS.

The Army will continue working closely with Anduril to refine and integrate this cutting-edge technology into its C-UAS architecture, ensuring the highest level of protection for our warfighters.

By Darrell Ames

Posted in Army, C-UAS, Contracts, Guest Post | 2 Comments »

PRISM to Open Pre-Orders for Hybrid Top This Friday

Wednesday, October 15th, 2025

PRISM is launching their PR-SDHT1 Hybrid Top in Meteorite. Utilizing MMI SAM2 stretch nylon featuring Hydrophobic capabilities as the base material, while a contrast mesh is purposefully paneled and gusseted for better body mobility and breathability.

The Hybrid Top is PRISM’s introduction into a wider range of technical training products. The Hybrid Top is 100% Made in the USA with more development and products to follow soon. The goal for 2026 is to deliver end users with products that are not only unique, but built with form and function in mind.

Pre-Orders will be available starting 10/17 while additional versions of the Hybrid Top will be released shortly after. For more information, feel free to contact info@prism.us / www.prism.us/shop

Posted in Clothing, Guest Post | Comments Off on PRISM to Open Pre-Orders for Hybrid Top This Friday

TIAD Activation Marks New Chapter for ARCYBER

Tuesday, October 14th, 2025

Fort Gordon, GA —U.S. Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER) activated the second Theater Information Advantage Detachment (TIAD) during a ceremony held at the Cyber Conference and Catering Center at Fort Gordon Friday, October 3, 2025.

The activation marks a pivotal step in the Army’s evolving approach to information warfare.

Col. John Agnello, 2nd TIAD Commander, took charge of the ARCYBER TIAD, guiding a unit focused on supporting operations across the broader information environment. In remarks at TechNet Augusta earlier this year, Agnello highlighted the growing relevance of the TIAD’s mission in today’s complex strategic landscape.

“In an era where information is both weapon and shield, the mission of this detachment is nothing short of strategic necessity,” said Agnello “But no algorithm or system can replace the ingenuity and resolve of our soldiers. This TIAD is built on the shoulders of soldiers who bring not only technical mastery, but the courage to challenge, the creativity to adapt, and the conviction to lead. I’m honored to command a team that doesn’t just execute the mission; they embody it. They are the Army’s advantage in the information fight, and a key reason we’re positioned to succeed.”

The ARCYBER TIAD is one of three planned detachments tailored to specific geographic commands: Indo-Pacific, Europe, and ARCYBER itself. Each TIAD integrates disciplines such as cyber operations, electronic warfare, psychological operations, civil affairs, and public affairs into a unified team.

The activation ceremony served as an opportunity for soldiers and civilians from across the cyber and Information Operations community to gather and witness the birth of a unit that promises to redefine how the Army competes in the digital age.

Lt. Gen. Maria Barrett, Commander of ARCYBER, praised the TIAD concept during the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2024 annual meeting, noting that these detachments are essential for countering disinformation and malign influence:

“From the Signal Corps of World War II to the satellite networks of Desert Storm, the Army has always adapted to the character of conflict. Today, with the activation of this TIAD, we carry that legacy forward—into the information domain, where influence is decisive and truth must be defended. This is not just a new unit; it’s the next chapter in how the Army fights and wins.”

With its activation, the ARCYBER TIAD now stands at Initial Operating Capability—a foundational milestone that marks the beginning of its operational journey. As the unit builds toward Full Operating Capability, it will continue refining its integration across cyber, information, and influence disciplines, ensuring commanders have the tools and insights needed to compete effectively in the information environment across the competition continuum.

The road ahead is deliberate and mission-focused, with each step reinforcing the Army’s commitment to shaping the future of information warfare through innovation, agility, and the strength of its people.

Story by MAJ Lindsay Roman

U.S. Army Cyber Command

Posted in Army, Cyber, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

US Marines and Sailors Train and Experiment with Emerging Drone Technology in Okinawa

Monday, October 13th, 2025

CAMP SCHWAB, OKINAWA, Japan —

From Aug. 11 to 22, 2025, U.S. Marines and Sailors with 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, trained with, integrated, and expanded their use of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). For the first time, Marines flew untethered sUAS over an Okinawa-based, Marine Corps installation.

This aligns directly with the Secretary of Defense’s drone modernization guidance, released July 10, 2025, which prioritizes training with autonomous capabilities, leaning into adaptability, and pursuing joint-force integration with these emerging technologies.

“The Marines and Sailors with 4th Marine Regiment are getting use to utilizing and innovating with technology that we haven’t used in the past,” said Capt. Wesley Pond, Regimental Assistant Air Officer, 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division and lead planner of the sUAS and autonomous, unmanned ground vehicle (A-UGV) training on Camp Schwab. “We are helping them to see new things, new ways to find an adversary and new ways of moving about the battlespace.”

The Marines and Sailors attended a course with the Skydio X2D sUAS to sustain their proficiency with the system. This in-depth training allowed some servicemembers to receive an additional Military Occupational Specialty as sUAS operators after they completed all the required training objectives. The Marines in the course were able to take their increased proficiency in sUAS employment back to their unit to better integrate the systems in future training evolutions.

“Marines of any rank are encouraged to participate in the courses in order to receive the qualifications to operate group one UAS,” said Pond. “This in total increases the Marine Corps’ combat effectiveness by having capable Marines, of any MOS, at the ready to operate drones in any situation.”

“We will continue to push the metaphorical football down the field and keep getting better. We are going to field the Marines with the weapons and the systems they need to enhance their lethality, to go confidently into the next battlespace and know they are walking into a fight that they are well prepared for.”

– said Capt. Wesley Pond, Regimental Assistant Air Officer, 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division and lead planner of the sUAS and autonomous, unmanned ground vehicle (A-UGV) training on Camp Schwab.

The Marines and Sailors with 4th Marine Regiment refined shared procedures for experimental methods of extracting an emergency casualty via the Mission Master. This A-UGV platform can assist with tactical transport, resupply, and casualty evacuation, reducing danger to dismounted troops across a wide range of missions, including high-risk situations.

“This is the first time our corpsmen in the 4th Marines Regimental Aid Station have had the opportunity to train with and use an autonomous system as a CASEVAC platform,” said U.S. Navy Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman David Long, senior enlisted leader, 4th Marines Regimental Aid Station.

In this training scenario, the Mission Master was used to carry wounded servicemembers out of harm’s way on the battlefield, enabling the Corpsmen to quickly and tactically bring the casualty behind friendly lines.

“This takes a huge load off the humans that would previously have to physically carry that casualty on a litter a long distance or we would have to use a large, loud tactical vehicle,” said Long. “It also allows us to provide treatment enroute to the casualty collection point for follow-on care. This capability has the potential to help us save lives and quickly return more Marines back to the fight.”

As the future of warfighting continues to evolve, 4th Marine Regiment continues to modernize as well.

“This training demonstrates the 4th Marine Regiment’s commitment to train as we fight and to compete with adversary capabilities now,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Barclay, commanding officer, 4th Marine Regiment. “Training isn’t just about preparing for a future fight but maintaining a decisive edge in the current operating environment. What Capt. Pond, the 3d Marine Division, and Marine Corps Installations Pacific team have achieved is just the start of much more work to be done within the realms of sUAS and UGV training.”

Cpl Joaquin Carlos Dela Torre

3rd Marine Division

Posted in Drone, Guest Post, USMC | Comments Off on US Marines and Sailors Train and Experiment with Emerging Drone Technology in Okinawa

Air Force Experiments with AI, Boosts Battle Management Speed, Accuracy

Saturday, October 11th, 2025

LAS VEGAS (AFNS) —

The Air Force wrapped up the second Decision Advantage Sprint for Human-Machine Teaming, known as DASH 2, a fast-paced experiment exploring how artificial intelligence can help operators make faster, smarter decisions in complex battlespaces.

DASH 2 took place at the Shadow Operations Center-Nellis’ unclassified location in downtown Las Vegas and was led by the Advanced Battle Management System Cross-Functional Team.The effort was conducted in partnership with the Air Force Research Lab’s 711th Human Performance Wing, the Integrated Capabilities Command and the 805th Combat Training Squadron, also known as the ShOC-N.

“DASH 2 proved human-machine teaming is no longer theoretical,” said Col. Jonathan Zall, ABMS Capability Integration chief. “By fusing operator judgment with AI speed, the Air Force is shaping the future of decision advantage in joint and coalition operations.”

AI Speeds Decision Advantage

Initial results showed that machines produced recommendations in less than ten seconds and generated 30 times more options than human-only teams. Two vendors each produced more than 6,000 solutions for roughly 20 problems in just one hour. The software’s accuracy was on par with human performance, despite only two weeks of development. In one case, a single algorithm adjustment would have raised recommendation validity from 70 percent to more than 90 percent.

“This level of output gives commanders options to execute multiple kill chains simultaneously and we’re excited about our next experiment to generate the courses of action with the machines to help illuminate risk, opportunity gain/loss, material gain/loss, among others,” said Col. John Ohlund, ABMS CFT director.

Inside DASH 2

The DASH series is part of the Air Force’s campaign to modernize command and control and gain decision advantage through human-machine teaming. Each sprint refines a specific decision function and informs future Department of the Air Force C2 development. The series also supports the Pentagon’s Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control initiative.

“Human-machine teaming is critical to accelerating the speed and quality of decisions across the joint force, and DASH 2 provides the insights we need to make that a reality,” Zall said.

Human-Machine Teaming in Action

Seven teams participated in DASH 2, including six industry teams and one ShOC-N innovation team. Their challenge was to design AI-enabled microservices capable of assisting operators with the “match effectors” function, which determines the best available weapon system to destroy an identified target.

Developers observed battle management crews operating without machine assistance, then iteratively designed and tested tools to augment human decision-making. Final demonstrations compared human-only performance against human-machine performance, measuring speed, quantity and quality.

“Being part of DASH 2 showed us how human-machine teaming can enhance performance without losing operator judgment,” said Capt. Steven Mohan III, 726th Air Control Squadron chief of standards and evaluations.

Industry and Air Force Collaboration

Evaluation focused on whether these tools helped operators make more effective decisions, not just process more data.

DASH 2 also reaffirmed the value of co-development with both industry and Air Force developers. Companies retained intellectual property rights while the Air Force gained insight into integration and functional requirements for future C2 software.

“At the ShOC-N, our mission is to put new capabilities into operators’ hands and test them under conditions that resemble real-world battle management,” said Lt. Col. Shawn Finney, 805th CTS/ShOC-N commander. “DASH 2 demonstrated how the battle lab enables rigorous testing while maintaining operational fidelity, bridging the gap between concept and capability.”

Early Results and Lessons Learned

The 711th HPW collected data on operator performance, workload and teaming dynamics. Findings confirmed that AI can accelerate decision-making while keeping humans at the center of the process.

“Collaboration with AFRL, the ABMS program office and industry allowed us to rapidly experiment, refine requirements and accelerate the path from concept to capability delivery,” Ohlund said.

Shaping the Future of C2

The DASH series is a key step in modernizing Air Force command and control. By combining human judgment with AI, the service is preparing operators to make faster, more informed decisions in future contested environments.

“DASH 2 proved human-machine teaming is no longer theoretical,” Zall said. “By fusing operator judgment with AI speed, the Air Force is shaping the future of decision advantage in joint and coalition operations.”

By Deb Henley, 505th Command and Control Wing Public Affairs

805th Combat Training Squadron, also known as the Shadow Operations Center-Nellis

Posted in AI / ML, Air Force, C5ISR, Guest Post | Comments Off on Air Force Experiments with AI, Boosts Battle Management Speed, Accuracy

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Rash Guard

Friday, October 10th, 2025

FirstSpear’s RASH GUARDS are engineered for high-performance use in maritime, watersport, or tactical environments. Constructed from a proprietary USA-made blend of 83 % polyester and 17 % spandex, it offers an ultralight compression fit that clings close to the body without excess bulk.

The fabric is quick-drying, allowing moisture to dissipate rapidly and preventing the garment from remaining saturated during activity. Smooth flat seams minimize rubbing or abrasion, even when the Rash Guard is worn under gear, harnesses, or in high-friction settings.

In addition to mechanical protection, the material provides natural UV defense, helping shield skin from sun exposure during extended operations or sessions on the water. Low-profile integrated thumbholes help anchor the sleeves in place, especially when donning additional equipment or layering over gear. FirstSpear advises ordering your normal t-shirt size for a snug, compression-style fit, while stepping up one or two sizes yields a slightly more relaxed feel without sacrificing performance.

The Rash Guard is available in both short- and long-sleeve versions, offering versatility for different climates or mission profiles. It is entirely manufactured in the USA, aligning with FirstSpear’s commitment to domestic production and quality control. Its blend of stretch, durability, and rapid drying behavior makes it well-suited for repeated use in harsh environments. Whether worn as a standalone base layer, under armor, or for training, it balances protection, comfort, and function. With mission-oriented design and materials, it stands as a dependable piece for those operating in aquatic, coastal, or gear-intensive settings.

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