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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 »

Modernizing Air Force TACP Ground Evaluations

Tuesday, March 17th, 2026

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — Air Force tactical air control party (TACP) operators from the 19th Air Support Operations Squadron underwent a comprehensive mission evaluation in January, utilizing advanced electronic warfare and autonomous drone technology to validate new ground combat standards.

The evaluation, which became a requirement for Air Force Special Warfare TACP units roughly two years ago, ensures operators maintain combat mission readiness through a full mission profile. The rigorous assessment covers every phase of a deployment, including preparation, infiltration, action on objectives, exfiltration, and a final mission debrief. Special Operations Warfare Ground Evaluations are conducted every 24 months to validate the unit’s combat mission readiness and ability to operate in in contested environments.

The evaluation began in a classroom setting where the team received a warning order detailing the mission. Lt. Col. Craig Lowrey, the 19th ASOS director of operations, served as the team leader during the exercise. He said the initial phase required the team to analyze the overarching mission set and discuss the scheme of maneuver while identifying the expectations for both friendly and enemy forces.

Once the planning phase concluded and a written portion was completed, the team moved to the field for a target acquisition mission. Evaluators provided only a rough area of interest, forcing the team to rely on specialized equipment to pinpoint an enemy location on an airfield.

The insertion took place in total darkness, requiring every operator to utilize night vision goggles. 1st Lt. Michael Morin, a ground evaluator assigned to the 19th ASOS, said the lack of ambient light made the mission particularly difficult.

Upon reaching the vicinity of the objective rally point, the team secured the area. While the assistant team leader maintained security, the team launched a small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Skydio X2D drone. The sUAS was flown several hundred meters from the target area, obscured by the tree line, to get eyes on the objective.

The sUAS, which features 3D mapping and collision avoidance, allowed the team to navigate the forest and locate targets in a large open area. This provided the commander with a live video feed to refine the targeting data.

Simultaneously, the team utilized Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) using the Beast+ platform. This handheld device identifies and tracks adversary signals, such as radio or cellular communications.

“It can hear what kind of frequencies are being used,” Morin said. “It can help us pinpoint where radio traffic is coming from.”

By combining the signal data from the Beast+ with the visual data from the drone, the commander was able to determine the exact direction and location of the enemy.

Lowrey said the team made its way through multiple checkpoints before reaching the objective area. By using the technology to refine their targeting, they were able to send reconnaissance and surveillance teams forward to pinpoint high-priority targets. This allowed the team to successfully coordinate simulated airstrikes and artillery strikes.

The introduction of these ground evaluations reflects a shift in how the Air Force tests its special warfare operators. Morin noted that because these evaluations are relatively new, units are still refining the process to ensure operators are tested to the highest of their abilities.

The integration of low-profile, high-power technology like the Beast+ and Suas autonomous drones are essential for the TACP community as it prepares for near-peer conflicts where the electromagnetic spectrum is a primary battlefield.

By Jedhel Somera

Posted in AFSW, Air Force, EW, Guest Post | 1 Comment »

BFG Monday: Ranger Green vs. OD Green – What’s the Difference?

Monday, March 16th, 2026

While there are many shades of green that occupy the military space (Foliage Green, Sage Green, and Army Green to name a few), Ranger Green and OD Green seem to be the most sought after and widely recognized. These two greens look similar, with muted tones that pair well with a variety of colors like gray, black, coyote brown, and Multicam or other camouflage patterns. So, what’s the difference in the two shades?

OD Green, short for Olive Drab Green, has been a staple of military equipment and uniforms since World War II. It’s a warm, medium-toned green with yellow-brown undertones and is described as “earthy” or “organic.” Ranger Green, by contrast, is a newer development born out of Army SOF requirements in the early 2000s. It is cooler with gray undertones that push it away from the olive family and closer to a subdued, slate-influenced green. For a deeper look at where Ranger Green came from and the history behind its development, check out BFG’s original article on the subject.

The gray component in Ranger Green is the key to understanding why it was developed as a distinct color. OD Green performs well in a broad range of vegetated environments, particularly in temperate zones with lush, mid-toned foliage. Ranger Green, however, was designed with darker, denser environments in mind. Its cooler tones allow it to blend more naturally into shadowed terrain and low-light conditions, where OD Green’s warmer hues can appear slightly bright by comparison. This also makes Ranger Green a strong performer at dusk and dawn during transitional lighting conditions.

The easiest way to distinguish the two is to look at them in indirect or overcast light. OD Green will read warmer and slightly more saturated, with that characteristic olive quality. Ranger Green will appear flatter and grayer, almost as if the green has been dialed back and cooled down. In direct sunlight, the gap between the two can narrow, which is one reason they’re occasionally mistaken for each other in photos.

So, which color is your favorite? Now’s your chance to find out because in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, BFG is offering OD and Ranger Green Vickers Slings at a discounted price! They will only be available while supplies last. Shop the sale today!

About Blue Force Gear®

Widely known for supplying the world’s best weapon slings, Blue Force Gear also leads the lightweight load carriage equipment revolution with Ten-Speed multi-use pouches, MOLLEminus platforms, and their patented Helium Whisper attachment system. Their proprietary ULTRACOMP high-performance coated fabric laminate material, unrivaled innovation, attention to detail, and obsession with reducing weight sets Blue Force Gear apart from others in the tactical equipment industry. Blue Force Gear is a Great Place to Work Certified Company. For more information on products, proprietary technologies, or how BFG continues to reduce weight for the warfighter, visit their website: www.blueforcegear.com

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Materials | No 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 »

Developing Autonomous Foreign Language Learners

Sunday, March 15th, 2026

Since 2022, an Air Force mentorship initiative has been quietly revolutionizing how Airmen linguists transition from the foreign language classroom to fully operational linguists.

By focusing on autonomous learning, the 517th Training Group at the Presidio of Monterey, California, has implemented a Global Language Mentorship program that has successfully narrowed a long-standing gap in the Air Force’s second-longest training pipeline.

Historically, the transition for graduates from the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center’s academic world to an operational unit was a point of contention. From eight hours of highly intensive instructor-led language learning per day, graduates would find themselves in a self-directed environment at a new duty station.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael Stump talks to students attending the two-week Cryptologic Language Analyst Preparatory Course. During the course, mentors introduce the concept of “learner autonomy,” the ability to take 100% ownership of one’s linguistic proficiency.

“They go from a structured academic environment to suddenly being expected to maintain those high-level scores autonomously as adults,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Stump, noncommissioned officer in charge of the GLM program. Before this program, he explained, they were seeing 18% of graduates fail their first Defense Language Proficiency Test upon arriving at their follow-on duty stations.

In a career field where training can take years and costs millions in taxpayer dollars, an 18% failure rate at the end of the pipeline represented a significant loss of potential.

The GLM program attacks this problem by intervening before the first day of class. While students are in the two-week Cryptologic Language Analyst Preparatory Course, mentors introduce the concept of “learner autonomy,” the ability to take 100% ownership of one’s linguistic proficiency. The course also provides tailored insights into each individual student’s optimal learning styles.

“We reinforce what they learned through the prep course and maintain that motivation throughout the duration of their time at DLI,” Stump said. “We act as an extension of the CPC, meeting with students once a semester.” This mentorship continues on through their follow-on training at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas.

By teaching Airmen how to learn—rather than just what to learn—the program ensures that when the safety net of the classroom is removed, the linguist has the tools to stay sharp.

The results of this shift toward early mentorship are significant. Since the GLM program’s inception, the post-graduate DLPT failure rate has dropped from 18% to just 12%, representing a 33% reduction in graduated linguists regressing back below DLIFLC standards after they leave the school.

For the Air Force, those percentage points translate into dozens of additional mission ready linguists staying combat ready every year without the need for costly remedial training.

“We need a source of motivation to tap into. When our discipline may be wavering, we need that ‘why,’” said Master Sgt. Marlyn Williams, flight chief for the CPC and GLM program. “Programs like these ensure our Airmen aren’t just incredibly proficient at their language but that they’re motivated, mission-focused, and ready to defend with professionalism and integrity.”

by Tamara Cario | Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center

Posted in Guest Post, Training | 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 »

FirstSpear Friday Focus: HOODLUM HOODIE – ACM MID 400

Friday, March 13th, 2026

The FirstSpear HOODLUM HOODIE™ – ACM™ MID 400 is built from ACM-MID 400, a dual-layer knit designed for performance in demanding environments. The interior layer is 100% polyester and pulls moisture away from the skin, while the exterior layer is 100% merino wool that absorbs and disperses that moisture. This system helps regulate temperature and keep you dry during movement or extended wear. The 7.7 oz fabric offers a balance of warmth, breathability, and durability without adding unnecessary bulk.

Designed for operational use, the HOODLUM HOODIE™ – ACM™ MID 400 provides a comfortable, flexible fit with enough stretch to move freely during activity. A full-length front zipper allows for quick ventilation and easy layering. The form-fitting hood adds protection from the elements while maintaining a streamlined profile.

Two zippered front handwarmer pockets provide secure storage and added warmth when needed. Thumbholes integrated into the cuffs help keep sleeves in place and offer additional coverage in cold conditions.

The Hoodlum Hoodie can be worn standalone or integrated into a larger clothing system. Built for reliability in the field, it delivers practical performance with a low-profile design. Made in the USA, the HOODLUM HOODIE™ – ACM™ MID 400 reflects FirstSpear’s commitment to mission-focused gear.

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.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post | 1 Comment »