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FirstSpear Introduces Vanguard Program with Prime Hall

Monday, March 16th, 2026

FENTON, Mo. (March 13, 2026) – FirstSpear®, the industry leader in load-bearing technology and personal protective equipment, announced the launch of its Vanguard Program, a strategic initiative designed to formalize the feedback loop between the engineering lab and the operational field. Coinciding with this launch, FirstSpear has named former Marine Raider and water survival expert Prime Hall as its lead maritime Vanguard.

The Vanguard Program represents a distinct departure from the “influencer” models common in the industry. Instead, FirstSpear Vanguards are selected strictly for their operational pedigree, subject matter expertise, and ability to validate equipment in non-permissive environments.

“The Vanguard Program is our commitment to the end user: we prioritize lethality and safety over likes,” said Lynn Twiss, vice president of marketing for FS Holdings and FirstSpear. “We aren’t interested in ‘influencers’; we are partnering with first-line subject matter experts who understand the gravity of the environments our end users operate in. Prime Hall is the embodiment of a Vanguard. He knows that when you are in the water, gear is survival. His role is to articulate why systems like the AAC Frog Kit have been the quiet professionals’ choice, not because it’s trendy, but because it works when nothing else will.”

Prime Hall: Lead Maritime Vanguard

As the inaugural lead maritime Vanguard, Prime Hall brings extensive special operations experience to the FirstSpear team. A former U.S. Marine Raider and water survival instructor, Hall is a recognized authority on aquatic safety and high-performance mindset training.

In this role, Hall will focus on operational validation and education. He will demonstrate the critical capabilities of the AAC Frog Kit (Assaulter Armor Carrier Frog Kit), and the Adaptive Cummerbund featuring CTAF bladders that FirstSpear-pioneered. Hall will highlight how these specific technologies have quietly set the benchmark for safety and performance in USSOCOM, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

“To perform at the highest level, you have to access a flow state, that mental zone where everything slows down and execution is automatic. But the water is a chaos agent; it introduces massive physical and mental ‘drag’ that kicks you out of flow,” said Prime Hall. “You can’t maintain high processing power if you’re fighting your equipment. That’s why FirstSpear is the standard for the elite. The AAC Frog Kit and Adaptive Cummerbund don’t just float you, they eliminate the drag. They allow you to ‘close the tabs’ on the environment and stay locked in the flow. I’m here to validate why this kit is the cheat code for maritime operations.”

Tiberius Aerospace Welcomes Rob Murray to Advisory Board

Saturday, March 14th, 2026

Tiberius Aerospace, a modern defence technology company built to empower the UK, US and their global allies with next-generation weapon systems and AI-powered solutions, today announced the appointment of Rob Murray, Chief Executive Officer of the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) Development Group and a leading architect of NATO’s defence innovation ecosystem, to its Advisory Board.

Murray brings more than two decades of experience at the intersection of defence, finance and emerging technologies. He is widely recognized for shaping how allied nations mobilise capital and innovation to strengthen national security and industrial resilience. As NATO’s inaugural Head of Innovation, Murray led the creation of the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and the NATO Innovation Fund, a $1 billion multi-sovereign venture capital fund designed to accelerate investment in dual-use technologies across the Alliance. These initiatives were created to connect governments, industry, investors and technology innovators to accelerate the development and adoption of emerging capabilities for defence and security.

Murray is currently CEO of the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank Development Group, which is working to establish a new international financial institution designed to mobilise large-scale capital for defence and security investment among allied nations. He previously served as Chief Innovation Officer at Saab and spent nearly a decade at NATO Headquarters in Brussels working on defence investment, intelligence, and emerging technologies. At Tiberius Aerospace, Murray will advise the company on strategic partnerships, defence innovation ecosystem and the financing structures required to scale next-generation defence technologies and strengthen allied industrial capacity.

Chad Steelberg, Co-Founder and CEO of Tiberius Aerospace said: “Rob has been at the centre of the effort to rethink how the West funds and accelerates defence innovation. His work connecting governments, capital and technology builders has fundamentally reshaped the ecosystem around emerging defence capabilities. As we expand our Grail platform and bring new technologies to market, Rob’s experience in building allied innovation networks and mobilising investment will be invaluable.”

Rob Murray said “We’re entering a period where the speed at which allies can innovate, finance and field new capabilities will shape the strategic balance. What excites me about Tiberius is its willingness to rethink how defence technology is built, funded and delivered. I’m humbled and honoured to be asked to join the Advisory Board.”

Murray also serves as a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security and teaches innovation and strategy at Johns Hopkins University. A former British Army officer, he has spent his career advancing collaboration between governments, industry and capital markets to accelerate the development of emerging defence and security technologies. His appointment further strengthens Tiberius Aerospace’s Advisory Board as the company expands its work to deliver new technologies and platforms that enable faster procurement, stronger domestic supply chains and better value for allied defence spending.

For more information, please visit www.tiberius.com.

DroneShield Establishes European Manufacturing Footprint to Advance Sovereign Counter-UAS Capability

Thursday, March 12th, 2026

Sydney, Australia – 11 March 2026 – DroneShield (ASX:DRO), a global leader in counter-drone technology, today announced the establishment of counter-UAS manufacturing in the EU, marking a major expansion of the Company’s European industrial footprint and manufacturing capacity. The announcement follows increased momentum across the continent, with national military investments growing under the ReArm Europe Plan / Readiness 2030 initiative, accelerating the need for mature, scalable, and sovereign counter-UAS capability.

Under a new collaboration with an experienced and established manufacturer, production of European-made counter-UAS systems is now underway, with delivery scheduled for mid-2026. The contract manufacturer will carry out full turnkey assembly and component manufacturing, including PCB assembly, precision machining, cable and wire harness assembly, and associated assembly and testing labor. As part of this collaboration, DroneShield has established and will continue to grow a primarily EU-based supply chain, making this the Company’s only production line currently outside of Australia.

DroneShield’s European manufacturing footprint positions the Company more competitively for EU procurement opportunities, which increasingly prioritizes sovereign capability, regional production, and resilient supply chains, ensuring DroneShield can meet these expectations while delivering at scale and with reduced lead times.

Image: DroneShield have established a European production line

Oleg Vornik, Chief Executive of DroneShield said, “Europe is undergoing a profound shift in counter-UAS preparedness. By establishing dedicated manufacturing in the EU, DroneShield is contributing to Europe’s sovereign capability while continuing to deliver rapidly and reliably for our European customers. The ReArm Europe Plan / Readiness 2030 initiative has highlighted the importance of localized, scalable production, and this new production line positions us to meet that demand.”

The establishment of counter-UAS production in Europe forms part of DroneShield’s global manufacturing expansion, which is planned to grow the Company’s combined total annual production capacity from approximately $500 million in 2025 to an expected $2.4 billion by the end of 2026. This uplift supports rising operational demand across Europe, and reinforces DroneShield’s commitment to strengthening industrial bases and diversifying global supply chains, as militaries, law enforcement and critical infrastructure operators expand and modernize counter-UAS capabilities.

Hidden Wounds Receives $50,000 Donation from Philip Morris International U.S. to Expand Rapid Mental-Health Stabilization for Veterans

Wednesday, March 11th, 2026

Funding supports lifesaving crisis stabilization, suicide prevention, peer support, and essential services for South Carolina’s at-risk veterans

SUMTER, S.C., March 9, 2026 — Hidden Wounds, a South Carolina-based nonprofit providing immediate mental-health stabilization and long-term support for veterans, today announced a $50,000 donation from Philip Morris International’s U.S. businesses (PMI U.S.). The funding comes at a critical moment as South Carolina and the nation face rising rates of veteran suicide, with an estimated 17.6 veterans dying by suicide every day, according to a 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“Our mission is simple: No veteran should face their darkest hour alone,” said Dr. Lance Newman, Executive Director of Hidden Wounds, CPS, CPT, CSCS (Retired). “The support from PMI U.S. helps us keep our doors open and our hands outstretched to the men and women who sacrificed for us.”

Hidden Wounds fills urgent gaps in care by offering rapid crisis stabilization, peer-led support groups, and warm handoffs to treatment, ensuring that veterans receive fast, practical help when they need it most. In 2025 alone, the organization supported thousands of veterans experiencing PTSD, homelessness, food insecurity, depression, and other invisible wounds – often providing same-day stabilization and ongoing community support.

“Hidden Wounds is meeting veterans where they are, often in moments when they can’t wait days or weeks for help,” said Jake Jacobs, Director of External Affairs, Southeast Region at PMI U.S. “Their team provides immediate stabilization, real human connection, and long-term pathways to recovery, and PMI U.S. is proud to support an organization delivering such pragmatic, lifesaving impact for veterans across South Carolina.”

This gift reflects PMI U.S.’s commitment to pragmatic philanthropy­, advancing practical, measurable results by supporting organizations delivering real impact for the military community. Since 2022, PMI U.S. has invested more than $35 million in charitable giving, including over $7M towards organizations serving U.S. service members, veterans, and their families across legal services, housing, mental health support and emergency economic relief.

In 2025, Hidden Wounds delivered measurable impact across South Carolina:

  • Supported 8,000+ veterans through the food pantry
  • Provided care to 87 veterans in nursing homes
  • Helped 15 veterans move from homelessness to permanent housing
  • Fed 5,800 veterans during Thanksgiving and Christmas
  • Maintained daily in-person support that keeps hundreds of veterans connected and safe

In partnership with VAlanthropy, Hidden Wounds recently broke ground on Village Alpha, a permanent housing community consisting of 650-square-foot apartments designed to help veterans stabilize, rebuild, and integrate. Construction began in February 2026 in Sumter, South Carolina, with the aim to offer immediate housing for veterans in need in addition to the other offerings and support Hidden Wounds provides.

Isembard Raises $50m Series A to Open 25 AI-Powered Factories Serving Aerospace and Defense

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026
  • Company manufactures components for aerospace, defense and robotics in factories powered by MasonOS, its proprietary agentic AI platform
  • Round led by Union Square Ventures
  • Supports 2026 growth from 6 to 25 factories in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France and Ukraine

Dallas and London | March 9th, 2026 — Isembard today announces that it has raised $50 million in Series A funding, less than 12 months after its Seed round. The capital will accelerate the company’s plan to open 25 factories by the end of 2026, expand its engineering teams while launching into Germany, France and Ukraine.

The round was led by Union Square Ventures, an early backer of Twitter, Coinbase, Etsy, Abridge and Twilio. New investors Tamarack Global and IQ Capital joined the round alongside existing investors Notion Capital and CIV. Angel investors include Alex Bouaziz (Founder and CEO of Deel), Andrei Danescu (Founder and CEO of Dexory Robotics) and Matt Briers (former CFO of Wise).

Component manufacturing is a market worth $1.8 trillion a year. Yet small businesses account for 95% of production and they are rapidly disappearing. The average owner is over 65 years old and 40% plan to retire within five years. This erosion of industrial capacity is colliding with surging demand from aerospace, defense, energy and robotics companies given re-shoring and spending increases on critical industries. Without decisive action, the widening gap between supply of factories and demand from customers risks hollowing out the industrial base of Europe and North America.

Isembard manufactures high-precision components for many of the world’s most demanding customers. The company operates its own and franchisee factories, differentiated by its proprietary software and AI system, MasonOS, which runs them. MasonOS integrates quoting, scheduling, supply chain, manufacturing, quality control and delivery into a single intelligent agentic operating layer, automating and continuously optimizing factory performance.

The company identifies exceptional operators – from manufacturing, the military, franchising and the wider economy – and equips them with its technology, brand, engineering standards and access to customer demand. Franchisees can launch new Isembard factories from the ground up or convert existing businesses into an Isembard factory. This approach enables rapid expansion of high-quality manufacturing capacity while preserving local ownership and strengthening sovereign industrial capability across the United Kingdom, United States and Europe.

Alexander Fitzgerald, Founder and CEO of Isembard, said

“Manufacturing is the origin of our security, prosperity and sense of purpose as nations. This Series A enables us to open more factories, invest in MasonOS, support exceptional franchisees and recruit the best engineers across Europe and the United States. Our mission is to forge industrial acceleration.”

Rebecca Kaden, Managing Partner at Union Square Ventures, said:
“Isembard is redefining the process of owning and running a factory. By embedding deep operational expertise into an agentic OS, MasonOS lowers the barrier to operating high-performance manufacturing businesses and enables a networked, capital-efficient path to scale. At a moment when demand for advanced manufacturing is accelerating and interest in SMB ownership is rising, Isembard brings both forces together. We’re excited to partner with Alexander and his team as they expand access to factory ownership and rebuild industrial capacity across the West.”

Armed Forces Bank Earns Top Honors for Advancing Veteran Financial Well-Being

Sunday, March 8th, 2026

Bank Receives Sole Veteran Saves Week “Community Impact Award” and Prestigious “Designation of Savings Excellence” from Consumer Federation of America

Award-Winning Banking Leadership Delivers Meaningful Financial Progress for Service Members and Veterans

LEAVENWORTH, Kan., March 4, 2026 — Armed Forces Bank – a full-service military bank committed to serving those who serve since 1907 – was selected as a Veteran Saves Week “Community Impact Award” recipient and a “Designation of Savings Excellence” Award winner by the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America (CFA). The awards recognize Armed Forces Bank’s exceptional leadership in improving the financial well-being of veterans, service members, and military families through measurable outcomes, sustained engagement and community-focused financial education.

Veteran Saves Week is a program under the America Saves umbrella, coordinated by the CFA. The campaign encourages veterans to take the Veteran Saves Pledge while empowering organizations to promote savings year-round.

Out of more than 900 participating organizations nationwide, Armed Forces Bank received the sole 2025 Veteran Saves Week “Community Impact Award” and was named one of only two banks to earn the “Designation of Savings Excellence” Award.

Community Impact Award
The Veteran Saves Week “Community Impact Award” recognizes the organization that most effectively leveraged the Veteran Saves Pledge to encourage savings behavior and goal setting within its community during the annual campaign.

According to CFA, Armed Forces Bank’s approach helped translate participation into action by providing veterans with clear, accessible savings pathways – an important factor given that individuals with a defined savings plan are twice as likely to successfully reach their goals.

“We’re honored to recognize Armed Forces Bank with the Community Impact Award for the second year in a row,” said Krystel Spell, program manager at Veteran Saves. “During Veteran Saves Week, Armed Forces Bank demonstrated a thoughtful approach to supporting the Veteran Saves Pledge by ensuring the message reached veterans in ways that felt clear and actionable. That level of care and consistency helped translate participation into real progress toward savings goals.”

Designation of Savings Excellence Award
The CFA also awards the Veteran Saves Week “Designation of Savings Excellence Award” to financial institutions that demonstrate outstanding performance and measurable impact during the Veteran Saves Week. Armed Forces Bank was one of only seven financial institutions nationally – and just two banks – to receive this distinction for the campaign, which took place in November 2025, as part of National Military Family Month and Warrior Care Month.

Measurable Impact During Veteran Saves Week 2025
During Veteran Saves Week 2025, Armed Forces Bank executed a comprehensive, multi-channel outreach campaign that delivered meaningful and measurable results, including:

  • 50,642 individuals reached through email, social media, branch communications, website promotion, flyers and community events
  • 100% retail branch participation nationwide, reinforcing a unified, organization-wide commitment
  • $1.9 million+ in savings account growth, driven by deposits from 6,776 individuals
  • 85 new savings-type products opened, contributing more than $1.75 million in new deposits
  • 55 Veteran Saves Pledges completed
  • 44,792 emails sent and nearly 4,000 social media engagement views

Collectively, the work of all Veteran Saves Week award winners and participating organizations contributed to significant financial progress for service members and veterans. During the four-day period leading up to Veterans Day (November 4 to 7, 2025), these institutions reached more than 1.5 million individuals nationwide, encouraged nearly $1.9 million in deposits into new and existing accounts, and inspired veterans to pledge $370,000 toward future savings goals.

Leadership Perspective
“These recognitions reflect our long-standing commitment to helping military families build financial confidence and resilience,” said Tom McLean, senior vice president and regional military executive for Armed Forces Bank. “We understand the unique financial realities that come with military life, and we work every day to meet service members and veterans where they are – providing practical tools, trusted guidance and consistent support no matter where duty takes them.”

“It is truly a privilege to serve the military community,” said Paul Holewinski,  CEO of Armed Forces Bank. “Every product, service and education effort we offer is designed with their unique needs in mind. We appreciate the recognition from the Consumer Federation of America, but the greatest reward is seeing our clients strengthen their financial footing and achieve the goals that matter most to them.”

Chemring plc Appoints Baroness Kate Rock as an Independent Non-Executive Director

Saturday, March 7th, 2026

Chemring today announces the appointment of Baroness Kate Rock as an independent non-executive director. Upon joining the Board, Kate will become the Senior Independent Director and a member of the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration Committees. She will join the Board with effect from 1 April 2026.

Kate is an experienced non?executive director with a board portfolio covering technology, engineering, construction and infrastructure. Underpinned by a strong background in corporate communications and strategy, she combines deep engineering sector knowledge with a strategic understanding of how innovation and technology enhance productivity, together with wide-ranging experience working across government.

On 1 December 2022 Kate was appointed Non-Executive Chair of the UK infrastructure solutions company Costain Group PLC. Since that time Costain has seen a near five-fold increase in its share price and has re-entered the FTSE 250 index. In September 2018 she joined the Board of FTSE 250 Keller Group plc (the world’s largest geotechnical specialist contractor) and is now the Senior Independent Director, serving on the Audit & Risk, Nomination & Governance, Remuneration and Sustainability Committees.

Having been appointed a Life Peer in 2015, she sat on the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee until January 2023. She was also a member of the House of Lords Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence from 2017 to 2018 and was Chair of the House of Lords Select Committee on Autism between January and November 2025.

Until January 2023, Kate was a Board member of the world’s first Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation and was, until November 2017, a non-executive director of Imagination Technologies plc, the former global FTSE 250 high technology company.

Tony Wood, Chairman of Chemring, commented:

“Following an extensive selection process, I am delighted to welcome Baroness Rock to Chemring. Kate brings considerable experience within the fields of technology, infrastructure and innovation, as well as government and strategic communications. Her strong understanding of the construction and infrastructure sector will also be of value to the Group as we further progress our organic growth strategy and investment in increased capacity. I am certain that she will make a strong contribution to the continued development and performance of the Group.”

There are no further disclosures required to be made in accordance with UKLR 6.4.8 of the FCA’s UK Listing Rules sourcebook.

Tiberius Aerospace Welcomes Professor Dame Fiona Murray to Advisory Board

Saturday, March 7th, 2026

Tiberius Aerospace, a modern defence technology company built to empower the UK, US and their global allies with next-generation weapon systems and AI-powered solutions, today announced the appointment of Professor Dame Fiona Murray DCMG CBE to its Advisory Board.

Professor Dame Fiona Murray DCMG CBE is Chair of the NATO Innovation Fund and has previously served on the British Prime Minister’s Council on Science and Technology. She was awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) for her services to innovation and entrepreneurship in the United Kingdom and appointed Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (DCMG). She served on the Ministry of Defence Strategic Advisory Review and is a member of the MOD Defence Industrial Joint Council. Murray is also the William Porter (1967) Professor of Entrepreneurship.

A globally recognised expert on science, technology and innovation policy, Murray advises governments, industry and research institutions on building innovation ecosystems that drive economic competitiveness, national security and societal resilience. Her appointment comes as Tiberius Aerospace accelerates delivery of its Sceptre 155 mm extended-range ramjet precision-guided ballistic munition designed to reach ranges beyond 140–160 km with high accuracy for NATO-standard artillery and GRAIL, its AI-powered software platform that brings software-era transparency, competition and data-driven decision-making to weapons procurement and manufacturing across sovereign defence supply chains.

Commenting on the announcement, Andy Baynes, Co-Founder of Tiberius Aerospace, said: “To deliver capability at the speed and scale required by today’s security environment, we must pair advanced engineering with new approaches to acquisition and industrial expansion. Through Sceptre, we are pursuing extended-range, precision-guided artillery effects that transform deep fires capability. With GRAIL, we are applying AI-enabled analytical tools to bring greater transparency, innovation and competition to weapons procurement and sovereign manufacturing. We must mobilise and weaponise NATO’s supply chain so that thousands of suppliers are competing on price and performance in a secure, managed framework. Dame Fiona’s experience in shaping innovation ecosystems and aligning research, policy and industry will be invaluable as we continue to scale these offerings for allied partners.”

Professor Dame Fiona Murray added “The modern defence landscape demands not just technical innovation but a systems approach that links private sector ingenuity to production and impact at scale.

Tiberius Aerospace’s blend of advanced capabilities and AI-driven industrial modelling represents a compelling step towards closing that gap. I am honoured to join the Advisory Board and support the company as it works with governments and industry to strengthen innovation, resilience and performance across allied defence ecosystems.”