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Smartshooter Awarded a $13M U.S. Army Contract for SMASH 2000L Fire Control Systems

Thursday, June 5th, 2025

YAGUR, Israel — SMARTSHOOTER, a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems, is proud to announce that its U.S. subsidiary, SMARTSHOOTER Inc., has received a new order valued at $13M from the U.S. Army for SMASH 2000L fire control systems. The systems will be deployed as part of the Army’s Transformation In Contact (TIC2.0) forces, a specially designated formation for accelerated testing and integration of advanced technologies on the battlefield.

SMASH fire control systems have already been acquired and operationally deployed by various branches of the U.S. armed forces, providing valuable field experience and demonstrating their effectiveness against evolving threats. Now, with the recent U.S. Army order, the technology will be integrated into the combat formation. This marks a major milestone in advancing U.S. dismounted counter-UAS capabilities.

Also known as SMASH 3000, SMASH 2000L (light) is SMARTSHOOTER’s lightest handheld-operated fire control system, which attaches to the Soldier’s rifle. Using computer vision, artificial intelligence, and advanced tracking algorithms, it enables Soldiers to detect, track, and precisely eliminate aerial and ground targets with unmatched accuracy. The system is especially effective against drones and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), offering a high probability of kill for emerging threats.

Michal Mor, CEO of SMARTSHOOTER, said: “We are honored by the U.S. Army’s continued confidence in our SMASH technology. With SMASH 2000L, dismounted Soldiers are empowered with advanced fire control capabilities, ensuring precision in every shot—even in the most complex and high-pressure scenarios. The current contract is a significant step toward Army-wide fielding, and we are committed to supporting this important initiative.”

Combat-proven by the Israeli Defense Forces during Operation Iron Swords, SMASH systems have also been fielded by other NATO forces and are gaining traction across multiple branches of the U.S. military.

For further details, please visit: www.smart-shooter.com

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Kongsberg Hosts 15th PROTECTOR Users Working Group in the U.S.

Wednesday, June 4th, 2025

DETROIT – June 3, 2025 – Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace hosted its 15th PROTECTOR Users Working Group (PUWG), bringing together global defense partners, military operators and industry stakeholders for three days of strategic collaboration, knowledge exchange and innovations focused on the world-leading family of PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Stations and Remote Turrets.

The PROTECTOR remote weapon systems family has revolutionized the way the U.S. and its allies fight, giving protection to gunners by allowing them to remotely operate weapon systems from within an armored cab rather than perched outside and exposed, above the roof of the vehicle. In total, more than 29,000 systems have been fielded to 31 nations worldwide.

Behind the walls of the Italian American Cultural Society, military personnel from 15 countries will discuss current and emerging threats on the battlefield – like drones – and how best to defeat them. What is being learned on the battlefields in Ukraine is changing the concept of operations for all militaries and those in attendance are poised to set the stage for superiority and overmatch, equipping allied forces with best-in-class detection and defeat with greater standoff and enhanced soldier safety.

“The battlefield is changing constantly and now more than ever, it is vital that information be shared in real-time forums, like the PROTECTOR Users Working Group, that we have created for our customers and industry partners, and we are proud to have hosted this event for a 15th time” said Jørgen Bull, vice president, Land Systems, Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace. “This event continues to serve as a vital forum for operational users and KONGSBERG’s engineering teams to engage directly, driving user-centric innovation and continuous and more rapid capability development. The feedback and collaboration from our customers are invaluable as we advance PROTECTOR remote weapon stations and remote turrets and ensure they remain the most capable and trusted solutions on the battlefield.”

Held in Detroit, Mich. June 2-4, this year’s PUWG marked a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between KONGSBERG and the growing community of PROTECTOR users. This unique forum brings together defense acquisition, user and maintenance organizations of PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Systems, to meet and share their practical system knowledge and experience, as well as receive new information regarding the PROTECTOR family of systems.

Among the highlights of the event were demonstrations of the latest iterations of the PROTECTOR family, including advancements in lethality, multi-sensor integration, counter-UAS capability, and the growing role of remote weapon capabilities in combat and robotic vehicle operations. The event also featured hands-on workshops, technology showcases, and in-depth discussions focused on future capabilities, user feedback, and operational integration. The technology showcase included the following systems:

– US Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle with Kongsberg 30mm turret (ACV-30)

– AM General Future Driven HUMVEE with Kongsberg’s CROWS Remote Weapon Station-Tech Refresh and Spike Missile

– Robotic Combat Vehicle with Kongsberg RS6

– Tactical Vehicle with Kongsberg CROWS-Tech Refresh and combat management system

For more information about the PROTECTOR RWS and KONGSBERG’s defense solutions, please visit bit.ly/KongsbergRWS.

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SureFire Response to B&T Lawsuit

Wednesday, June 4th, 2025

Fountain Valley, CA—SureFire, LLC, acknowledges that B&T USA and B&T AG have issued a public statement regarding a lawsuit recently filed against our company. While we disagree with the claims made in both the lawsuit and the accompanying press release, we believe the appropriate forum for resolving such matters is the court system – not the media. SureFire stands by its long history of innovation, integrity, and commitment to our customers. We will refrain from further public comment at this time.

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Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd Established

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025

Rheinmetall has established a new subsidiary, Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Upon receiving approval from the relevant authorities, Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH now holds a 51% stake in the newly founded joint venture Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd. The joint venture takes over almost all of the assets of Resonant Holding and its subsidiaries. The remaining 49% is held by the existing shareholders of Resonant Holding. The new company expects sales potential of more than €100 million per year. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

With the establishment of the new subsidiary, Rheinmetall is further expanding its range of services to create additional production capacity. This is Rheinmetall’s response to the growing global demand for ammunition. The in-depth vertical integration positions the Group even stronger in terms of independent planning, construction and operation of production facilities for chemical precursors such as propellants and explosives.

Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd employs around 150 people and offers proven experience and outstanding expertise in the design and construction of specialised plants. This includes production facilities for chemical and explosive products. Resonant thus complements Rheinmetall’s plant engineering business, particularly in the areas of chemical, energy and explosives technology, industrialisation and manufacturing.

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Rugged Suppressors Contributes $40,000 to Support ASA

Sunday, June 1st, 2025

Travelers Rest, SC – The American Suppressor Association (ASA) is proud to announce that Rugged Suppressors has renewed its support for 2025 with a $40,000 contribution, reinforcing its deep commitment to protecting and advancing suppressor rights across the country.

“At Rugged Suppressors, we believe that suppressors have no place under the National Firearms Act,” said Michael Derdziak, CEO of Rugged Suppressors. “The ASA is the only organization with the focus, strategy, and drive to get them removed. We’re proud to support their mission and stand alongside them in the fight to protect the rights of responsible gun owners nationwide.”

Rugged Suppressors has built its name on uncompromising quality and innovation, producing some of the most durable and reliable suppressors in the industry. Their continued support reflects a shared vision with the ASA: a future where suppressors are treated like the hearing protection tools they are, not burdened by outdated federal restrictions.

“Rugged Suppressors has once again stepped up in a big way,” said Knox Williams, Executive Director of the ASA. “Their $40,000 contribution directly supports our work on Capitol Hill to remove suppressors from the NFA. Michael and his team understand what’s at stake, and they continue to lead by example. With their partnership, we’re able to push harder, go further, and stay focused on real policy change.”

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B&T USA Files Federal Lawsuit Against SureFire, LLC Alleging Patent Abuse and Interference

Saturday, May 31st, 2025

Tampa, FL (June 2nd, 2025) – B&T USA, LLC and its parent company B&T AG of Thun, Switzerland, have initiated legal proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida against SureFire, LLC. The complaint seeks a declaratory judgment of non-infringement and patent invalidity and brings claims for breach of contract and tortious interference.

This action follows a series of unwarranted legal threats made by SureFire, which has sought to disrupt B&T’s lawful commercial activities by alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,676,976 — despite knowing that the underlying technology, B&T’s proprietary Rotex quick-detach suppressor system, was developed, publicly displayed, and sold to U.S. government end users years prior to SureFire’s patent application.

Despite clear evidence of B&T’s prior invention — including exports to the United States and documented use by the U.S. Navy — SureFire failed to disclose this information to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This material omission calls into question the enforceability of the asserted patent and the good faith underlying SureFire’s conduct.

Moreover, B&T and SureFire had previously reached a mutual understanding: that B&T would not challenge SureFire’s patent so long as SureFire refrained from asserting it against B&T or its customers. SureFire’s recent actions constitute a clear breach of that agreement, forcing B&T to take legal action to protect its rights, its reputation, and its longstanding customer relationships. B&T has pursued every reasonable path to resolve this dispute privately and professionally. Unfortunately, SureFire’scontinued and deliberate actions have left no other choice.

“B&T has a long and well-documented history of innovation that predates SureFire’s patent by several years,” said Jon Scott Chief Executive Officer of B&T USA. “Despite having full knowledge of B&T’s prior invention, SureFire withheld critical evidence from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office while using that same patent as a cudgel against not only us, but our partners. Our lawsuit seeks to hold SureFire accountable for this misconduct, to clear the record regarding B&T’s rights, and to ensure B&Tcan continue serving the defense and commercial markets without interference.”

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Anduril and Meta Team Up to Transform XR for the American Military

Friday, May 30th, 2025

Anduril and Meta are partnering to design, build, and field a range of integrated XR products that provide warfighters with enhanced perception and enable intuitive control of autonomous platforms on the battlefield. The capabilities enabled by the partnership will draw on more than a decade of investment by both companies in advanced hardware, software, and artificial intelligence. The effort has been funded through private capital, without taxpayer support, and is designed to save the U.S. military billions of dollars by utilizing high-performance components and technology originally built for commercial use.

This partnership comes at a pivotal moment in the evolution of national defense. America’s national security has benefited from U.S. technological leadership at every phase of the computing revolution, from the first microchips and PCs to today’s internet and mobile devices. As a new era of computing takes shape—built atop AI and body-worn devices—Meta and Anduril are committed to maintaining America’s technological edge while reinforcing our economic and national security.

“Meta has spent the last decade building AI and AR to enable the computing platform of the future,” said Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Meta. “We’re proud to partner with Anduril to help bring these technologies to the American service members that protect our interests at home and abroad.”

“I am glad to be working with Meta once again.” said Palmer Luckey, Founder of Anduril. “Of all the areas where dual-use technology can make a difference for America, this is the one I am most excited about. My mission has long been to turn warfighters into technomancers, and the products we are building with Meta do just that.”

“The world is entering a new era of computing that will give people access to limitless intelligence and extend their senses and perception in ways that have never been possible before,” said Andrew “Boz” Bosworth, CTO of Meta. “Our national security benefits enormously from American industry bringing these technologies to life.”

Expanding the Ecosystem

These joint mixed reality capabilities will integrate seamlessly with Anduril’s Lattice platform, the company’s AI-powered command and control system that integrates valuable data from thousands of sources to provide real-time battlefield intelligence. By incorporating role-specific AR/VR interfaces into the products, soldiers will gain intuitive access to Lattice’s analytical capabilities, a meaningful source of data for decision advantage. This integration will transform how warfighters see, sense, and integrate battlefield information, providing immersive technology solutions that enhance tactical decision-making in combat scenarios.

For Meta, the partnership represents a significant expansion into support for U.S. government technology adoption of its cutting edge technology. The collaboration builds on Meta’s existing Reality Labs investments and its work supporting adoption of its Llama open source AI models for national security uses by the U.S. and its closest allies.

Anduril and Meta have already jointly submitted a white paper as a team for SBMC Next, formerly IVAS Next. Since the Army’s novation of the original IVAS (Integrated Visual Augmentation System) contract from Microsoft to Anduril, Anduril has made significant progress to transition IVAS to Soldier-Borne Mission Command from concept to demonstrated, soldier-tested capability, streamlining operations, accelerating delivery timelines and reducing costs. Software updates that used to take 180 days now reach the field in under 18 hours, and Lattice-integrated IVAS headsets are in testing now.

Posted in AI / ML, Industry, Press Release | 8 Comments »

Gastops Receives Investment from RTX for Next Generation Monitoring Technologies

Thursday, May 29th, 2025

Investment made possible by Canadian Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy (ITB)

OTTAWA, ON, May 28, 2025 – Gastops Ltd. is announcing a joint agreement under Canada’s Industrial and Technology Benefits (ITB) policy for a multi-million-dollar investment from RTX. The funding will support a research and development program to advance the next generation of oil debris monitoring (ODM) system technology and future technologies for oil and fuel monitoring for Pratt & Whitney military engines. Pratt & Whitney is an RTX business.

“We are extremely pleased to work with RTX on the development of next generation monitoring technologies,” said Shaun Horning, President and CEO of Gastops. “The ITB investment from RTX’s Raytheon and engineering collaboration with Pratt & Whitney are critical components to the success of this cutting-edge technology. This investment will facilitate Gastops to continue its goal of Canadian innovation and to expand our technology capabilities.”

Gastops has been enabling Pratt & Whitney’s advanced diagnostics and engine monitoring solutions with MetalSCAN ODM sensors since their introduction to the F119 engine, which powers the F-22 Raptor, in the early 1990’s. Since then, MetalSCAN technology has been included in other major Pratt & Whitney engine developments, and discussions are ongoing about expanding the collaboration to integrate Gastops’ next generation technologies into additional military engine programs.

“It’s now more important than ever to build Canada’s defence industry,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. “This multi-million-dollar investment by RTX to Canada’s Gastops Ltd. will advance innovation within Canada’s defence sector while supporting economic growth and creating high value jobs for Canadians.”

www.Gastops.com

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