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Zulu Origin – LODEout

Thursday, September 25th, 2025

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

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

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

The LODEOut system uses two components:

Receivers (above) and Modules (below)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Monday, September 22nd, 2025

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

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

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

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

About D&M Holding Company

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

For more information visit D&M Holding Company.

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

Second Blue Magic Netherlands Event Set for November 18

Friday, September 19th, 2025

Registration Site Is Open and Dutch Innovators Are Encouraged to Attend and Apply to Present Capabilities

SAN DIEGO – 16 September 2025 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), in collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Defence and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, will host its second Blue Magic Netherlands (BMNL) event on November 18, 2025. BMNL 2025 follows the successful first event in 2024 and will take place at the MELT at Avular building, a world-class venue for technology interchange near Brainport Eindhoven, the center of the Dutch high-technology manufacturing industry. The registration site can be accessed at www.ga-asi.com/blue-magic-netherlands-2025.

“The first BMNL event was a huge success for Dutch industry,” said Brad Lunn, managing director for GA-ASI. “We’ve built strong investment opportunities with Dutch companies — including Arceon, Emergent Swarm Solutions, and Saluqi Motors — and now we’re looking to build on that success at BMNL 2025.”

Blue Magic Netherlands fosters technology ideation and implementation within the Dutch industrial ecosystem. GA-ASI is inviting Netherlands-based technology and aerospace companies, big and small, to apply for a chance to pitch transformative next-gen solutions that could shape the course of commercial and defence technologies. This event brings together leaders in advanced technology, aerospace, business, and government in a single Dutch forum to explore emerging technologies that address the world’s most pressing defence and security challenges. GA-ASI supplies its MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft to the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

Along with partners Brainport Development Eindhoven, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Brabant Development Agency and the Netherlands Industries for Defence & Security (NIDV), GA-ASI will accept proposals to present a broad range of technologies. Participating in this transformational event provides an ideal opportunity to connect with funding sources and collaborate with industry leaders. Companies and individuals wishing to only join the audience and network are welcome to register as well.

Companies interested in presenting their capabilities can submit a pitch proposal. GA-ASI and other participants will hear technology pitches followed by a lively panel discussion. Networking opportunities will also be available where participants can meet with other high-tech businesses and industry leaders to see if their capabilities can be leveraged in new and useful ways. Focus areas for this year are Intelligent Systems – Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning and Autonomy, Smart Materials – Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Sensors, Space, and Counter-UAS.

Companies interested in presenting their capabilities must submit pitch proposals in PDF format by no later than October 10, 2025. Companies selected to present pitches will be notified on November 3, 2025.

To submit a pitch proposal or register to attend in person or virtually, please visit the event website at www.ga-asi.com/blue-magic-netherlands-2025.

BMNL organizers will also host several virtual workshops covering a variety of topics relevant to defence technology start-ups. These workshops will be listed on the event website and are available for the entire Dutch innovation ecosystem.

Posted in International, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Second Blue Magic Netherlands Event Set for November 18

Steadicopter and ParaZero Introduce Precision Airdrop Capability for Tactical Unmanned Helicopters

Thursday, September 18th, 2025

New DropAir integration with Black Eagle 50E enables rapid, autonomous supply delivery in complex environments

September 17, 2025 – Steadicopter, a leader in the Rotary Unmanned Aerial Systems (RUAS) industry, is proud to announce a new operational capability developed in collaboration with ParaZero: the integration of the DropAir precision airdrop system into Steadicopter’s Black Eagle 50E all-electric unmanned helicopter.

The DropAir module transforms the Black Eagle 50E into a highly accurate and autonomous airborne delivery platform. Equipped with dual-mode parachute deployment and advanced drop algorithms, the system enables precise mid-air release of mission-critical payloads—including medical supplies, ammunition, or spare parts—with minimal drift, even in harsh conditions or GPS-denied environments.

Combined with the Black Eagle 50E’s VTOL capabilities, long endurance, and minimal logistic footprint, this integration supports rapid, flexible resupply across remote or contested areas. It is ideal for both tactical and humanitarian missions.

“This collaboration with ParaZero brings a new level of agility and precision to aerial logistics,” said Noam Lidor, CEO at Steadicopter. “Together, we are enabling forces to operate smarter and faster-delivering supplies exactly where and when they’re needed, with no compromise on accuracy or safety.”

“Our shared vision to enhance unmanned aerial capabilities is reflected in this integration,” added Ariel Alon, CEO of ParaZero. “With DropAir onboard, the Black Eagle 50E becomes a powerful tool for precision aerial delivery in the most demanding environments.”

About Black Eagle 50E

The Black Eagle 50E is a mature, operational, high-performance, all-electric propulsion , providing superior-high-quality real-time intelligence, with high mission versatility and nearly zero logistic footprint . It supports multi-mission operations with advanced sensors and payload integration.

About Steadicopter

Steadicopter Ltd. is a leading developer of rotary tactical unmanned aerial systems for military, homeland security, and civilian missions. Its vertical take-off and landing UAVs are known for endurance, adaptability, and advanced mission sensor suites. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified for development, manufacturing, and marketing.

For more information, visit: steadicopter.com

About ParaZero

ParaZero Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq: PRZO) is an aerospace defense company pioneering smart, autonomous solutions for the global manned and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry. Founded in 2014 by aviation professionals and drone industry veterans, ParaZero is a recognized leader in advanced drone technologies, supporting commercial, industrial, and governmental operations worldwide. The company’s product portfolio includes SafeAir, an autonomous parachute recovery system designed for aerial safety and regulatory compliance; DefendAir, a counter-UAS net-launching platform for protection against hostile drones in both battlefield and urban environments; and DropAir, a precision aerial delivery system. ParaZero’s mission is to redefine the boundaries of aerial operations with intelligent, mission-ready systems that enhance safety, scalability, and security. For more information, visit parazero.com.

Posted in Drone, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Steadicopter and ParaZero Introduce Precision Airdrop Capability for Tactical Unmanned Helicopters

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

Thursday, September 18th, 2025

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

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

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

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

Posted in DSEi, International, weapons | 1 Comment »

Thales Unveils DCM5, a Sovereign Cryptography Solution to Combat the Quantum Threat for Global Defence and Government

Tuesday, September 16th, 2025

Building on the trusted Datacryptor heritage, DCM5 is future-proofed for quantum readiness and offers seamless integration with existing systems. With full backward compatibility with Datacryptor 2000, it is designed for secure communications across multiple nations, including Five Eyes partners and multinational coalitions.

Key features include:

Sovereign Control: Customer-defined cryptography at hardware and software levels.
Global Interoperability: Secure use across multiple nations with mutually agreed algorithms.
Quantum-Ready: Smooth transition to post-quantum algorithms without hardware replacement.
Certified Protection: Designed to UK CAPS High Grade and FIPS 140-3 Level 3 standards.

“DCM5 is not just a product upgrade—it’s a pivotal capability for nations that must safeguard their most sensitive data against the current cyber threat landscape and tomorrow’s quantum powered adversaries,”said Chris Edwards, Managing Director of Secure Communication and Protection activities in the UK. “By empowering customers to define and control their cryptography at the hardware level, we’re delivering unmatched resilience, sovereignty, and long-term operational assurance.”

Thales has already secured an initial customer for the DCM5, marking the start of its integration into wider encryption systems globally.

Thales in Cybersecurity: Protecting What Matters Most

Thales is a global leader in data protection and cybersecurity, offering comprehensive solutions across the value chain: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Restore.

Thales provides three key offerings:

Sovereign Products: Advanced encryptors and sensors to protect critical governmental and institutional systems, ensuring full control over sensitive data.
Security Solutions: A platform for data protection, identity and access management, and application security, helping organizations secure sensitive data across all environments.
Cybersecurity Services: A full range of services including threat assessment, training, attack detection and response, and integration projects to enhance security resilience.
With over 5,800 cyber experts in 68 countries, Thales protects the world’s most sensitive data.

Thales has a proven track record, with 19 of the world’s 20 largest banks relying on its data protection, the top 5 cloud providers trusting Thales to secure their data, and 50 countries, including NATO members, using Thales encryption products to safeguard critical infrastructure.

Posted in Comms, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Thales Unveils DCM5, a Sovereign Cryptography Solution to Combat the Quantum Threat for Global Defence and Government

Galls Acquires Uniform Works, Expands Into Canada

Sunday, September 14th, 2025

LEXINGTON, KY—September 9, 2025 —GALLS®, the leading uniform and tactical gear supplier serving America’s public safety and military professionals, has announced a strategic acquisition that marks GALLS’®expansion into Canada. GALLS® is now Proud To Serve Those Who Serve in both the US and Canada.

“With Uniform Works’ trusted reputation in Canada, the move brings together two mission-driven organizations dedicated to serving law enforcement, fire, EMS, and security professionals with the uniforms and gear they need when they need it. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for GALLS®, and we take our brand and our commitment to public safety across the border,” said Mike Fadden, GALLS® CEO. “Will Melnyk and his team have built an impressive company with values that align with ours, along with that passion for serving heroes that keep us all safe. Will and team will stay on to lead GALLS® Canada, so our Canadian customers will get the best of both worlds, the trusted service of Will and his team with the Galls eQuip solution and the power of the industry leader.”

Will Melnyk said, “Uniform Works has always been guided by integrity, service, and relationships, and those values have shaped our reputation as a trusted partner to first responders across Canada for more than two decades. Becoming GALLS®’ first acquisition in Canada is an important milestone; one that underscores both the strength of what we have built and the opportunity ahead. We are especially excited to bring GALLS®’ unparalleled eQuip platform to the Canadian market, as it will provide our customers with new levels of efficiency, convenience, and service. This partnership ensures that Uniform Works will continue to grow while delivering greater value and expanded solutions to the Canadian public safety community.”

With over 50 years of experience serving over one million public safety professionals annually, GALLS® continues to grow as the trusted source for public safety and military uniforms, gear, and equipment. Integrating Uniform Works with GALLS® will provide Canadian customers access to GALLS®’ extensive curated inventory, exclusive customizable agency solutions, and relentless customer focus.

Posted in Industry, International, LE, Press Release | Comments Off on Galls Acquires Uniform Works, Expands Into Canada

Savox Communications and Nokia Announce Agreement to Explore Joint Development of Tactical Communications Solutions

Sunday, September 14th, 2025

Espoo, Finland – September 12, 2025 – Savox Communications Oy Ab (Ltd) (Savox) and Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy (Nokia) today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the development of joint solutions in the defense communications space.

By combining their technical expertise, Savox and Nokia aim to create innovative solutions for tactical communications that provide unmatched connectivity, speed, and reliability for mission-critical operations. Under the agreement, this collaboration will explore:

Enhanced Connectivity: Leveraging 5G and 6G networks to provide seamless and ultra-fast communication channels for tactical operations, ensuring real-time data exchange and improved situational awareness.

Advanced Solutions: Developing innovative solutions that combine the strengths of both companies, such as secure communication devices, advanced encryption technologies, and robust network infrastructure.

Global Reach: Expanding the reach of tactical communication solutions to global markets, enabling defense and security forces worldwide to benefit from state-of-the-art technology and enhanced operational capabilities.

“By integrating Savox mission-critical audio, command and control solutions with Nokia´s advanced networks, we will deliver reliable, scalable communications tailored for the most demanding operations,” said Jerry Kettunen, CEO at Savox.

“Nokia is committed to innovation and excellence in communications technology,” said Giuseppe Targia, Head of Space and Defense, Nokia. “We look forward to working with Savox to create new and innovative solutions that will benefit our customers and the industry as a whole.”

Posted in Comms, Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Savox Communications and Nokia Announce Agreement to Explore Joint Development of Tactical Communications Solutions