GORE-TEX Professional

Archive for the ‘International’ Category

Bringing Advanced Thermoregulation and Hydration Solutions to the UK – Qore Performance Partners with Tactical Kit

Thursday, March 5th, 2026

Knoxville, TN and Peterborough, UK — Qore Performance, Inc., the inventors of the IceAge Ecosystem of thermoregulation and hydration technologies, is proud to announce Tactical Kit as its premier distributor for the United Kingdom. This partnership provides British military, law enforcement, and professional end-users with direct, local access to the most advanced human performance-enhancing equipment on the market.

Operating since 2008, Tactical Kit has established itself as the UK’s leading retailer of high-end tactical gear, stocking the world’s most elite brands. By adding Qore Performance to its inventory, Tactical Kit continues its mission of providing the “pinnacle of kit” with the speed and customer service for which it is known.

Direct Access to the IceAge Ecosystem

Through this partnership, UK customers can now purchase Qore Performance’s mission-critical equipment—including “live” stock ready for immediate dispatch from Tactical Kit’s UK premises.

Key products now available include:

ICEPLATE® Gen 3: The world’s most advanced conformal hydration system. This hard-cell bladder provides 52.4 fl oz (1.55 L) of hydration while offering cooling/heating capabilities when frozen or filled with hot water.

IMS Pro Gen 3: A versatile internal/external MOLLE hydration sleeve designed specifically for ICEPLATE® Gen 3, allowing for seamless integration with plate carriers.

ICEFLASK®: A rugged, 16.9 oz (500ml) hard-cell canteen designed to fit into standard radio pouches or its purpose-built ICEFLASK® Wing and MOLLE Holsters, providing consumable cooling or heating in a compact form factor.

ICEVENTS®: Next-gen ventilated padding for plate carriers, chest rigs, and belts. Using proprietary Omni-Directional Venting, ICEVENTS® provide stand-off ventilation and load distribution without absorbing moisture or bacteria.

CATAMARAN Gen 3: An innovative Velcro® adapter panel attachment system that enables the mounting of ICEPLATE® Gen 3 within IMS Pro Gen 3, or two ICEVENTS® Classic plate carrier pads, for maximum airflow to the inside of any armor carrier lacking internal Velcro® loop fields.“Tactical Kit is a world-class partner that understands the needs of the uniformed professional,” said Austin Pitsch, Marketing Manager of Qore Performance.

“By stocking our equipment locally in the UK, they are removing the barriers of international shipping and duties, ensuring that professional end-users and British citizens alike have the best possible tools to weaponize temperature and increase work capacity.”

UK customers can shop the Qore Performance IceAge Ecosystem collection now at www.tacticalkit.uk.

Galvion Receives Batlskin Caiman Order for Another 29,000 Helmets, from the Canadian DND, Through NSPA

Thursday, March 5th, 2026

Galvion, a world leader in innovative head protection systems and power and data management solutions, has received a new order from the Department of National Defence (DND) Canada for its flagship Batlskin Caiman® ballistic helmet systems. This latest order for an additional 29,000 helmets with two (2) helmet covers each, has been placed through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework contract.

Galvion was awarded the Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) programme contract in February 2023 for 2,100 helmets and 4,200 helmet covers. In July 2024, the DND exercised an option to order an additional 8,400 helmets and 16,800 helmet covers taking the total Canadian DICE order to 10,500 helmets and 21,000 covers, all successfully delivered. In July 2025 Galvion announced a third follow-on order, with delivery planned for early 2026. In total, the DICE contract orders total 15,000 helmets and over 30,000 covers. This latest order, for a further 29,000 this time through NPSA and outside of the original DICE programme contract, takes the total Caiman helmet systems ordered by the Canadian DND to over 44,000 helmets and over 100,000 covers.

Developed over a number of years with extensive SOF community collaboration and feedback and now fielded in the hundreds of thousands across multiple NATO countries, Galvion’s Caiman® helmet system delivers unmatched levels of weight and comfort, and is expressly designed to incorporate electronics, communications headsets, and other critical equipment needs, now and into the future. For this most recent NSPA order, Galvion will be supplying the DND with its NATO Caiman® helmet system, which features updated and robust rails, a breakaway harness and the latest improved version of its best-in-class APEX liner system. Ms Danielli, General and Cooperative Services Programme Manager, emphasized: “NSPA is proud to support the Canadian Armed Forces in delivering critical protective equipment to their troops. This procurement demonstrates the strength of our COMMIT partnership in providing nations with reliable and cost-effective solutions. Through the web-based platform of the NATO Logistics Stock Exchange (NLSE), NSPA accelerates procurement by consolidating national requirements and leveraging long-term framework contracts, enabling nations to translate urgent operational needs into timely, mission-relevant capabilities.”

Jonathan Blanshay, Executive Chairman at Galvion said: “We are exceedingly proud to receive yet another significant order from the Canadian DND taking the total to over 44,000 helmets in a four-year period, this time through the NSPA framework contract. Repeat orders like this demonstrate partner confidence and end-user satisfaction, both of which are core drivers for everything that we do at Galvion.” He added: “We continue to see significant increases in demand across all of our head system platforms, with the Caiman helmet seeing far and wide adoption beyond the SOF community, as evidenced by the continued receipt of orders from NATO countries through our NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework contract. For the Canadian DND to have adopted the NSPA model makes it very clear that the NSPA procurement route delivers advantages to NATO members on both sides of the Atlantic. Caiman, through NSPA, has now become the global head system of choice.”

EagleNXT Advances Defense Initiatives in Poland Amid Market Expansion

Wednesday, March 4th, 2026

ALLEN, Texas, Feb. 25, 2026 — AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (dba, EagleNXT) (the “Company” or “EagleNXT”) (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of full stack drone, sensors and software solutions for customers worldwide in the commercial and government verticals, today highlighted significant momentum and expanding opportunities in Poland, after completion of a recent sale.

Poland has emerged as NATO’s top relative defense spender, allocating approximately 4.5% of GDP to defense in 2026, according to recent reports from the BBC and Reuters, far exceeding the alliance’s targets. This commitment, driven by heightened regional security needs, supports an ambitious multi-year modernization program focused on advanced capabilities, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS), sensors, and related technologies to enhance operational readiness and situational awareness.

“Poland’s leadership in defense spending, their vision for national defense and their access to major EU funding mechanisms create tremendous opportunities for innovative UAS providers like EagleNXT,” said Bill Irby, CEO of EagleNXT. “We are well-positioned to support Poland’s advanced defense and security environments.”

The momentum behind Poland’s defense spending intensified in January 2026, when the European Commission approved Poland’s national defense investment plan under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program. This unlocked approximately €43.7 billion in low-interest loans, enabling substantial investments in strategic unmanned systems and geospatial solutions. This is the largest SAFE allocation to any participating Member State.

EagleNXT’s in-country partner, Dilectro Enterprise, plays a pivotal role in delivering customer success, including training and support. As a proof point of this growing demand, EagleNXT successfully sold six eBee TAC tactical mapping drones to Polish customers through Dilectro in December 2025.

Building on this success and the broader market potential, EagleNXT and Dilectro will jointly participate in three major Polish trade shows in 2026 to showcase the eBee series of drones on the U.S. Department of Defense Blue UAS Cleared list:

  • Drone World Expo, March 3-5, 2026, at PTAK Warsaw Expo in Nadarzyn (near Warsaw), a premier event for drone technologies and unmanned systems applications.
  • POLSECURE, April 21-23, 2026, at Targi Kielce in Kielce, the leading international expo for public safety, critical infrastructure protection, and modern technologies for uniformed services.
  • MSPO (International Defense Industry Exhibition), September 8-11, 2026, also at Targi Kielce in Kielce, Central and Eastern Europe’s largest defense trade fair, drawing global leaders in military modernization.

These events offer prime opportunities to engage defense, government, and security stakeholders amid Poland’s accelerated push for advanced UAS solutions.

For more information about EagleNXT UAS solutions, to schedule a demonstration, or to connect at upcoming events, visit EagleNXT.com.

German Navy System House to be Established: Rheinmetall Takes Over NVL

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026

Düsseldorf-based technology group Rheinmetall has completed the company take-over of NVL, the military part of the Lürssen Group. Following the announcement in September 2025 and the signing of the purchase contract in October 2025, Rheinmetall has now been given all antitrust approvals for the acquisition of Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL B.V. & Co. KG, Bremen-Vegesack), including all its subsidiaries. The transition was concluded on 1 March 2026.

Both parties have agreed on keeping the purchasing price concealed.

With this significant strategic acquisition, Rheinmetall will be creating a German systems house for the development and manufacture of state-of-the-art navy and coastguard vessels, as well as maritime autonomous surface systems. Rheinmetall will thus be further expanding its portfolio within the maritime domain and is hence consolidating its position as a comprehensive supplier of defence technology in Germany and Europe.

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG: “We are happy about the successful finalisation of the transaction”. Already at the announcement of the plans, he stated the following: “In future, Rheinmetall will be a relevant player on land, on water, in the air and in space and is thus developing into a cross-domain system house. In combining the expertise of Rheinmetall and NVL, we will be creating a powerful full-range supplier for state-of-the-art surface vessels. This will generate mutual growth and thus secure a strong position for our corporation’s position in the maritime sphere. At the same time, we are making a substantial contribution to empower the naval defence capabilities of Germany and its NATO allies”.

The current conflict situation reveals that military enforcement capabilities are also becoming increasingly important in the naval sector. Rheinmetall intends to meet the massive increase in demand from naval forces and rising procurement budgets with high-performance system solutions which feature a highly modern digital infrastructure and cover the entire spectrum – from platforms and electronics to sensors and effectors.

For further information, see press release dated September 15, 2025: Rheinmetall reaches agreement with Lürssen on acquisition of NVL

Varjo Launches Ready-to-Deploy XR Systems for Secure and Air-Gapped Environments

Friday, February 27th, 2026

The new offering combines XR-4 Series headsets, certified workstations, and software into a single, deployable XR system suitable for air-gapped environments.

February 26, 2026 – Helsinki, Finland – Varjo, a global technology leader in mission-ready virtual and mixed reality, today expanded its 2026 product offering with the launch of Integrated XR Systems – complete, ready-to-run XR hardware solutions designed to simplify deployment and deliver assured performance from day one in air-gapped environments. 

With Integrated XR Systems, Varjo expands its product portfolio beyond industry-leading headsets to deliver fully validated XR solutions, combining Varjo XR-4 Series headsets (2026 edition) with premium workstations, pre-installed software, bundled licenses, and expert support. The new offering is designed for defense programs, system integrators, and professional XR users who require reliability and fast deployment. 

“As defense training requirements evolve, immersive simulation has become a core capability rather than an add-on,” said Bartek Panasewicz, VP Training Systems Land at Rheinmetall Electronics. “Varjo’s Integrated XR Systems allow us to deliver scalable, secure solutions that meet the growing demand for operational readiness across NATO and allied forces.” 

“Our military customers need fully equipped systems they can trust, not just devices,” said Valentin Storz, Chief Revenue Officer at Varjo. “At a time when parts of the XR market are recalibrating, Varjo continues to invest with discipline and purpose and evolve our portfolio based on the real-world needs of our customers, doubling down on mission-critical use cases where XR delivers measurable impact. Our Integrated XR Systems represent the next step in that evolution, delivering complete, secure platforms designed to close the training readiness gap.” 

Deploying high-end virtual and mixed reality has traditionally required sourcing hardware from multiple vendors, validating compatibility, installing software, and managing support across different suppliers. This integration phase often slows down real-world deployment and increases operational risk. 

 

Integrated XR Systems remove that complexity by delivering a single, fully configured XR platform that is validated, tested, and ready for use in secure settings on arrival. Each system includes: 

  • a Varjo XR-4, XR-4 Focal Edition, or XR-4 Secure Edition headset, 
  • a Varjo-certified workstation (XR Station) manufactured by Varjo’s long-term partners SCHENKER or RAVE Computer,  
  • pre-installed core XR software and tools, bundled licenses including offline support,  extended warranty coverage,
  • and expert support from Varjo’s professional services team (in Europe). 

The systems are built around a tested and validated hardware and software configuration optimized for demanding virtual and mixed reality training with the XR-4 Series. Core supporting software comes pre-installed, enabling deployment without internet connectivity or additional downloads, making the systems optimal for secure or restricted environments. 

Integrated XR Systems are delivered as a complete package with an extended warranty, providing a single point of accountability across hardware, software, and support. This approach supports long-term planning and scalable XR deployment across organizations. The bundled XR software suite includes Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, Varjo Base Pro, Varjo Lab Tools, NVIDIA™ App, Steam™, and SteamVR™, as well as Varjo sample demos and setup tools. 

Integrated XR Systems are part of Varjo’s broader professional XR portfolio, which also includes professional services. These expert services help organizations design, deploy, and scale XR solutions from system integration and customization to training, optimization, and ongoing operational support, enabling customers to move faster from deployment to real-world use.

Integrated XR Systems are now available as part of Varjo’s updated 2026 product offering, with pricing starting at:

Integrated XR System (XR-4): €24,990

Integrated XR System (XR-4 Focal Edition): €29,99

DroneShield Secures $21.7M Western Military Contracts

Friday, February 27th, 2026

Sydney, Australia – 26 February 2026 – DroneShield (ASX:DRO), a global leader in counter-drone technology, is pleased to announce that it has received a package of six standalone contracts for $21.7 million from an in-country reseller for delivery to a western military end-customer.

The contracts are for the supply of dismounted counter-drone systems, spare kits, and software subscriptions. All items are readily available from existing inventories and it is expected delivery will be made in Q1 2026, with payment expected in Q2 2026. No additional material conditions need to be satisfied.


Image: DroneShield RfPatrol Mk2

The reseller is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a multi-billion dollar, global, publicly listed company that is required to distribute the products to the western military end-customer. Over the past seven years, prior to this contract, DroneShield has received 39 contracts from this reseller totalling over $17.8 million.

ISI Introduces KNIGHT– A Very High-Resolution Satellite with Advanced SWIR and Video Capabilities

Thursday, February 26th, 2026

Knight combines 35 cm true?color imaging, Full Motion Video and 1.5 m SWIR sensing to extend space?based intelligence into night and low?visibility conditions

February 25, 2026, Israel – ImageSat International (TASE: ISI), a global leader in space-based intelligence solutions, reports that the KNIGHT development program is progressing according to schedule and has entered its final stages. The satellite is designed to strengthen ISI’s operational portfolio by delivering persistent, high-clarity observation of critical targets across day, night, and degraded visibility environments, enabling effective collection in low-visibility conditions such as haze, smoke, fog, and during dawn and dusk.

For defense and security users, KNIGHT provides reliable monitoring in conditions where conventional electro-optical systems face limitations. Its integrated SWIR channel enhances detection, recognition, and tracking capabilities, while onboard AI processes imagery directly in orbit – prioritizing mission-critical data and accelerating response timelines.

Building on the intelligence-centric architecture pioneered by ISI’s RUNNER satellite, KNIGHT incorporates proven in-orbit analytics, real-time movement tracking, and efficient narrow-band intelligence dissemination via embedded AI. It extends this foundation into the very high-resolution domain and into night and limited-visibility operations, combining 35 cm true-color imaging with a dedicated SWIR channel and integrated video capabilities to deliver a richer and more dynamic intelligence picture.

Advanced onboard computing enables real-time image and video assessment, autonomous memory management, and optimized downlink usage. The satellite can filter low-quality data, re-task areas of interest autonomously, and deliver actionable intelligence directly to operational networks. Its flexible processing architecture also allows software and algorithm updates throughout its lifetime, ensuring continuous performance enhancement and evolving analytical capabilities in orbit.

“Completing recent development milestones demonstrates the maturity of the Knight program and our continued execution towards a launch planned for 2027,” said Noam Segal, CEO of ImageSat International. “KNIGHT is being developed to provide defense and security users with clearer and more continuous intelligence, both static and dynamic, regardless of time of day or visibility conditions. By integrating very high-resolution imaging, SWIR sensing, video, and onboard AI-driven processing, it enhances operational flexibility and decision-making confidence in complex environments.”

www.imagesatintl.com

DSTG and DroneShield Sign Bilateral Collaborative Research Agreement to Advance Counter-Drone Technology

Thursday, February 26th, 2026

Sydney, Australia – 26 February 2026 – DroneShield (ASX:DRO), a global leader in counter-drone technology, today announced the signing of a Bilateral Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) with the Australian Department of Defence (Defence), through the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), to strengthen Australia’s capability in counter-drone technology.

The agreement establishes a framework for sharing data on emerging drone technologies and access to either parties test articles, ranges and facilities. This collaboration will leverage DSTG’s scientific expertise and DroneShield’s industry-leading counter-drone technology to ensure both organisations continue to deliver world-class solutions to emerging threats posed by new drones.

DroneShield has also announced the establishment of a $13 million R&D Hub in Adelaide for counter-drone technology, strategically located to enable closer collaboration with Defence and DSTG. This investment complements DroneShield’s previous R&D collaborations, such as with the DSTG-supported Defence Innovation Network that helped develop DroneOptID, DroneShield’s optical system for detection, identification and tracking of fast-moving drones.


Image: A new partnership between DroneShield and DSTG will establish a framework for sharing data on emerging drone technologies

Angus Bean, Chief Product Officer of DroneShield said, “This agreement represents an important step in advancing counter-drone technology not only for Defence but for DroneShield’s end-users globally. Working closely with DSTG allows us to combine our practical experience with their research expertise to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of the Australian Defence Force.”

The collaboration will focus on emerging drone technologies through sharing data, test articles and conducting collaborative test programs to drive innovation areas that enhance detection, tracking, and neutralisation of unauthorised drones, supporting Defence and industry efforts to safeguard Australia’s security in an increasingly complex operational environment.

DSTG’s media release including quotes attributable to Chief Defence Scientist Prof Tanya Monro may be viewed at: defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2026-02-25/australia-accelerate-counter-drone-research-droneshield