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Origin Robotics Selected by Belgian Ministry of Defense to Supply BLAZE Drone Interceptors

Wednesday, November 19th, 2025

RIGA, Latvia (18 November 2025) – Origin Robotics announced today that the Belgian Ministry of Defense has selected its AI-powered BLAZE interceptor as part of a newly approved 50 million euro national counter-drone package aimed at strengthening Belgium’s ability to detect, track and neutralize hostile unmanned aerial systems. The procurement follows several weeks of escalating drone incursions over airports, military facilities and critical infrastructure.

Belgium’s decision comes amid significant pressure to reinforce its airspace security. The country has struggled to respond to repeated air traffic interruptions due to insufficient counter-drone capacity. In recent weeks Belgium had to call in support from Germany and the United Kingdom to compensate for the shortfall. The new short-term package is intended to restore immediate operational resilience while the Ministry of Defense prepares a longer-term investment plan. In addition, Defence Minister Theo Francken has announced a 500 million euro comprehensive anti-drone program for sustained capability development.

Agris Kipurs, CEO and co-founder of Origin Robotics, said, “This decision reaffirms Origin Robotics as a leading company in the field of advanced autonomous defense systems. In essence, this is a major statement of confidence. Belgium is facing an immediate security problem and has chosen BLAZE as the solution. We are proud to support a NATO ally with a system built for exactly this type of threat environment and we remain committed to delivering reliable, cost-effective and rapidly deployable capabilities.”

Launched in May 2025, BLAZE is an autonomous interceptor designed to neutralize fast-moving aerial threats, including loitering munitions and hostile drones. It combines radar-based detection, AI-powered computer vision and operator-approved autonomy to deliver precise, rapid and scalable defensive capability. The system is man-portable, deployable in minutes and capable of high-intensity operational cycles. BLAZE delivers intercepts through airburst fragmentation and includes robust safety features such as operator-controlled wave-off commands for return or self-neutralization.

The Belgian procurement reinforces the growing adoption of Origin Robotics technologies across Europe. Following the battlefield-proven deployment of Origin’s BEAK system with the Latvian and Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as recognition through national and EU defense programs, Origin continues to expand its role as a trusted supplier of autonomous aerial defense solutions.

Posted in C-UAS, Contracts, Drone, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Echodyne and Poland’s Military Institute of Armored and Automotive Technology Collaborate on Integrating Counter-Drone Radar into Unmanned Ground Vehicles

Monday, November 17th, 2025

The respected R&D center collaborates with Echodyne as modernizing ground capabilities becomes increasingly important for national defense

Kirkland, WA, November 13, 2025 – Echodyne, the radar platform company, today announces a collaboration with Poland’s Military Institute of Armored and Automotive Technology (WITPiS), a leading research and development center in the field of land vehicle technology. Through this collaboration, the teams will work to assess, integrate, and find potential uses for Echodyne’s counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) radars in Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) developed by WITPiS and its industrial partners.

Echodyne will be working closely with its long-time partner and distributor in Poland, Linc Polska, to test, demonstrate, and present the capabilities of C-UAS radar technology with WITPiS’ UGVs. The three entities will work hand-in-hand to identify both civil and military applications for the radar-enabled UGVs in the region.

“The Military Institute of Armored and Automotive Technology brings critical expertise to our collaboration to deliver best-in-class ground-based systems for detection and situational awareness,” said Eben Frankenberg, CEO of Echodyne. “As Allied militaries increasingly put the spotlight on modernizing their land force capabilities, Echodyne looks forward to continuing to demonstrate how our MESA radars provide the highest performance for on-the-move threat detection, and integration into larger counter-UAS and defense systems.”

Echodyne’s 4D metamaterials electronically scanned array (MESA) radars are perfectly suited to provide the reliable precision tracking capabilities required for fixed, portable, and on-the-move C-UAS missions. Rooted in the belief that data fidelity makes all the difference to C-UAS mission success, Echodyne radars consistently generate a high-fidelity view of the airspace, detecting and tracking UAS intruders with pinpoint accuracy.

“Echodyne’s been a long-time partner of ours and we know exactly what their consistent, reliable radar technology is capable of,” said Harald Dingemans, CEO at Linc Polska. “We look forward to showcasing different ways the radar technology can support the modernization of land capabilities with WITPiS UGVs.”

Posted in C-UAS, Industry, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Team LionStrike Demonstrates Their Light Vehicle Line Up in UK, for the First Time

Sunday, November 16th, 2025

MILLBROOK, UK – LionStrike, a team established between GM Defense, BAE Systems, and NP Aerospace yesterday demonstrated their light vehicle line up for the first time in the UK, at a VIP and media Ride and Drive event.

Showcased to invited guests at the Millbrook Proving Ground, the demonstrated vehicles are being offered to meet the requirements of the UK MoD’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) and specifically, the lighter General Support Utility Platform (GSUP) and Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) requirements, expected to be selected in 2026.

Team LionStrike was announced in early September 2025 followed by the GM Defense GSUP vehicle being revealed on static display at the UK DSEI exhibition later that month. Now, for the first time in UK, guests and media have had the opportunity to ride and drive and see all three variants up close and in detail. Demonstrated were three proven, Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) light and utility military vehicles:

1. 2. 3. GSUP – based on the Chevrolet S10 Work Truck, delivering capacity for 4 crew, flexible and modular cab/utility configurations, 207HP diesel, and a payload of 1116 kg.

Silverado 1500 ZR2 – a light duty, more powerful variant delivering capacity for 5 crew, flexible and modular cab/utility configurations, 305HP diesel, and payload of 705kg.

Infantry Squad Vehicle- Utility (ISV-U) – based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 platform, delivering capacity for up to 5 crew, open-top utility and tactical configurations.

All three demonstrated vehicles are backed by Team LionStrike, that is focused on offering the UK MoD a mobility solution to rapidly modernise its wheeled vehicle fleet. Team LionStrike will deliver economic growth as part of the Land Industrial Strategy, and significant export growth potential. Team LionStrike is building a sustainable supply chain and delivery ecosystem in the UK. LionStrike will be supported by GM’s leading UK team members, NP Aerospace and BAE Systems and is also anchored by GM’s worldwide parts distribution system.

J.D. Johnson, vice president of GM Defense Government Solutions and Strategy, said it was an “honour” for GM Defense and its U.K.-based LionStrike team members to demonstrate their COTS-based platforms at Millbrook to invited guests.

“I truly believe that what makes Team LionStrike different is the fact that GM, with our history and proven capability, is embedded into the procurement and support solutions offered here, as the vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM),” Johnson said. “Having the OEM so intimately involved provides capability, efficiencies and crucial assurance, confidence and support to the U.K. Armed Forces, through life.”

Johnson added that the company is “very proud of what our Team LionStrike strategy and plan will bring to U.K. industry, U.K. economy and potentially, future U.K. exports.” He concluded by drawing a line from history to the present: “As we’ve prepared for this event we have been able to look back and note with pride the level of support and involvement Chevrolet and GMC trucks played in the British military campaigns dating back to World War II. That successful heritage firmly underpins what we’ve been demonstrating here today.”

Posted in International, Mobility, Press Release | No Comments »

Get a Modern Morrión from Morriones López

Saturday, November 15th, 2025

When I ran across Morriones López and their hats inspired by the classic Spaniard Helmet called the Morrión and made famous by the Conquistadors, I knew I had to share it with my readers.

Offered in several colorways and fabrics, you can get your Morrión at morriones.myshopify.com/collections/all

Posted in Clothing, International | 3 Comments »

INTEGRIS Unveils New Compact Shield Developed with N.O.C.S., the Special Operations Unit of the Italian State Police, at Milipol

Friday, November 14th, 2025

Integris is proud to introduce NOX, a compact ballistic shield engineered with Italy’s N.O.C.S. tactical unit and tested in the field by its operators. The shield will debut at Milipol in Paris, 18–21 November 2025.

The ballistic shield was conceived after a consultation in which tactical operators described repeated challenges associated with traditional shields: difficulty moving inside buses, trains or narrow hallways, limited ability to climb while protected, and exposure when breaking windows or entering vehicles. N.O.C.S required a shield that could travel everywhere they could; up staircases, through tight door-frames, across vehicle interiors and into elevated access points, without sacrificing protection. This request shaped the first design brief for NOX.

The shield’s small footprint allows it to be carried with one arm or worn on the shoulder or back, giving full mobility in confined environments. A dedicated handgun rest allows accurate fire from behind cover and its tungsten glass-breaking spikes provide rapid access to vehicles and building interiors, capabilities tested extensively by the N.O.C.S. team.

“Our missions often require rapid access through vehicles or elevated windows where conventional shields simply do not fit. At those moments, an operator was exposed the instant he appeared at the threshold. With this shield, we will have protection during those crucial seconds. It gives us speed, control, and safety under conditions where every movement matters.”

– N.O.C.S. leadership

Front and rear of the NOX shield.

Throughout development, the unit provided hands-on feedback that influenced every detail, from the ergonomics of the padding to the geometry of the handles for gloved use, ultimately leading to a refined and certified second version.

“NOX is the result of genuine cooperation, where a field requirement became a tangible solution. The operators told us exactly where existing shields limited them and by working together, we produced a shield that maintains ballistic protection while allowing full mobility. NOX is small, fast, practical, and built for the realities of close-quarters operations.”

– Bianca Revello, Area Manager at Integers

NOX is available in NIJ IIIA configuration and up to Level III+ (7.62×39 MSC), with optional lighting, patches, and accessories. Despite its compact size, it integrates seamlessly with larger column shields during coordinated entry, providing protection in the tight interior spaces that follow.

NOX is a part of the “Design Your Own Shield”program where Integris allows tactical units to customise ballistic shields to their exact mission needs; shape, handles, weight targets, protection level and accessories. With 3D ergonomic samples and prototype hardware for testing, teams can validate handling before production and receive a shield built for their environment and specific needs.

N.O.C.S operator breaking car glass with the NOX shield.

For more information about our ballistic shields: integriscomposites.com/personalprotection/ballistic-shields

Posted in Armor, International, LE, Milipol, Press Release | No Comments »

Allen-Vanguard Delivers More TURMOIL (RF Decoy) to a NATO Country

Thursday, November 13th, 2025

Allen-Vanguard, the global leader in providing customised solutions and enabling technology across the Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) domain, has delivered more TURMOIL (their RF Decoy capability) to a NATO country. Due to the nature of the technology and its counter-EW role, Allen-Vanguard is unable to disclose more specific details about the customer or the product’s deployment. However, suffice to say, its success has generated a follow-on order.

Allen-Vanguard’s TURMOIL RF Decoy is an Electromagnetic Countermeasure that delivers tactical advantage against adversaries by leveraging Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) capabilities and essentially mimicking friendly forces’ RF signatures in multiple locations, thereby causing disruption (turmoil) in the enemy’s EW and targeting processes. TURMOIL has complex and infinitely variable RF emulation technologies, which can be programmed and reprogrammed quickly and easily by users to adapt to the emerging tactical situation. TURMOIL aides freedom of manoeuvre in the electromagnetic space and creates time and space for formations to deliver surprise offensive operations.

Allen-Vanguard continues to expand outside its more traditional core domain of RF defeat capabilities aimed at Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) and Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) threats employed by terrorists and extremists. The expertise in RF signature detection and analysis, established over 20 years of capability delivery, has been adapted by Allen-Vanguard’s engineers and applied more widely across the CEMA domain to meet specific market demands and customer requirements such as this. The continued shift by Allen-Vanguard into wider EW activities is attracting attention within industry circles, and the team are excited by the opportunities identified across the modern Electro Magnetic Spectrum Operational (EMSO) landscape.

Steve Drover, Business Development for Allen-Vanguard, said: “We were approached by an existing customer to design an RF Decoy capability and our engineers, using their vast EW expertise, quickly developed TURMOIL. We were extremely pleased with the outcome, and the fact our customer has ordered more systems is a testament to its value in this increasingly contested and congested battlespace.”

Posted in Contracts, EW, International, NATO, Press Release | No Comments »

Carrington Textiles Launches New Fabric Collection Guides at A+A

Tuesday, November 11th, 2025

Adlington, United Kingdom: Global workwear textiles manufacturer Carrington Textiles marked a successful return to A+A in Düsseldorf with the launch of 13 new fabrics and the official debut of their redesigned Fabric Collection Guides. The stand attracted a high number of visitors across the four days of the exhibition, with excellent feedback on both the new products and the innovative format of the guides.

Paul Farrell, Sales Director at Carrington Textiles, said: “We were delighted with the response at A+A. The new fabrics were extremely well received, with customers particularly interested in how we are pushing the boundaries with stretch, sustainability and flame retardancy. The launch of our new Fabric Collection Guides was another highlight, giving visitors a completely new way to explore our portfolio.”

The Fabric Collection Guides have been developed to combine practicality with a premium look. Their smart half Canadian bound format allows pages to open flat for effortless display, while detailed product sections give buyers the key information they need at a glance, from composition and weave to fibre types and certifications. Each guide also integrates QR codes for instant access to deeper technical content, as well as dedicated info pages to provide additional insight into sub-ranges such as polycotton and stretch.

Fabric swatches have been built into the guides so customers can feel the quality directly, while a QR-coded online colour chart provides access to the latest shade information at any time. The collection is completed by a durable slip case that keeps the guides together, easy to carry and presentable in any setting. Printed on FSC recycled paper, they also reflect Carrington Textiles’ ongoing commitment to sustainability.

To showcase these features at A+A, Carrington Textiles premiered a sleek 3D animation. With cinematic lighting, high-end textures and minimal narration, the film dramatised the shape, finish and usability of the guides, reinforcing their premium feel and the company’s strong brand presence.

Together, the new fabrics and Fabric Collection Guides reinforced Carrington Textiles’ position as a global leader in workwear textiles, with innovation in both product and presentation.

For more information visit carrington.co.uk.

Posted in Industry, International, Materials, Press Release | No Comments »

Australian Special Air Service (1973)

Sunday, November 9th, 2025

Martin Walsh at PLATATAC was given this old 16mm film canister several years ago by an old friend Doug Knight of the Australian Commando Assn. It’s now available on YouTube.

Posted in History, International, SOF | 1 Comment »