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ManTech Marks 70 Years of Creating Innovative Military Solutions

Wednesday, August 19th, 2026

This year marks a 70-year milestone for the War Department’s Manufacturing Technology enterprise, which has been solving challenges beyond industry partners’ investment capacity and risk tolerance for decades and has spawned separate service and agency specific programs.

The ManTech program was established in 1956 to solve manufacturing problems that were too costly for industry partners to take on, said Emil Michael, undersecretary of war for research and engineering, during a commemorative event at the Pentagon yesterday.

He added that investments in the enterprise have been the unseen force behind precision-guided munitions, stealth aircraft, combat vehicles, advanced microelectronics and other advances.

For instance, the Navy ManTech program is using robots to increase submarine construction, and the Army ManTech program is using the investment capital to build ballistic helmets for troops. Also, the Defense Logistics Agency ManTech program has restored domestic production capability for legacy defense microelectronics, thereby extending the life of critical weapon systems.

As military systems become more complex, investments have evolved to tackle broader challenges in the defense industrial base, with a focus on workforce, public-private partnerships and collaboration, Michael said.

“We’re moving fast to bring on new entrants, lowering the barriers for entry, so that agile startups, nontraditional defense contractors and commercial innovators can rapidly plug into our ecosystem,” he said.

The department has been increasing the number of industry competitors, Michael pointed out.

“And it’s working,” he said. “There’s been more defense tech investment dollars in new entrants than ever before.”

The department is working on ways to help them succeed, so that it has a more robust, competitive ecosystem.

“We have processes. We have procedures. We have things that are not designed for small companies, for new entrants, for new innovators to succeed as easily as the big guys,” Michael said, adding that it’s incumbent upon the department to give those small companies and new innovators a helping hand to ensure they have a shot at working for the Pentagon.

One of the ManTech enterprise’s primary vehicles to build at speed and scale is the Manufacturing Innovation Institute, which has more than 2,200 member organizations that have trained over 700,000 workers and students.

The department’s ManTech program showcased cost-effective, innovative technologies during events at the Pentagon yesterday and today. Technologies included additive manufacturing, robotics, advanced materials for munitions, combat vehicle modernization, microelectronics and artificial intelligence.

The enterprise doesn’t develop weapon systems — it develops the manufacturing capabilities needed to build them, through collaboration across the military services, War Department agencies, industry, academia and public-private partnerships.

Many of today’s advanced defense systems, including stealth aircraft, submarines, advanced munitions, combat vehicles and radar systems benefited from ManTech enterprise manufacturing investments. A few of their other many advances include:

The Air Force ManTech program lowered production costs for active electronically scanned array radar used aboard ships, aircraft and on the ground.
The Army ManTech program introduced advanced armor materials and robotic welding to improve production speed, quality and worker safety. They also helped modernize cannon tube production, reducing production time by about 50%.
The Navy ManTech program developed a ceramic coating that extends the service life of submarine seawater valves to match the operational life of the sub, saving more than $100 million in life-cycle costs.

By David Vergun, Pentagon News

Posted in Guest Post, Manufacturing | No Comments »

Tobyhanna Army Depot Enters First-of-Its-Kind Arrangement for Rapid sUAS Component Production

Friday, August 7th, 2026

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – In a move set to reshape the Defense Industrial Base, Tobyhanna Army Depot signed a landmark cooperative arrangement with a defense industry partner. This arrangement merges capabilities aimed at rapidly advancing domestic manufacturing and military readiness.

The strategic agreement empowers TYAD and Darkhive, a company focused on modern hardware and software solutions for aerospace and defense use, to combine strengths in support of critical Department of War requirements. This cooperative agreement focuses on the future of combat and defense, including the rapid development, production and sustainment of small-unmanned aircraft systems, or sUAS.

“The Organic Industrial Base is the backbone of Army readiness, but the world is changing, and the OIB needs to change too,” said Chris Mohan, commanding general of Army Materiel Command. “We are using new business practices, in coordination with the defense industrial base, to transform ourselves while simultaneously supporting high operational demands for U.S. forces and allies.”

The cooperative arrangement serves as a pioneering use of use of Title 10 of U.S. Code section 7544, which authorizes a working capital-funded Army industrial facility to enter into an agreement with a non-Army entity to carry out a military or commercial project. In this instance, the first time this authority has ever been leveraged by TYAD, the arrangement merges the Army’s premier Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Center of Excellence with industry best practices and capabilities.

The arrangement also comes on the heels of the Army’s OIB Transformation Strategy, signed in April 2026, to convert depots, arsenals and ammunition plants from a fragmented, maintenance-focused enterprise into a strategically aligned industrial engine capable of delivering combat-ready formations in competition, crisis and conflict.

“This is more than just a partnership as this agreement represents the future— the first of many designed to close the gap between commercial tech innovators and the military’s Organic Industrial Base,” said Jon Strzelec, AMC advanced manufacturing lead for sUAS. “By combining the speed and agility of the commercial sector with the massive production capability of our depots and arsenals, we are creating a new model for rapid defense innovation and product delivery.”

The agreement enables a dynamic sharing of resources allowing TYAD to utilize its state-of-the-art infrastructure to manufacture cutting-edge parts, perform sustainment services and directly produce industry-standard products for government use.

The arrangement also opens the doors of TYAD to Darkhive personnel, who will be able to lease and operate within the depot’s facilities, tapping into its extensive equipment and production capacity to further research and innovate sUAS technology while also generating working capital funds for TYAD.

“The arrangement allows Tobyhanna Army Depot to take advantage of DIB speed while Darkhive can develop new solutions for the government using OIB production lines that are already established,” Strzelec said. “And this synergistic approach won’t just stop with production of sUAS components.”

This cooperative arrangement is setting a new standard for modern defense collaboration with the OIB, ensuring a more resilient defense industrial base capable of meeting tomorrow’s national security challenges.

By Lindsay Grant

Posted in Army, C-UAS, Guest Post, Industry, Manufacturing | No Comments »

12 Months In: Galvion’s Poland Operation Emerges as a European and NATO Centre of Excellence

Thursday, July 30th, 2026

Galvion, a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative head systems, power and data management solutions, and integrated soldier systems, has announced that at the 12-month point from formal opening, their European and NATO production hub in Gdansk, Poland, has emerged as a significant centre of excellence.

Galvion’s facility was first announced in September 2023, was completed in June 2024, and was fully operational in April 2025. The facility was formally opened by Her Excellency, Catherin Godin, the Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Poland, at a ceremony held on 23rd June 2025. The facility represents a major investment that has significantly strengthened Galvion’s regional support and service strategy. With both production and support capabilities, Galvion has been serving their widespread European and NATO customers from a geographically aligned centre of excellence.

Since the formal opening last June, Galvion’s Gda?sk manufacturing facility has rapidly established itself as the cornerstone of the company’s European and NATO operations. In just 12 months, the site has grown to employ more than 100 people and has shipped over 90,000 ballistic helmets to NATO allies, supporting customers in 10 countries across NATO and allied nations worldwide, including Europe, Canada and the Middle East. With an annual production capacity of 100,000 helmets on a single shift, the facility manufactures multiple helmet platforms and has established a robust European manufacturing footprint, strengthening supply chain resilience and enabling closer proximity to customers. Continued investment in advanced technologies, automation and expanded production capabilities underscores Galvion’s long-term commitment to innovation, operational excellence and supporting the evolving needs of defence and security partners across Europe and beyond.

Following consecutive program awards from key European nations, including a NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework contract, Galvion is expecting to have close to 2 million helmets in service across NATO and other European countries by the end of 2026. The Polish factory houses helmet finishing and assembly capabilities, in addition to critical support, maintenance, refurbishment, upgrade and training operations. Galvion’s existing core facilities in Canada and the USA continue to design, develop, manufacture and service domestic, regional, and key global programs, customers, production and support requirements.

Building on its long-established leadership in ballistic head protection, Galvion is now extending the role of the helmet as the foundation of an integrated soldier system. The company’s latest Cortex™ EVO and EVO HALO technologies enable power, data and digital capabilities to be incorporated directly into existing or new helmet platforms, creating a pathway for militaries to modernize equipment already in service. As these capabilities are introduced across European programs, Galvion’s Gda?sk facility is positioned to support both new production and the upgrade, refurbishment and integration of in-service helmet fleets, further expanding its role as a regional centre of excellence.

Jonathan Blanshay, Founder and Executive Chairman at Galvion, said: “When we invested in Poland, our objective was never simply to build another manufacturing facility. We wanted to establish a long-term operational centre that could serve our European and NATO customers with local production, sustainment, modernization and technical support. One year later, the team has exceeded our expectations and demonstrated exactly what that model can achieve.” He continued:

“Looking ahead, the opportunity is even greater. As soldiers become increasingly connected, the helmet is evolving into the platform that brings together protection, power, data and digital capability. Our vision is to help customers not only procure next-generation integrated systems but also upgrade equipment already in service. Gda?sk will play a central role in delivering that capability across Europe for many years to come.”

Posted in Helmets, International, Manufacturing, Press Release | Comments Off on 12 Months In: Galvion’s Poland Operation Emerges as a European and NATO Centre of Excellence

Foundation-Laying Ceremony in Aschau: Rheinmetall is Constructing One of Europe’s Largest and Most Modern Powder Plants – National Production Capacity for Over One Million Propellant Charge Modules

Friday, July 24th, 2026

Rheinmetall is one of the largest ammunition manufacturers in the Western world and is continuing to significantly expand its production capacity through the Project Firepower. For this purpose, one of Europe’s largest and most modern powder factories is being constructed at Rheinmetall’s long-standing Aschau am Inn site, which is also home to the headquarters of its subsidiary Rheinmetall Nitrochemie. The Minister-President of the Free State of Bavaria, Dr Markus Söder, Member of the Bavarian Parliament, the Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Defence, Dr Nils Schmid, and the Bavarian Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, Dr Hubert Aiwanger, Member of the Bavarian Parliament, attended the foundation-laying ceremony.

Production capacity for propellant components for barrel artillery and other large-calibre systems will be significantly expanded at the Aschau site. The site currently covers 90 hectares and is set to grow to around 110 hectares. Several hundred million Euro will be invested in the project. The workforce in Aschau continues to grow. Since 2022, the number of employees has risen by around 80 per cent to over 800. Several hundred more jobs are set to be created, meaning that 1,400 employees will work here in future.

Production is set to begin gradually at the newly established facilities from 2027 onwards. The Aschau site currently operates in shifts around the clock to produce around 1,700 tonnes of powder and 300,000 propellant charge modules per year. Over the next 24 months, the production of powder and propellant charge modules is set to more than double. This equates to an additional 2,500 tonnes of powder, over five million combustible components, and over one million modular propellant charge modules to be manufactured in Aschau. The entire value chain for modular propellant charges is managed from a single source and site. Maximum production capacity will be reached in 2028.

The propellant charge, or powder, is one of the most important components in weapon systems. Once ignited, it burns in a controlled manner, leaving no residue. This propels the projectile out of the barrel and towards the target.

“Security and defence capability are the prerequisites for freedom: the laying of the foundation stone for the plant expansion of Rheinmetall’s subsidiary Nitrochemie in Aschau am Inn is a good day for security,” said Minister-President Dr Markus Söder. “Rheinmetall is investing €500 million in Europe’s largest and most modern powder factory. This makes a decisive contribution to resilience and autonomy in the defence sector and creates 500 new, secure jobs in the region. This benefits Germany, the EU and NATO. After all, only those who can defend themselves will not be attacked. In Bavaria, security and defence are a priority – a third of Germany’s defence technology companies are based in the Free State. With our own Defence Industry Act, we are ensuring that defence companies are given priority. Just as with the Bundeswehr Act, we are pioneers throughout Germany!”

Parliamentary State Secretary Dr Nils Schmid: “Expanding production capacity in Germany, particularly for ammunition, is a security necessity and is also of the utmost importance to our partners. I am therefore grateful that the security and defence industry is making efforts at all levels to make supply chains more resilient. The results are truly impressive. The new facility here in Aschau is a response to the urgent demand for ammunition in Germany and across Europe. The additional production capacity will, overall, enhance Germany’s and Europe’s strategic autonomy. It demonstrates that democratic states are prepared to take responsibility and stand up for one another. On behalf of the Federal Government, we wish you a swift construction process and every success with this important contribution to the defence of Germany and Europe.”

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG: “Since its foundation, Rheinmetall has been a competence centre for weapons and ammunition systems. We are one of the few manufacturers in the ammunition sector to cover the entire value chain, from propellant charges and primers to fuzes and shell bodies, as well as explosive and active charges. None of these components shall be a bottleneck. This is particularly important when it comes to propellant, as there are only a few manufacturers worldwide. Self-sufficiency is therefore crucial. The Aschau site will thus make a decisive contribution to the national sovereignty and credible defence capability of Germany and Europe”.

Background: Rheinmetall’s Firepower project and further capacity expansion

In response to the urgent need for ammunition in the Western world, Rheinmetall has launched Project Firepower. The company is investing heavily in its manufacturing operations by building new plants, such as the one in Unterlüß, and expanding existing sites, such as Nitrochemie. The aim is to increase the Group’s annual propellant powder capacity to 20,000 tonnes by 2030, in order to meet the ammunition requirements of the Bundeswehr, NATO and the EU. Over a fifth of this capacity – 4,200 tonnes – will come from Aschau. Rheinmetall is investing a total of around €650 million in the production of propellant powder and its energy-intensive precursors, €350 million of which is being invested in Aschau. Alongside the Aschau am Inn site, production facilities in Wimmis (Switzerland) as well as in Murcia and Burgos (Spain), amongst others, are contributing to the capacity expansion.

Posted in Ammo, International, Manufacturing, Press Release | No Comments »

Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall Move Forward with ATACMS Co-Production in Europe

Wednesday, July 8th, 2026

ANKARA, Türkiye, July 7, 2026 – During the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Rheinmetall announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that addresses the immediate demand for locally produced munitions in Europe.

With the support of the United States and German governments, the agreement marks the next step toward establishing a joint venture to create the first European centre of excellence for the manufacturing, integration and distribution of ATACMS across NATO and allied European forces.

“This partnership marks a watershed moment for European security and allied industrial cooperation. By combining Lockheed Martin’s unmatched missile expertise with Rheinmetall’s manufacturing excellence, we’ll deliver combat-proven capabilities faster and more efficiently to our allies,” said Jay Pitman, president, Lockheed Martin International.

“Bringing ATACMS co-production to Germany is a strong signal for Europe’s defense industry and for NATO’s long-term resilience. This partnership combines proven U.S. technology with European manufacturing strength, creating industrial value in Germany while expanding the capacity allies need to meet growing security demands.” said Dennis Goege, chief executive for Europe at Lockheed Martin.

Armin Papperger, CEO Rheinmetall AG: “Our aim is to strengthen the defence capabilities of Germany and Europe. Together with our friends at Lockheed Martin, we are now establishing the industrial base in Germany for modern defence systems, which are in great demand by the armed forces of Europe. By establishing ATACMS production at Rheinmetall’s Unterluess site, we are creating new capabilities for Germany and Europe, securing supplies for our customers and strengthening our autonomy in defence policy. We are grateful that Rheinmetall has been selected to set up and operate the world’s first and only production facility for ATACMS guided missiles outside the United States.”

Commissioned over 125 years ago, Rheinmetall’s Unterluess facility is one of the company’s most important sites. A total of about 4,000 employees work there. Its core competencies include the production of weapon systems and ammunition, as well as the development, manufacture, and maintenance of tracked vehicles. Unterluess is the largest privately owned firing range in Europe. Last year, the “Werk Niedersachsen”—one of the most modern production facilities for artillery ammunition—was put into operation. A rocket motor factory is currently nearing completion. Production of rocket motors and guided missile components is scheduled to begin as early as 2027.

By co-producing ATACMS missiles on European soil, the partnership supports local capability, increases allied deterrence and contributes to economies on both sides of the Atlantic. Backed by decades of extensive combat employment, ATACMS has consistently proven its operational effectiveness, precision, and mission reliability in high-intensity conflicts. With significant global demand for ATACMS, Lockheed Martin will continue operating its current production line in Camden, Arkansas until transition is complete.

The agreement underscores Lockheed Martin’s commitment to Europe, forging deep, long-term co-production ties with European industry and customers. Lockheed Martin has been a strategic partner for the defense and security of Europe for more than 75 years and remains steadfast in its support of customers and partners across the region.

Posted in International, Manufacturing, Munitions, Press Release | No Comments »

INKAS Announces Major North American Manufacturing Expansion Across Canada and the United States

Tuesday, July 7th, 2026

New facilities in Canada, North Carolina, and Florida are expected to more than double INKAS®’ armored vehicle, defense, and special-purpose production footprint by July 31, 2026

Toronto, Canada, June 30th, 2026 – INKAS®, a Canadian armored vehicle manufacturer and systems integrator, announces a major expansion of its North American manufacturing footprint, with three additiona production facilities across Canada and the United States expected to be in full operation by July 31, 2026.

The three newly leased facilities are comprised of a mix of manufacturing and production space, with approximately 42,000 square feet at an additional Toronto facility in Canada, 200,000 square feet at an armored vehicle production facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, and 31,000 square feet for a first-time facility in Florida at Fort Pierce.

Together, these facilities are expected to more than double INKAS’® production space across North America, strengthening the company’s ability to support growing demand from government, defense, law enforcement, commercial security, and specialized vehicle customers.

The expanded footprint provides INKAS® with greater production flexibility, additional manufacturing capacity, and a stronger operational platform to support both current and future programs across its armored vehicle, tactical platform, drone / UAV, and special purpose vehicle portfolios. The Charlotte facility is specially equipped for armored vehicle production and has access to an experienced workforce with direct expertise in armored vehicle manufacturing, helping accelerate operational scaling without the need to build those capabilities from the ground up.

“This expansion marks an important milestone in the continued growth of INKAS® as a North American manufacturer,” said David Khazanski, CEO of INKAS®. “By adding significant production space across Canada and the United States, we are strengthening our ability to support customers with reliable, scalable, and mission-ready security and defense solutions. This investment reflects our confidence in the long-term demand for advanced protected mobility, unmanned systems, and specialized platforms.”

The new facilities form part of INKAS®’ broader strategy to increase production capacity, improve operational resilience, and support a growing portfolio of armored, tactical, unmanned, and special-purpose solutions. With operations expanding across Toronto, Charlotte, and Fort Pierce, INKAS® is positioned to better serve domestic and international customers while supporting more efficient production, faster program execution, and future growth across key markets.

“Beyond expanding our production footprint, this investment is about creating skilled jobs, supporting local economies, and building long-term manufacturing capability in North America,” said Margarita Simkin, Chairwoman of INKAS®. “As these facilities come online, they will create opportunities for engineers, technicians, production specialists, and support teams across Canada and the United States. We believe that investing in people and manufacturing infrastructure is essential to building a stronger, more resilient security and defense industry.”

For nearly three decades, INKAS® has specialized in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of armored vehicles and advanced security solutions. The company’s portfolio includes discreet armored SUVs and sedans, tactical vehicles, armored personnel carriers, drones / UAVs, cash-in-transit vehicles, and custom-built special-purpose platforms for clients around the world.

Posted in Armoured Vehicles, Made In USA!, Manufacturing, Press Release | No Comments »

Surge Capacity: How Anduril Delivered a Month of Production in a Week

Monday, June 29th, 2026

In under a week in March 2026, Anduril delivered more than a full month’s of Pulsar production output off the shelf and directly into active operations for two U.S. government customers. These systems were immediately installed for fixed-site EW protection and aircraft survivability. While the surge was underway, Anduril was already doubling its EW production capacity — a line that once delivered 500 Pulsars per year now delivers 1000.

Anduril built Pulsar to interrogate a wider range of the electromagnetic spectrum autonomously, deploy software updates in hours rather than months, and network multiple EW systems across distributed operations to optimize coverage, locate points of interest, and deliver coordinated effects. That architecture is a force multiplier. Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have validated the approach — drone-saturation tactics in both theaters have exposed how quickly EW countermeasures need to adapt, and how rapidly traditional systems fall behind when they cannot update in the field. Electronic warfare is increasingly key to either enabling their success on the offensive, or defeating them on the defensive. Since 2022, the Pulsar family has been deployed with operational users across multiple continents in fixed-site, mounted, and airborne configurations — all variants proven in combat and updated continuously based on user feedback.

Anduril built its manufacturing infrastructure with the assumption that demand would not announce itself in advance, and that when it arrived, achieving throughput in weeks, not quarters, would be necessary. A production line that can absorb a massive surge mid-scale-up while simultaneously doubling annual output is not the kind of capacity traditionally available within the defense industrial base.

Deterrence is ultimately a production problem. Anduril will solve it by focusing on the factory.

Posted in Industry, Manufacturing, Press Release | No Comments »

GM Defense and Lockheed Martin Collaborate to Strengthen America’s Manufacturing and Defense Industrial Base

Wednesday, June 17th, 2026

Lockheed Martin, GM Defense Collaborate to Strengthen America’s Manufacturing and Defense Industrial Base

BETHESDA, Md., and DETROIT, June 16, 2026 – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and GM Defense today announced a new collaboration to strengthen America’s manufacturing and defense industrial base, facilitated by the U.S. Department of War. Working under a memorandum of understanding (MOU), Lockheed Martin and GM Defense will explore opportunities to accelerate the delivery of critical capabilities and innovation by combining Lockheed Martin’s defense production expertise with General Motors’ advanced industrial capabilities in high-rate commercial manufacturing and engineering.

The collaboration will focus on three areas: strengthening defense supply chains, advancing manufacturing and design capabilities, and evaluating opportunities to expand production capacity through commercial manufacturing expertise and infrastructure. Initial efforts will include exploring ways to accelerate production readiness and apply proven commercial manufacturing approaches to support defense production requirements.

“America’s security depends not only on developing advanced technologies, but on our ability to produce them quickly, reliably and at scale,” said Frank St. John, chief operating officer, Lockheed Martin. “This collaboration brings together two leaders in American manufacturing and innovation to explore new ways to strengthen the defense industrial base, expand production capacity and accelerate delivery of critical capabilities for the United States and its allies.”

“Working together, GM Defense and Lockheed will further strengthen American manufacturing and national defense by driving greater speed, efficiency, and innovation in the aerospace and defense sectors,” said Steve duMont, president of GM Defense. “Over the coming weeks, we will be working to identify initial projects to pursue together.”

The collaboration reflects growing demand for greater production capacity, supply chain resilience and manufacturing agility across the defense sector. By combining commercial and defense expertise, the companies aim to identify opportunities that can accelerate production timelines while maintaining the quality, performance and reliability standards required for mission-critical systems.

About Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at www.lockheedmartin.com.

About GM Defense LLC

GM Defense delivers integrated vehicles, power, and autonomy and connectivity solutions to global defense, security, and government markets. The exceptional reliability of GM Defense’s technologies results from decades of proven performance and billions of dollars spent in independent research and development by its parent, General Motors, a world leader in global design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities. For more information, please visit www.gmdefensellc.com.

Posted in Admin, Industry, Manufacturing, Press Release | Comments Off on GM Defense and Lockheed Martin Collaborate to Strengthen America’s Manufacturing and Defense Industrial Base