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Shell Shock Technologies Delivers Game-Changing Ammo Weight Reduction for Black Hawk Missions

Wednesday, June 4th, 2025

Lighter, smarter ammunition increases payload efficiency and firepower by up to 24 percent.

Eubank, KY (May 2025) – Shell Shock Technologies, LLC. (SST), a leading innovator in the ammunition industry, is proud to share new analysis demonstrating a major operational advantage for Black Hawk helicopter missions using its NAS3 casingsand lightweight ammo belt links. The data reveals that replacing traditional brass-cased ammo with SST’s innovative NAS3 casings can reduce the ammo load weight by nearly 300 lbs. – or enable U.S. and allied forces to carry thousands of additional rounds without exceeding payload limits.

According to a recently released analyst report, the standard ammo loadout for a Black Hawk helicopter includes approximately 7,000 rounds of 7.62mm and 1,200 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition. When loaded with traditional brass and standard M13 links, the combined weight is roughly 1,022 lbs. SST’s lightweight solution cuts that to 723 lbs. – a 299 lb. reduction.

“Black Hawk mission dominance begins with smarter ammunition,” said Peter Foss, Managing Director and CEO of Shell Shock Technologies. “By switching to Shell Shock Technologies’ NAS3 cases and ammo belt links, our military partners can either lighten their load by nearly 300 pounds or increase firepower by over 4,500 rounds. That kind of gain can shift the odds when seconds matter and every round counts. This isn’t theoretical, it’s operational.

In combat, weight matters. SST’s NAS3technology delivers not only dramatic reductions in ammo weight but also enhanced ballistic performance. Each round loaded in an NAS3 casing delivers eight to 10 percent more energy than those in traditional brass, giving warfighters both speed and stopping power when it matters most.

SST continues to support U.S. and allied military operations by redefining the performance standards for small arms ammunition, helping them stay lighter, move faster, and hit harder.

Keep up with Shell Tech’s advanced ammunition on the website and social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Posted in Ammo, Aviation, Press Release | 2 Comments »

Draganfly Announces Delivery of Flex FPV Systems to Major U.S. Prime Defense Contractor

Wednesday, June 4th, 2025

Tampa, Florida – June 3rd, 2025 – Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) (FSE: 3U8), an award-winning, industry-leading drone solutions and systems developer, is pleased to announce the first deliveries of its revolutionary Flex FPV (First Person View) systems under an order from a major U.S. military prime contractor supporting land systems operations for allied forces.

The Draganfly Flex FPV system is built around a modular core architecture that allows operators to seamlessly switch between different arm and propeller sizes in seconds—without specialized tools. This adaptability enables a single Flex Core to support a variety of mission profiles ranging from reconnaissance and training to tactical payload delivery.

Capable of speeds exceeding 149 Kilometres per hour, the Flex FPV is designed to support traditional FPV flight and assisted modes, including autonomous waypoint missions. With the ability to carry payloads up to 10 lbs, including via picatinny rail or custom mounts, the system delivers unmatched agility and flexibility in high-intensity environments.

“This delivery marks an important milestone for the Flex FPV platform,” said Cameron Chell, President and CEO of Draganfly. “The system was born out of our work supporting frontline operations in Ukraine and has been refined through rigorous testing by multiple defense partners. We’re incredibly proud to see it deployed by one of the world’s top defense contractors. .”

The Flex FPV was officially launched in 2024 and has since undergone evaluation by a variety of militaries and end-users across training, defense, and public safety applications. This order includes a mix of core units and modular components selected to meet the specific needs of the end user.

Draganfly continues to experience growing demand across defense and public safety sectors as organizations seek out trusted, North American-developed UAS platforms capable of adapting to the evolving realities of modern warfare.

For more information about Draganfly, visit draganfly.com.

Posted in Contracts, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Draganfly Announces Delivery of Flex FPV Systems to Major U.S. Prime Defense Contractor

HGU-56/P – The Helmet You Know and Trust, Now Better Than Ever

Wednesday, June 4th, 2025

The Gentex HGU-56/P Rotary Wing Helmet System has long been the trusted choice for rotary wing aircrew across U.S. and with allied forces. Originally developed to support the U.S. Army Air Soldier Program, it was engineered to reduce weight and bulk while maintaining industry-leading impact protection,allowing aircrew to stay protected during extended missions.

Now this battle-proven platform is better than ever. With the addition of the new SideKick™ ARC Rails and LockDown™ Liner Kit, the HGU-56/P receives a smart, user-driven refresh that enhances comfort, capability, and mission performance without changing the platform that aircrew already know and rely on.

SideKick™ ARC Rails

Built on the Ops-Core® developed ARC (Accessory Rail Connection) geometry, SideKick ARC Rails give crews a low-profile, breakaway-compatible mounting solution for accessories. Mounting closer to the helmet’s center of gravity improves weight distribution and reduces fatigue, while providing valuable rail real estate for lights, strobes, and more — all while maintaining crash safety and backward compatibility with most HGU-56/P variants.

Click the links below to learn more!

Gentex HGU-56/P Helmet Systems

SideKick ARC Rails

Flexboom Microphone

Posted in Advertiser, Aviation, Helmets, Press Release | 1 Comment »

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.

Posted in Advertiser, Industry, Press Release | Comments Off on SureFire Response to B&T Lawsuit

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.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Rheinmetall Resonant South Africa (Pty) Ltd Established

Griffin Armament Releases 3D Printed Optimus 6 Suppressors

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025

Watertown, WI – May 30th, 2025–

Griffin Armament’s history with metal printed suppressors goes back to 2008 with prototype applications. We felt the technology was neither developed nor cost-effective enough to be viable and publicly accepted for a long portion of that time. The hope of more manufacturing applications in other industries being supported and costs of equipment reducing, as well as capabilities and technology increasing, were considerable factors in waiting for the technology to mature. Griffin’s Optimus® 6 is our first printed production suppressor. The Optimus® 6 is a powder metal additive manufactured 6mm capable suppressor optimized for the 5.56mm AR-15 platform. Complex internal baffle geometries were painstakingly prototyped and tested to yield a suppressor with low system backpressure and exceptional flash reduction.

The Optimus® 6 is constructed entirely of 17-4 H900 Heat-Treated Stainless Steel, and is available in three mounting variations: DUAL-LOK®, Griffin Taper Mount, and an industry-standard HUB (1.375×24 TPI) interface for use with HUB mount adapters. The printed baffle stack is welded to a machined rear housing that bears the serial number making warranty and repair work performable without the need to resubmit the lengthy Form 4 process for a new serial number. This is a problem with fully printed cans that hasn’t been adequately addressed in the market. A 1.73” outer diameter was chosen to allow increased internal volume – contributing to its sub-140 dB SPL.

Flash reduction is often seen as more important than sound reduction for military and LE applications, but both categories tend to suffer when creating suppressors with very low-restrictive baffling. The Optimus® 6 endcap was developed to address the inherent increase in flash signature coupled with LBP suppressors. This unique quad-prong end cap features complex internal and external flash-hiding geometries to bring highly competitive flash suppression to the LBP suppressor market. The Optimus® 6 is a thoughtful combination of traditional and new technologies yielding a low backpressure suppressor that is easily repairable, highly durable, at a reasonable weight, while exhibiting top of the line sound and flash reduction at a lower price than many other printed suppressors on the market.

“Making suppressors that have good acoustic performance, with a high quality to cost ratio has been important to Griffin over our 20 years in industry. We’ve seen the demand grow over the past number of years for suppressors that run more transparently to the firearm they are attached to- minimizing backpressure being one of the ideal solutions. Additive manufacturing has advantages and disadvantages that vary depending on the process. In some aspects, it improves the ease with which a geometry is created, and in others, there are limitations like low overhang angles that are impossible depending on the method used. We are happy to introduce the Optimus 6 to market, and to begin using additive manufacturing for some of our suppressor designs. The Optimus 6 is one of the most-performing 5.56mm cans I have used. One of the first customers to see the suppressor was a Law Enforcement department that liked the suppressor enough to place a large pre-order. Several of the people who I work with at Griffin were impressed with the suppressor and made the decision to make it their free suppressor for 2025, as one of our employee benefits is a free suppressor every year an employee completes with the company, if the employee wishes to take advantage of that benefit.”

– Austin, Lead Design Engineer, Griffin Armament

Key Points:

Low Backpressure – Rated up to 6mm ARC

Additive Manufactured Baffle Stack, End Cap, and Tube Body

Machined Mounting Interface and external diameter

Full 17-4PH Heat-Treated Stainless Steel Construction

High-Temp Cerakote Finish (Black or FDE Available)

Choice of Mounting System: DUAL-LOK®, Taper Mount, or HUB

Full Auto Rated (60 rounds then allow to cool to ambient temperature)

High-Flow FlashKiller End Cap Provides Exceptional Flash Reduction

Perpetual Lifetime Warranty™

Specs:

Diameter: 1.73”

Mounting System: DUAL-LOK®, Taper Mount, or HUB (1.375×24 TPI)

Overall Length: 6.02” (HUB) | 6.68” (DUAL-LOK®) | 6.59” (Taper Mount)

Weight: 15.2 oz (HUB) | 17.2 oz (DUAL-LOK®) | 16.5 oz (Taper Mount)

MSRP: $699.95 (HUB) | $869.95 (DUAL-LOK®) | $809.95 (Taper Mount)

To find out more on Griffin Armament’s entire product line, please visit our website at www.GriffinArmament.com.

Posted in Press Release, Suppressors | Comments Off on Griffin Armament Releases 3D Printed Optimus 6 Suppressors

Introducing the Gentex LX9 Liner System, An Affordable, Drop-In Liner Upgrade for US Military Combat Helmets

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025

CARBONDALE, PA, June 03, 2025 – Gentex Corporation is pleased to announce the Gentex LX9 Liner System, available now. This drop-in replacement liner is compatible with a broad range of commonly used ground combat helmets and is optimized for comfort and stability in a lightweight package. As part of its adoption, Gentex will deliver over 18,000 systems tothe US Army for use in the NG-IHPS helmet system in 2025.

“Our LX9 Liner System gives users a lightweight, high-performance upgrade to instantly increase in-use comfort,” said Kevin Reilly, Segment Director of Close Combat at Gentex Corporation. “The customizable and configurable design allows for the end user to tailor the fit to maximize airflow and reduce hotspots.”

The system is designed to provide unmatched comfort for ground combat helmets, including ACH, ECH, and NG-IHPS models. Featuring advanced breathability and absorbency, itincludes a 9-piece EPP and comfort foam pad set, which includes a redesigned brow pad for added stability. It’scustomizable, one-size-fits-all design allows for easy adjustments using existing hook-and-loop mounting locations in the helmet shell. This enhances airflow, reduces hot spotscommonly found in today’s standard issue 7-pad system, and better accommodates headband-mounted communication systems. Lightweight, durable, and adaptable, it ensures optimal fit and comfort for users in demanding environments.

At under 66 grams, the LX9 Liner System is the lightest lineroption on the market today, reducing overall head system weightwhile maintaining needed impact protection. It has been developed to provide impact protection exceeding AR/PD 10-02 in a wide variety of common helmets.

For more information or to place your order for the Gentex LX9 Liner System visit shop.gentexcorp.com/lx9-liner-system.

Posted in Advertiser, Helmets, Press Release | Comments Off on Introducing the Gentex LX9 Liner System, An Affordable, Drop-In Liner Upgrade for US Military Combat Helmets

$20M DIU “Project GI” Challenge Will Help Services Test and Scale Next-Generation UAS Solutions Across Domains

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025

Challenge to focus on three key missions and their related specific operational constraints as identified by operators

Washington, DC (June 2, 2025) – Emerging threats from peer and near-peer uncrewed systems (UxS) have reshaped the character of war, necessitating the development of new solutions at a faster pace. Warfighters require UxS systems today to meet urgent operational needs. The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is using a new and agile process to evaluate new technologies, involve warfighters early in development, and advance the prototyping, iterating and fielding of technologies that can deliver operational advantage at speed.

Project G.I. will more rapidly identify, assess, iterate and then integrate “ready now” autonomous solutions at scale for participating units. Platforms of interest include Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and supporting items.

“Today, warfighters lack the unmanned systems needed to train for combat and prevail if called upon to use them,” said Doug Beck, director of DIU. “DIU is laser focused on getting best-of-breed technology in the hands of the warfighter today and scaling it for training,adoption, and readiness. Our team continues to partner with military operators for hands on testing, evaluation, and feedback. Doing this at speed will in turn help catalyze the necessary scaling and readiness through major acquisition and training efforts across the Services that will deliver strategic impact – and will simultaneously support the flywheel of American private sector dynamism in delivering against that strategic need.”

Project G.I. improves upon current programs of record by incorporating end-user feedback and slashing delivery timelines that can stretch years into the future. The effort will tap into high Technical Readiness Level (TRL) solutions in the small and medium uncrewed system industry, with a focus on less exquisite platforms well suited for rapid adaptation to military needs.

Project G.I. is open for submissions now through December 31, 2025. Submissions should feature mature, mission-ready capabilities that can participate in live evaluations within three months of this solicitation’s release. A prize funding pool of $20M will be awarded across the three Design Reference Missions (DRM’s) noted in the full Challenge details, pending Congressional notification.

An “Ask Me Anything” webinar will be held to interested participants on June 17, 2025 from 2-3pm ET.

Learn more and apply here.

Posted in Contracts, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on $20M DIU “Project GI” Challenge Will Help Services Test and Scale Next-Generation UAS Solutions Across Domains