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L3HARRIS Demonstrates Autonomous Electronic Warfare Capability During US Army Experiment

Saturday, April 18th, 2026

MELBOURNE, Fla., April 14, 2026 — L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) successfully demonstrated an advanced autonomous electronic warfare (EW) capability during a recent U.S. Army experiment, showcasing its ability to detect, locate and neutralize threats in real time.

The demonstration featured the compact, software-defined Deceptor™ EW payload deployed on multiple unmanned aerial systems. Operating within the Distributed Spectrum Collaboration and Operations (DiSCO™) ecosystem, the Deceptor system enabled coordinated, AI-enabled sensing and effects across the battlespace. The integrated system also detected and geolocated radio frequency (RF) threats, fused data from multiple sensors in real time, and executed RF jamming to neutralize those threats.

“Electronic warfare is uniquely suited for autonomy, where speed and scale in the RF spectrum are decisive,” said Lauren Barnes, President, Spectrum Superiority, Communications & Spectrum Dominance, L3Harris. “Our work is focused on delivering autonomous EW capabilities that reduce operator burden while increasing operational advantage.”

Deceptor leverages commercial off-the-shelf hardware to enable rapid integration across unmanned air, ground and maritime platforms through a modular, open-system design. The small form factor design meets the size, weight, power and cost requirements of modern distributed systems, which enables deployment at scale across thousands of unmanned platforms to deliver distributed EW effects.

L3Harris continues to build on more than a decade of investment in compact EW technologies. Upcoming demonstrations will further integrate Deceptor with other EW solutions to deliver coordinated effects across multiple domains and platforms.

Posted in EW, Press Release | No Comments »

US Army Strengthens Gray Eagle With New ELINT Upgrade

Friday, April 17th, 2026

SAN DIEGO – 15 April 2026 – The U.S. Army is upgrading its MQ-1C Gray Eagle® Extended Range (ER) with enhanced electronic intelligence capabilities via a contract awarded to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). ELINT supports long-range sensing for the Integrated Air Defense System (IADS), providing critical information to ground commanders. This capability allows Gray Eagles to operate outside threat ranges while looking deeply into the battlespace and enables advanced manned-unmanned teaming to increase survivability for crewed Army aircraft.

“Combining long-range detection with the range and persistence of the Gray Eagle platforms ensures that commanders always know when an adversary IADS is operating,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “Gray Eagle’s open systems architecture makes this a simple but impactful upgrade.”

The ELINT sensor identifies and geo-locates critical threats vital to Joint Force Operations. To further enhance the Gray Eagle ERs electronic support capabilities, GA-ASI, along with Capability Program Executive Intelligence and Spectrum Warfare, will partner with SNC to integrate advanced radar detection and signal collection technology.

In addition to ELINT, the Gray Eagle ER has also been configured with modernized Communications Intelligence (COMINT), Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator (SAR/MTI), and Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) radios in multiple Army demonstrations, highlighting the platform’s C5ISR Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) architecture. The aircraft also supports the integration of best-of-breed sensors, payloads, and weapons to rapidly adapt to threats or specific missions.

Gray Eagle ER was featured in the U.S. Army’s Project Convergence Capstone-5 (PCC-5) last year. The multi-mission, multi-sensor Gray Eagle ER performed persistent Detect, Identify, Locate, and Report (DILR) missions in an electronically contested environment, simultaneously providing mesh network aerial tier support to maneuver units and connecting the soldiers and launched effects that might otherwise be obstructed by terrain or be out of range.

PCC-5 demonstrated Gray Eagle ER’s ability to transform contact, fight, and survive capabilities, automating operator input with easy-to-use human-machine interfaces. Resilient to jamming while integrating and cross-cuing ELINT, COMINT, SAR, and Aerial Tier Network Expansion (ATNE), Gray Eagle ER enhanced the survivability of the maneuver forces while supporting the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF).

Posted in Press Release, Sensors, UAS | No Comments »

NRAAM 26 – UNITY Tactical Expands FAST Line With FAST FTC Holosun

Friday, April 17th, 2026

Newest FTC Mount Provides Purpose-Built Solution for Maximum Clarity with Holosun MagnifiersBROUSSARD, LA. (April 17, 2026) – UNITY Tactical, a designer of components that integrate tactical systems and optimize the human factor, announced today the launch of its fourth FTC (flip-to-center) mount, the FAST FTC Holosun, at NRAAM 2026.

The FAST FTC Holosun is a purpose-built mount designed to bring the unique footprint of Holosun magnifiers into the FAST ecosystem. Specifically engineered for the HM3X and HM3XT magnifiers, it provides optimal alignment for a cleaner sight picture when paired with a red dot mounted at the established FAST height of 2.26” to the optical centerline.

While these Holosun magnifiers are also compatible with UNITY’s FAST FTC OMNI, the FAST FTC Holosun offers a specialized solution that expands the ecosystem of compatible optics. When pairing the HM3X or HM3XT with certain red dots—such as the Holosun 403 or 503 series on a FAST Micro—the OMNI’s versatile design can lead to a slight occlusion of the lower sight picture. The FAST FTC Holosun is purpose-built to eliminate this overlap, ensuring a true, unobstructed sight picture across these specific configurations.

The mount incorporates UNITY’s patented Flip-to-Center (FTC) technology to stow the magnifier securely below the sight plane and within the footprint of the weapon’s receiver, eliminating the snag hazards associated with traditional legacy flip-to-side designs. A force-to-overcome mechanism allows for rapid transition, moving the magnifier out of the way when not in use.

The FAST FTC Holosun also features UNITY’s integrated, low-profile FAST QD Lever for quick attachment and removal without compromising stability. Machined from 7075-T6 aluminum with a Type III hard coat anodized finish, the mount is available in both Black and Flat Dark Earth (FDE) and includes a lifetime warranty.

The FAST FTC Holosun retails for $293 and is available for purchase now through authorized UNITY dealers and on unitytactical.com. The FAST FTC Holosum is on display for the first time at the UNITY Tactical booth #1025 at NRAAM in Houston April 17-19.

Posted in Advertiser, NRA, Optics, Press Release, Weapon Accessories | No Comments »

US Army Selects Vector AI for Brigade Combat Teams

Friday, April 17th, 2026

Quantum Systems’ Vector AI will support U.S. Army modernization and future Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) capabilities for Brigade Combat Teams

Moorpark, California (USA), April 15, 2026 – Quantum Systems Inc., the US entity of Quantum Systems, today announced that Vector AI has been selected for the U.S. Army’s Company-Level sUAS Directed Requirement (DR) 2 initiative under a contract valued at $15.3 million. Vector AI will accelerate the delivery of advanced aerial intelligence capabilities to Brigade Combat Teams of the U.S. Army.

The effort is a key component of the Army’s modernization strategy to rapidly field commercially available unmanned systems to Soldiers while informing the development of its future Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) program, which will define the next generation of tactical unmanned aircraft systems for maneuver units.

Vector AI was selected following a competitive evaluation process that assessed aircraft performance, payload integration, and interoperability with emerging Army software architectures. The program reflects the Army’s push to rapidly field operationally proven, commercially available systems that can evolve alongside future requirements while delivering immediate operational capability to forces at the tactical edge.

“Today’s battlefield demands unmanned systems that are adaptable, resilient, and proven in real-world operations,” said Dave Sharpin, CEO of Quantum-Systems Inc. “The Vector platform has logged more than 20,000 operational flight hours in Ukraine alone where operational use has helped refine its autonomy and mission adaptability in contested environments. Its modular architecture and open integration approach align directly with the Army’s push toward interoperable, rapidly evolving capabilities.”

Vector AI delivers real-time tactical intelligence to maneuver forces through an electric vertical take-off and landing design that combines runway-independent launch and recovery with the endurance and efficiency of fixed-wing flight. Deployable by a single operator in under five minutes, the compact system supports reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition through AI-enabled mission planning, advanced electro-optical sensing, and vision-based targeting.

Designed for contested environments, Vector AI incorporates anti-jamming features and a multi-layered GPS denied navigation stack to support visual navigation and precision targeting functionalities that work completely independently from GPS. Its modular, open architecture enables rapid payload integration and interoperability with external systems such as TAK and other battlefield management systems, enabling units to detect, track, and develop targets while maintaining situational awareness across the operational area.

Posted in AI / ML, Army, Contracts, Press Release | No Comments »

Sapient Perception Secures €2M to Advance 10K Sensor Systems for Mission-Critical UAV Operations

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

Software-defined cameras and AI framework expands drone coverage 100x, with deployments planned for frontline operations in Ukraine and other contested environments

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, April 14, 2026 — Sapient Perception ApS, which builds physical AI sensor systems for UAVs, has raised a €2M pre-seed round co-led by Balnord and FORWARD.one. The Danish startup will utilize the capital to accelerate development of the company’s software-defined cameras and AI framework that enable mission-critical decision-making and autonomy through large area perception. The round will also assist in growing its engineering team, and supporting initial deployments with customers across the defense, security, and emergency response industries.

Founded by Anthony Garetto (CEO), Lau Norgaard (CTO), and Michael Messerschmidt (CBO), Sapient Perception is focused on solving a fundamental visibility challenge in modern UAV operations. Drones capture more images and data than ever, but bandwidth limitations force a tradeoff between imaging coverage and resolution. Operators are constantly switching views to compensate.

Sapient addresses this problem with first-of-its-kind 10K sensors that cover up to 100 times larger areas than conventional sensors at the same detailed resolution in a single frame. Meanwhile, its novel edge processing pipeline enables actionable insights from enhanced imaging to be delivered onboard in real-time with whatever AI models are preferred by operators. By overcoming constraints related to bandwidth, latency, and human cognitive overload, Sapient Perception unlocks autonomous operational capabilities that were previously inaccessible in time-critical environments.

“In mission-critical situations, the ability to make fast, informed decisions determines outcomes,” said Anthony Garetto, CEO and co-founder of Sapient Perception. “Our perception layer enables persistent situational awareness through a far wider lens, while delivering the important details to operators in real time. Having this whole picture means decisive action can be taken faster and with a higher level of confidence.”

The company is already working with Dropla Tech to integrate Sapient’s large area perception sensors into UAVs designed to fly low and ahead of military convoys. Sapient’s imaging will feed into Dropla Tech’s Blue Eyes platform, which is being used today by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence to process real-time drone video to detect ambush drones and landmines along supply routes near Ukraine’s front lines. Sapient is also working with partners deploying its sensors on high-altitude platforms, including stratospheric systems for wide-area ISR, highlighting the flexibility of its perception layer to customers, system integrators, and industrial partners across Europe and North America.

The investment from Balnord and FORWARD.one reflects growing demand for edge-based intelligence as operational complexity and the criticality of advanced sensors increase across defense and security domains.

“Modern defense and security operations are not taking advantage of the most advanced sensors and the vast data they generate,” said Jarek Pilarczyk, Partner at Balnord. “Sapient Perception addresses this challenge with a highly differentiated edge AI approach that we believe will become foundational to next-generation systems.”

“In the environments Sapient Perception serves, every second matters. Their technology turns high-quality sensor data into real-time insights at the edge, enabling 100× greater coverage than today’s systems. It’s a clear step change — built by a team that knows how to move fast and deliver,” added Cailin Greiner, Investment Manager at FORWARD.one.

Posted in AI / ML, Drone, International, Press Release, Sensors | No Comments »

US Army Best Ranger Competition Integrates Live Drone Threats in Historic First, Selects Powerus’ Tandem Defense Matrix-T for Targets

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

Elite 75th Ranger Regiment teams train against real one-way attack drone threats using Powerus-backed Matrix-T platforms

Powerus recently announced a proposed merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: AGH), positioning Powerus to become publicly traded upon completion

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. and FORT MOORE, Ga., April 15, 2026 — The battlefield has changed, and now, so has the U.S. Army’s toughest competition.

Powerus, through its wholly owned subsidiary Tandem Defense LLC, today announced that the Matrix-Ttarget drone was selected and successfully fielded for the inaugural “Last Line of Defense” training lane at the 42nd Annual U.S. Army David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition (April 10-12, 2026).

This marked the first time live FPV drones were integrated into the competition, introducing a new “Last Line of Defense” scored training lane in which elite Army Ranger teams were forced to detect, track, and destroy fast-moving aerial targets with direct fire from their service rifles. The addition of FPV target drones gave America’s premier Rangers realistic, high-fidelity training against modern one-way attack-drone threats, using an American-made FPV solution from Powerus.

The Matrix-T is a purpose-built small FPV target drone engineered specifically for U.S. military counter-drone training. It accurately replicates the speed, agility, and flight behavior of operational enemy FPV systems, mirroring modern battlefield warfare, and allowing U.S. troops to practice defeating dynamic aerial threats with service rifles when electronic warfare layers are degraded or unavailable. With top speeds up to 130 mph and 2 kg payload capacity, the Matrix-T delivers authentic threat emulation in a rugged, repairable, low-cost package.

Elite Validation and Proven Performance Under Extreme Conditions

The Best Ranger Competition is one of the most demanding tests of soldier performance in the U.S. Army. This year’s winners from the 75th Ranger Regiment demonstrated exceptional adaptability and precision under pressure.

Powerus and Tandem Defense supplied multiple Matrix-T drones to support approximately 40 elite Ranger teams. Only five drones were expended across the entire high-intensity event and rehearsals. Leveraging the innovative solder-free Matrix Architecture (developed by Tandem Defense), downed drones were rapidly diagnosed, repaired, and returned to flight using only a single screwdriver. This field repairability reduces the average cost-per-engagement for U.S. soldiers’ training, offering a dramatically more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to disposable foreign systems.

The Matrix T performance underscores a critical reality: success on tomorrow’s battlefield will depend on the ability to counter drone threats at the individual soldier level.

Advancing American Military Readiness

By integrating the Matrix-T, the Best Ranger Competition set a new standard for counter-UAS training: shifting from static targets to fast-moving, realistic aerial threats that mirror those faced on today’s battlefields. Selecting a domestic, repairable platform reduces reliance on foreign supply chains and empowers soldiers to maintain their own training assets with minimal logistics support. The Matrix-T drones delivered realistic threat profiles, including: High-speed FPV attack runs, unpredictable maneuvering, and real-world engagement distances.

This forced competitors to adapt in real time, just as they would when layered counter-UAS defenses fail, and the individual soldier becomes the final line of defense.

“Matrix-T gives soldiers a low-cost way to train for the real fight,” said Brett Velicovich, founder of Powerus. “If you’re not training against realistic FPV drone threats, you’re not ready for today’s battlefield.”

Powerus congratulates the winners of the 2026 Best Ranger Competition: Sgt. Drew Schorsch and Spc. Caleb Godbold from the 75th Ranger Regiment. Their triumph, which is the Regiment’s sixth consecutive victory, exemplifies the skill and adaptability of America’s elite light infantry. The strong performance across all teams in the new drone defense lane further demonstrates the growing importance of realistic, hands-on counter-drone training.

Availability

The Matrix-T target drones are available for immediate purchase and ready to ship to U.S. military and allied units building or expanding counter-drone training programs. Units receive preprogrammed and pre-tuned systems, providing a reliable, fully domestic, and highly maintainable solution for preparing warfighters against proliferating one-way attack drones. Learn more at www.power.us or www.tandemdefense.com.

About Powerus
Powerus builds and scales unified autonomous systems architecture designed to move, protect, and sustain critical assets in high-risk environments. The company is building next-generation autonomous drone infrastructure and technologies for defense and critical infrastructure, positioning Powerus to support the rapidly expanding global demand for AI-enabled autonomy, defense systems, and modern battlefield capabilities. Production is scaled through U.S.-based manufacturing and strategic partners to support mission requirements. For more information, visit www.power.us.

Posted in Army, Drone, Press Release | No Comments »

Introducing the Legionary 22: A Lightweight .22LR Suppressor

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

Built for Practical Performance

The Legionary 22 is the newest rimfire suppressor from Warrior Systems Manufacturing. Designed specifically for .22 LR platforms, it focuses on what most shooters actually care about: low weight, effective sound reduction, simple maintenance, and long-term durability.

Designed for .22 LR Platforms

The Legionary 22 is purpose-built for rimfire rifles and pistols. Instead of adapting a larger suppressor design, this model was engineered specifically around the performance and size requirements of .22 LR firearms.

The result is a suppressor that stays compact, performs consistently, and doesn’t add unnecessary weight to lightweight rimfire setups.

Lightweight and Compact

Weight and balance matter on a rimfire platform. The Legionary 22 weighs just 3.5 ounces and features a 1-inch diameter, making it well-suited for both rifles and pistols without affecting handling.

The body is constructed from 6061-T6 aluminum and finished with a Type III hardcoat anodized black treatment for strength, corrosion resistance, and long-term wear durability.

Effective Sound Reduction

The Legionary 22 reduces sound levels to approximately 114.10 decibels, providing a noticeable reduction compared to unsuppressed rimfire shooting.

This makes it a practical option for:

Rimfire target shooting
Small-game hunting
Training with .22 LR platforms
Low-noise shooting environments

The goal was straightforward: effective suppression without unnecessary bulk or complexity.Built for Easy Maintenance Rimfire suppressors require regular cleaning due to heavy fouling. The Legionary 22 is designed to make maintenance simple and predictable.

The baffle stack is not timed, which allows the suppressor to be disassembled and cleaned without worrying about alignment during reassembly. This makes routine maintenance faster and more straightforward—especially for high?volume rimfire shooters.

Cleaning is recommended after approximately 300 rounds to maintain consistent performance over time. The suppressor ships with everything needed for installation and basic maintenance, including:

Direct thread end cap
1/2×28 thread compatibility
7/8 wrench
Instruction manual

Specifications

Caliber: .22 LR
Weight: 3.5 oz
Diameter: 1 inch
Material: 6061-T6 aluminum
Finish: Type III hardcoat anodized black
Thread Pitch: 1/2×28
Included: Suppressor, direct thread end cap, 7/8 wrench, instruction manual

New Arrival

The Legionary 22 is now available with an MSRP of $189.99.

For shooters looking for a lightweight, purpose-built rimfire suppressor that focuses on performance rather than unnecessary features, the Legionary 22 delivers exactly what it was designed to do.

Posted in Press Release, Suppressors | No Comments »

AV Introduces MAYHEM 10: Multi-Role Launched Effects System at AAAA 2026

Thursday, April 16th, 2026

ARLINGTON, Va. — April 15, 2026 — AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced the debut of MAYHEM 10, a groundbreaking, multi-role launched effects system purpose-built for deployment from air, ground, and maritime platforms.

MAYHEM 10 is an autonomous, multi-role launched effects system that delivers significant operational versatility with a modular payload that supports interchangeable lethal and non-lethal effects—including intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, communications relay, and precision strike—tailored to specific mission requirements and adaptable as operational conditions change.

“MAYHEM 10 sets a new standard for operational versatility and survivability on the modern battlefield,” said Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at AV. “By integrating advanced autonomy, multi-domain payloads, and rapid adaptability, we empower our forces to sense, disrupt, and strike with precision—even in the most contested environments. This breakthrough allows commanders to extend their reach, accelerate decision-making, and maintain superiority without putting crews or high-value assets at unnecessary risk.”

Developed on the heritage of AV’s Switchblade® family and designed for demanding, contested environments, MAYHEM 10 boasts a 10-pound (4.5 kg) payload capacity, up to 100 km operational range, 50 minutes of endurance, and readiness for assembly and launch in less than five minutes.

Built using a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), the system supports seamless upgrades, third-party payload integration, and unified control through AV’s Tomahawk Grip controller and AV_Halo™ COMMAND interface, empowering networked, distributed, and scalable employment alone or in collaborative swarms to execute multiple effects in parallel and adapt quickly to evolving threats and mission needs.

“MAYHEM 10 changes how forces generate combat power by enabling collaborative swarm operations at scale,” said Brian Young, Senior Vice President of Loitering Munitions at AV. “Operators can employ multiple systems to work collaboratively—expanding coverage, overwhelming defenses, and executing synchronized effects across the battlespace—without increasing platform risk or force concentration.”

MAYHEM 10 features a removeable forward modular payload for rapid integration of third-party payloads to enhance mission flexibility. Its self-contained launcher supports flexible deployment across dismounted, mobile ground, air-mounted and vehicle-mounted operations.

Advanced autonomy is powered by an AI-driven processor and enables effective operations in contested and denied environments, with resilience to jamming, spoofing, and navigation-denied conditions. Secure navigation and communication are facilitated by M-Code GPS and Silvus datalink, while a MANET secure mesh network ensures robust command-and-control links with a 25-40 km link range.

Key features of the MAYHEM 10.

Multi-Platform Extended Standoff: Deployable from air, ground, and maritime platforms, MAYHEM 10 extends host-platform standoff by enabling threat detection and engagement at range—pushing sensing and effects 100+ km forward while reducing risk to crews and high-value assets.

One System, Multiple Effects: A single MAYHEM 10 supports configurations for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare/disruption, deception/decoy, communications relay, and precision strike with up to 10 lbs of tailorable nonlethal or lethal payloads—without changing launch concepts.

Scalable, Coordinated Effects: Employ MAYHEM 10 individually or in collaborative swarms to expand coverage, overwhelm or confuse defenses, and execute multiple effects in parallel—without concentrating forces or crewed platforms.

Autonomy for Contested Environments: AI-enabled autonomy allows MAYHEM 10 to maintain mission effectiveness through jamming, spoofing, degraded communications, and denied navigation, reducing reliance on continuous operator control and operator burden.

Built to Adapt and Evolve: A Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA)-based, interoperable architecture enables rapid payload integration, autonomy upgrades, and system employment keeping MAYHEM 10 aligned with evolving threats, networks, and priorities.

Posted in Drone, Press Release | No Comments »