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NP Aerospace’s Production line Kicks into Gear to Deliver Remaining Light Tactical Transport Vehicles to BeMOD

Friday, April 3rd, 2026

NP Aerospace, the global vehicle integrator and armour manufacturer, has announced that the production line to deliver the remaining 87 Light Tactical Transport Vehicles (LTTV) to the Belgium MOD (BeMOD) is now fully operational and accelerating at pace. Following the pre-production proof of process and quality deliveries, the first significant full-production batch was accepted by the customer in February, which will now be followed by the delivery of all 87 vehicles by the end of 2026.

The original LTTV programme was to deliver 199 of the Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG based vehicles to the BeMOD. In September 2024 NP announced the receipt of a contract to deliver the remaining 87 vehicles, the contract having been novated, following NP Aerospace’s acquisition of certain assets of Jankel Armouring Limited, announced on 10 June 2024. As well as the production of new LTTV vehicles, contractual discussions also included lifetime in-service support to the LTTV vehicle fleet for which NP Aerospace will use its proven Vehicle Systems, Services and Spares business unit to deliver.

In establishing the full production capability, NP Aerospace has adopted a fresh approach, with operations being centered in their Coventry facilities. As was agreed with the customer, a particular emphasis has been placed upon working to the required quality standards and timescales. Using NP Aerospace’s fully established vehicle related, UK-based supply chain, the team has employed proven best practices to develop a production programme that meets and where possible, exceeds customer expectations. Having taken time to get this right, NP Aerospace is now confident that all inherited programme challenges have been addressed, and the pace of production can now be accelerated, to successfully deliver the remaining vehicles to BeMOD.

The LTTV vehicle was designed to provide a modular and configurable tactical support vehicle that benefits from unique, removable mission modules that enable the vehicle to be re-configured rapidly for operational platform versatility. With a payload of over 3 tonnes, dependent on the final vehicle specification, the LTTV has 3 core variants for Special Operations support, including an ambulance variant. Alongside a user-configurable, fully integrated suite of military sub-systems that includes a removable ballistic protection kit, a Roll-Over-Protection-System (ROPS), weapon mounts and communications fit.

David Petheram, NP Aerospace VSSS Managing Director commented: “Following on from the receipt of the LTTV contract from BeMOD in 2024, we’re pleased to be able to announce that we’ve successfully worked through all of the challenges of re-starting this disrupted programme, in close collaboration with our customer. Our production line is established and is now kicking into gear, upon strong foundations, to enable the rate to be accelerated from this point forward.” He added: “Now we’re fully up and running and delivering vehicles, this is great news for NP Aerospace and our customer, also for our UK supply chain and for Coventry as we continue to create and/or sustain high skilled jobs in the region and across our supplier partnerships.”

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US Government Awards Contract to Global Military Products to Manage the Army’s Quad Cities Cartridge Case Facility at Rock Island Arsenal

Friday, April 3rd, 2026

TAMPA, FL – (April 1, 2026) – The U.S. Government has awarded a four-year contract to Global Military Products to take over facility management and new product development of the Army’s Quad Cities Cartridge Case Facility (QCCCF) at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill. The change in operation management will help boost predictable and sustainable workload at the facility, while expanding on the skilled workforce, equipment and production capacity critical to the nation’s defense industrial base.

“The Army’s Rock Island Arsenal has been in operation for more than a century to keep our country lethal and ready, with the Quad Cities Cartridge Case Facility focused on production of brass and steel cartridges,” said Jeff Brunozzi, president, Global Ordnance Holdings, LLC. “Under this agreement, we will leverage the facility’s capacity and employees’ capabilities to better serve the U.S. and its allies by expanding current cartridge case production and establishing a Mortar Barrel Production Center of Excellence.”

The 180,000 square-foot QCCCF has deep-drawn forging technology that produces brass and steel cartridge cases, ranging from 40mm through 155mm. In addition to managing the current workload, Global Military Products will look to add production of additional cartridge cases in support of its contracts for both U.S. and non-NATO cartridge cases. This effort leverages the facility’s existing and underutilized manufacturing tooling assets, equipment and workforce while replenishing critical cartridge case inventories for the U.S. and partner-nation demand.

Global Military Products will also establish a domestic Mortar Barrel Production Center of Excellence within the QCCCF in partnership with Ellwood National Forge (ENF). Establishing a second source, solely U.S.-based production capability mitigates risk, improves readiness, strengthens supply chain resilience and aligns with government priorities for expanding critical munitions manufacturing under the U.S. Industrial Base Modernization Strategy. QCCCF will remain a government-owned facility, creating a reliable, scalable and domestic source for critical mortar components and reducing supply chain vulnerability for U.S. and allied forces.

“By integrating mortar barrel production into QCCCF’s expansive and well-structured manufacturing layout, we will create a second-source domestic capability for 81mm and 120mm mortar systems,” said James Knight, Director of Business Development, Global Military Products. “Our approach will both enhance the facility’s operational versatility and transform its unused capacity into a strategically relevant manufacturing node for critical mortar barrels.”

The teams at Global Military Products and ENF leading this effort have extensive experience with modernization efforts and plant management, including leading and supporting modernization efforts at Scranton Army Ammunition Plant (SCAAP), Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP) and Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP). These efforts were planned and sequenced to minimize production impact, reduce technical risk, and maintain compliance with Army safety and quality standards.

As part of the ELLWOOD Group, ENF has drawn on the vertically integrated capability to design, melt, remelt and forge steel ingots to ensure consistent supply of high-quality cannon and artillery barrels and component forgings ranging from 81–155mm for the past 40 years. This long production experience has enabled ENF to fully develop, mature, and continuously improve its manufacturing and quality processes. ENF’s technical expertise, customer service orientation and breadth of offerings is a demonstrated capability for achieving effective results at QCCCF.

The four-year Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract is firm-fixed price. The contract value is not being disclosed.

Photos by Dori Whipple, Joint Munitions Command

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UF PRO and Lindnerhof to Exhibit at TTPOA 2026

Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

KOMENDA, SLOVENIA / LENGGRIES, GERMANY (25 March 2026)

UF PRO and Lindnerhof will exhibit at the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association (TTPOA) Conference 2026, taking place from 22–26 April in Round Rock, Texas, with both brands present at the exhibition on 23–24 April. The event is one of the key gatherings for tactical law enforcement professionals in the United States, bringing together SWAT teams, special operations units, and training professionals for a week of training, education, and equipment evaluation.

This year, UF PRO and Lindnerhof will present their latest tactical clothing and load-carrying solutions, with a focus on systems designed for real operational environments. The UF PRO USA and Lindnerhof USA teams will be on site during the exhibition days, presenting the systems on display and discussing operational requirements and real-world use cases directly with professional users.

At TTPOA 2026, UF PRO will present a selection of tactical clothing designed for operational use across a wide range of environments and mission profiles. On display will be the Striker XT Gen.3 BDU and Striker TT BDU, the P-40 All-Terrain Gen.2 Pants, and the Delta Eagle Gen.3 Softshell Jacket.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to try on a range of insulation and weather protection systems, including the AcE Winter Gen.2 Combat Shirt, AcE Plus Gen.3 Tactical Winter Jacket, Monsoon XT Gen.2 Jacket, Delta OL 4.0 Winter Jacket, Hunter Jacket, and Storm Chaser Jacket.

In addition, UF PRO will showcase accessories including the Striker Gen.2 Base Cap and the Striker Gen.3 Boonie Hat.

Lindnerhof will present modular load-carrying systems and specialized mission setups, including abseiling and parachuting configurations, weapon retention solutions for airborne operations, landing pack systems, and modular load carriers.

The booth setup will include mission-specific configurations such as a Shikari and abseiling setup with Quick Drop belt, a Multicam setup, and additional equipment including weapon retention systems for parachuting operations and load-carriage solutions designed for specialized tactical tasks.

TTPOA is known for its hands-on environment, where equipment is evaluated in a practical context and discussed directly with professional users. Visitors will be able to explore the systems on display, try selected UF PRO products, and learn more about Lindnerhof load-carriage solutions and mission-specific configurations.

Both brands continue to work closely with professional users to develop equipment that performs in demanding operational environments, and TTPOA remains an important platform for direct exchange with the U.S. law enforcement community.

Posted in Advertiser, LE, Press Release, Tradeshow | Comments Off on UF PRO and Lindnerhof to Exhibit at TTPOA 2026

Fortastra Expands Leadership Team to Accelerate Development of Mission-Ready Space Systems

Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

Industry Veterans from Relativity Space, Hermeus, Astrion and Divergent Join to Elevate Engineering, Product, and Organizational Growth

LOS ANGELES, CA., — April 2, 2026 — FortastraCorporation, a developer of advanced space systems supporting national security and commercial missions, today announced the appointment of Josh Jetter, Sahil Desai and Arnold Nowinski to its leadership team. These new hires strengthen Fortastra’s engineering, product, and organizational capabilities as the company continues scaling to support modern space infrastructure operations.

Josh Jetter will take on the role of Chief Technology Officer at Fortastra, where he will spearhead the company’s engineering organization across design, manufacturing, integration and operations. Jetter brings top-level experience building advanced aerospace systems across both startup and traditional ecosystems. Previously, he served as Senior Director of Avionics Engineering and Manufacturing at Relativity Space, and as Director of Engineering at Impossible Aerospace. Earlier, he held engineering leadership roles at Momentus Space, contributed to hardware development for Starlink at SpaceX, and supported multiple space systems programs at Sandia National Laboratories. At Fortastra, Jetter will work closely with customers to align product roadmaps with evolving technical requirements and mission needs.

Sahil Desai joins Fortastra as Vice President of Product, where he will head up product strategy and growth to ensure Fortastra’s technology delivers mission-ready capabilities for defense and commercial partners. Desai started his career as an Intelligence Community Officer supporting national security initiatives. He later served as Director of Programs at Hermeus Corporation, teaming up with Fortastra CEO Mike Smayda, where he established the company’s program management function and helped secure key hypersonics contracts. Most recently, as Vice President of Aerospace and Defense Programs at Divergent Technologies, Desai helped scale the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies in defense technology environments.

Arnold Nowinski joins Fortastra as Vice President of People, bringing more than 25 years of experience supporting commercial, civil, and Department of Defense programs. He most recently served as Vice President and General Manager of the Space Launch and Sciences business unit at Astrion, where he staffed and led a team of more than 250 engineers and scientists across multiple NASA and U.S. Space Force programs. Arnold also spent time developing the flight safety system for Falcon 1 at SpaceX. Earlier in his career, he served as a developmental engineer in the United States Air Force, assisting in research and development at the Air Force Research Laboratory and mission assurance of National Security Space launches.

“Fortastra is building technology that will define the next era of space operations and achieving that vision demands leaders from across disciplines and industries,” said Mike Smayda, CEO of Fortastra. “Josh, Sahil, and Arnold bring world-class experience spanning engineering, product strategy, and organizational leadership from some of the most demanding and innovative sectors. This diversity of expertise provides a unique advantage as we continue developing mission-critical systems for our government and commercial partners.”

“I’ve spent my career building aerospace systems that push the boundaries of what’s possible and am thrilled to be joining this organization securing critical assets in orbit,” said Josh Jetter, Chief Technology Officer at Fortastra. “Fortastra is tackling some of the most complex challenges in space operations, and I’m happy to be a part of the journey as we build reliable, scalable systems.”

“Modern space missions demand advanced technologies that are operationally ready,” said Sahil Desai, Vice President of Product at Fortastra. “Fortastra is uniquely positioned to deliver that capability, and I’m excited to help guide the product strategy to bring these innovations to customers who need them most.”

“The space economy is growing rapidly, and building the teams most capable of supporting that growth is essential,” said Arnold Nowinski, Vice President of People at Fortastra. “Fortastra is curating an exceptional group of experts and I’m excited to help develop the organizational foundation that will support the company’s expansion.”

Fortastra recently raised over $8 million in seed financing, led by Upfront Ventures, with participation from Generational Partners, Wave Function Ventures, Bloomberg Beta, and Forward Deployed VC.

About Fortastra

Fortastra designs and operates maneuverable spacecraft for on-orbit security. Headquartered in Torrance, California, Fortastra combines modern engineering practices, high-rate spacecraft manufacturing, and advanced autonomy to protect critical space infrastructure and deliver consistent operational advantage for the United States and its allies. Learn more at www.fortastra.com

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“Culture First” Argues That the Highest-Performing Teams Are Built Through Culture, Not Talent Alone

Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

Jon B. Becker distills lessons from a career working alongside elite teams to give a practical blueprint for building high-performance cultures

APRIL 1, 2026 | LOS ANGELES, CA — In Culture First: 9 Leadership Practices That Build Elite Teams, released today on Amazon, Jon B. Becker draws on his extensive career advising and equipping elite tactical units worldwide to make a pointed argument: performance is not primarily a function of talent or strategy, but of culture.

Becker is the founder and CEO of AARDVARK Tactical, a company he launched at seventeen that has since become a trusted partner to top-tier units. He has spent his career embedded alongside federal, state, local, and international teams operating in environments where failure carries real consequences. Over time, he observed a recurring pattern: what separates enduring, high-performing units is not resources or individual capability, but cultural practices, deliberately built and rigorously maintained.

Culture First translates those observations into nine leadership practices, each paired with practical tools leaders can implement immediately. While rooted in high-stakes tactical environments, the framework is intended for broader application across organizations.

At the center of Becker’s argument is a simple premise: culture functions as the operating system of any organization. When neglected, it forms by default. When built with intent, it becomes a force multiplier.

Speaking about the book, Becker said:

“After working alongside some of the most capable teams in the world, one thing became clear: success leaves patterns. The same cultural principles show up repeatedlyunder different leaders, in different missions, across different organizations. This book attempts to capture those patterns and make them usable.”

The book reflects not only Becker’s field experience, but also years of conversations with high performers across disciplines, many featured on his podcast, The Debrief, which has reached more than 1.5 million listeners.

Lt. Lee McMillion, Commander of LAPD D-Platoon (SWAT), has seen the principles firsthand:

“The 9 Practices are not just catchphrases for this book. They are how Jon Becker has built, sustains, and leads his private business, and the reason we have him present Culture-Centric Leadership to our entire team.”

The book’s broader relevance is echoed by Michael Lumpkin, retired Navy SEAL, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, and former corporate President and CEO:

“Jon Becker nails it in his understanding that organizational culture is the operating system that drives the success or failure of any organization. His use of real-life examples in both tactical no-fail missions as well as the business world demonstrates that it is central to every organization regardless of mission.”

Culture First is published by Lessons Learned Publishing and is available now on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats, with hardcover and audiobook editions scheduled for release on May 15, 2026.

About Jon B. Becker

Jon B. Becker is the founder and CEO of AARDVARK Tactical and PROJECT 7 Armor, with decades of experience equipping and advising elite military and law enforcement units. He is a TEDx and keynote speaker, attorney, documentary filmmaker, Ironman triathlete, and host of The Debrief with Jon Beckerpodcast. His work focuses on translating lessons from elite teams into practical leadership frameworks for organizations across industries. Culture First is his first book.

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Fort Campbell Soldiers Gain Enhanced Access to Qore Performance Thermoregulation and Hydration Equipment via ATS Tactical Gear Partnership

Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

Knoxville, TN and Oak Grove, KY — Qore Performance, Inc., the inventors of the ICEAGE ECOSYSTEM of thermoregulation and hydration technologies, is proud to announce ATS Tactical Gear as an authorized dealer. Located at 15858 Fort Campbell Blvd, ATS Tactical Gear provides the Fort Campbell community and the 101st Airborne Division with direct, local access to Qore Performance equipment, which is purpose-built to increase the work capacity and survivability of the individual wearer.

A veteran-owned and operated company, ATS Tactical Gear has supported military and law enforcement personnel for over 20 years with rugged tactical nylon. By adding Qore Performance to their showroom, ATS Tactical Gear continues its commitment to offering professional-grade solutions that meet the specific needs of the airborne and light infantry communities.

Professional Grade Solutions at the Gate

Soldiers and professional end-users in the Oak Grove and Fort Campbell area can now purchase Qore Performance’s industry-leading technologies in-person at the ATS Tactical Gear showroom. Key products now available include:

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

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

ATS is also offering bundles with ATS manufactured Standard and Airborne pouches for ICEFLASK®.

“ATS Tactical Gear is an ideal partner due to their strategic location and their deep roots within the Fort Campbell community,” said Austin Pitsch, Marketing Manager of Qore Performance. “By stocking our equipment locally in Oak Grove, ATS is ensuring that soldiers have the best possible tools to weaponize temperature and increase work capacity right where they train and deploy.”

Professional end-users can visit the ATS Tactical Gear showroom at 15858 Fort Campbell Blvd, Unit D, Oak Grove, KY, or shop online at ATSTacticalGear.com.

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Rheinmetall and Boeing Partner on German MQ-28 Ghost Bat

Wednesday, April 1st, 2026

Rheinmetall and Boeing Australia have entered into a strategic partnership to offer the MQ-28 Ghost Bat as a mature solution for the Bundeswehr’s procurement of collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) into Germany by 2029.

Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat has completed more than 150 flights and has been designed, developed and manufactured in Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force and other allied nations.

A proven autonomous CCA, it will act as a force multiplier, teaming with manned platforms to provide critical combat mass in highly contested airspace. Its modular design and autonomous behaviours support a broad range of mission capabilities, including reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and the integration of weapons systems.

Under the partnership, Rheinmetall, with its experience in 5th-generation fighter aircraft and unmanned systems and its strong industrial base, will be the system manager for MQ-28 in Germany, overseeing system integration into existing and future command and weapon systems of the Bundeswehr, adaptation to national requirements and ensuring operational, maintenance, and logistical support.

“With Boeing Defence Australia as a partner, we are laying the groundwork to optimally tailor the MQ-28 to the Bundeswehr’s requirements,” said Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG. “As a system integrator, we ensure that integration, operation, and further development come from a single source while simultaneously strengthening industrial value creation in the form of an industrial hub in Germany and Europe. We see revenue potential for Rheinmetall in the range of three-digit millions of euros.”

The strategic partnership ensures a high level of national and sovereign value creation and supply security in Germany.

The MQ-28 Ghost Bat’s open, modular system architecture allows for continuous upgrades and rapid capability growth. Rheinmetall will support a dedicated digital environment in country, where engineers from both Germany and Australia contribute, test and validate new software and hardware innovations.

“This is not just a partnership between our companies but between two great countries, Germany and Australia, who share a similar strategy for integrating collaborative combat aircraft into their air forces,” said Dr. Brendan Nelson, president of Boeing Global. “Our partnership will see Germany’s industrial base leverage years of Australian innovation and investment to field and evolve MQ-28 for the Bundeswehr.”

The collaboration supports joint development, testing and the systematic growth of German content on the Australian-developed platform and offers the Bundeswehr considerable time savings in the deployment of a CCA capability by 2029.

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DroneShield Partners with Kinetic Interceptor Manufacturer with Origin Robotics MOU

Wednesday, April 1st, 2026

Sydney, Australia – 31 March 2026 – DroneShield (ASX:DRO), a global leader in counter-drone technology solutions, along with Origin Robotics, a defence technology company specialising in advanced autonomous systems, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to formally progress joint collaboration across defence and security projects.

Both companies bring battle-proven technologies already deployed in demanding operational environments. DroneShield contributes its advanced detection, electronic warfare and best-in-class sensor fusion and command-and-control capabilities. Meanwhile, Origin Robotics brings interceptor-focused autonomous platforms engineered for rapid launch, with its BLAZE platform, selected by multiple European governments and now entering operational service.

The MOU establishes a structured framework for the two companies to partner on joint projects that address emerging counter-UAS requirements. This collaboration also represents a pathway to providing operators access to a uniquely powerful combination: world-class detection and tracking from DroneShield’s SensorFusionAI and DroneSentry-C2, seamlessly cueing the proven precision of interceptor-drone defeat enabled by Origin Robotics’ autonomous systems.

DroneShield and Origin Robotics recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further cooperation on counter-UAS opportunities.

As the threat environment evolves, driven by widespread use of long-range, low-cost kamikaze drones such as Shahed’s, interceptor drones are increasingly being explored as a complementary effector within modern layered counter-UAS architectures, such as DroneShield’s DroneSentry.

Angus Bean, Chief Product Officer at DroneShield said the collaboration positions both companies to move forward on global counter-UAS initiatives. “Counter-UAS has entered a phase where accuracy, speed and scalability are non-negotiable. Our sensor fusion capability delivers world-leading quality track data and allows operators to continuously strengthen drone detection. By partnering with Origin, we are creating a pathway that directly addresses the need to defeat Shahed-type threats, providing operators with a mature, affordable and operationally credible approach as part of a truly layered sensor and effector solution.”

Agris Kipurs, CEO of Origin Robotics said the alignment between the companies creates strong potential for future capability development. “Our autonomous interceptor platforms are built for the realities of modern conflict, where traditional systems can struggle to respond quickly or cost-effectively. Partnering with DroneShield allows us to combine best-in-class detection with real-time interception, creating a more responsive and scalable approach to counter-UAS operations.”

As Europe, the Middle East and the United States continue to invest in more resilient counter?UAS capabilities, this MOU positions DroneShield and Origin Robotics to jointly pursue emerging opportunities and offer pathways to operators seeking adaptable, scalable solutions.

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