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Rheinmetall and Telekom Plan to Develop a Drone Defence Shield

Monday, May 11th, 2026

• Hybrid threats from drones and sabotage are increasing
• Multi-threat protection aims to secure critical infrastructure
• Rheinmetall and Telekom combine their expertise to deliver effective protection
• Joint presentation at the AFCEA security trade show starting May 12, 2026, in Bonn

Rheinmetall and Telekom plan to jointly develop a defence shield against drones and acts of sabotage. The companies intend to work together to protect cities and critical infrastructure across Germany. They reached this agreement ahead of the upcoming AFCEA security technology trade show in Bonn.

The current geopolitical situation has placed the protection of critical infrastructure (KRITIS) in sharp focus. Hybrid threats from sabotage and drone activity are steadily increasing. In response, the companies are pooling their expertise.

The partners aim to develop capabilities and technologies to counter a wide range of potential attacks on KRITIS sites—a multi-threat protection approach. This includes cybersecurity technologies as well as physical site protection, commonly referred to as perimeter security. Further details of the collaboration will be announced at a later date.

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, says: “The threat posed by drones is highly digital. This is why effective defence requires a combination of sensors, effectors, and secure communication networks. Rheinmetall and Deutsche Telekom bring together precisely these capabilities.”
Tim Höttges, CEO of Deutsche Telekom AG, says: “Sovereignty is achieved not only through discussion but through action. Telekom is taking responsibility: With our expertise in connectivity, cloud, and data analytics, we are elevating drone defence to a new level. Together with Rheinmetall, we are strengthening sovereignty and helping to alleviate public concerns.”

Telekom detects drone flights during the European Football Championship in Germany
Since 2017, Telekom has been a system partner to government agencies and companies in the field of drone security. The Group has already secured critical infrastructure, facilities, and major events against drones both in Germany and abroad. For example, Telekom successfully and reliably detected illegal drone flights on behalf of the police during the 2024 European Football Championship.

Drone detection and defence are technically demanding. Depending on the location and terrain, different sensors are more suitable. Since 2017, the company has therefore tested a range of sensors from international manufacturers in customer projects and field trials at international and regional airports such as Tannheim in Baden-Württemberg, integrating them into its product portfolio. Telekom continues to advance its technical capabilities in drone defence and its sensor suite. Today, video, audio, radio frequency (RF), Remote ID, and drone radar sensors are used in customer deployments.

RF detection proven in customer deployments
Most drones on the market are flown within visual range using a radio remote control. Drones and controllers communicate via radio frequency (RF). RF sensors can detect these signals—and thus the position of both drone and controller. RF is considered one of the most common methods in drone detection. RF sensors currently make more than 90% of all drones in low-altitude airspace detectable.

The RF sensors used by Telekom operate passively and do not transmit an active search signal. This allows them to be installed on cell towers without interfering with sensitive mobile communications technology. According to Telekom’s customer experience, RF sensors mounted high on cell towers have proven particularly effective in densely built-up urban areas.

Rheinmetall: Specialist in drone defence and autonomous systems
Rheinmetall is one of the world’s leading systems providers in air defence—including close-range and short-range applications. Effectors from the Düsseldorf-based technology group are currently in use in Ukraine and the Middle East. In addition, Rheinmetall is a specialist in autonomous systems across all domains—land, sea, and air—including drones and airborne reconnaissance systems. The Group also develops sensor and data processing technologies used in both civilian and security-related applications.
In December 2025, Rheinmetall, the Hamburg Police, and the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) agreed on a strategic partnership to further develop drone detection and defence concepts for the Port of Hamburg. The focus is on developing forward-looking technologies to protect maritime, civilian, and critical infrastructure.
From a technical standpoint, the Port of Hamburg is considered a particularly challenging environment: diverse radio sources, maritime conditions, and dense infrastructure place high demands on detection systems. As a leading industry partner, Rheinmetall contributes its expertise to this alliance to develop tailored solutions for complex threat scenarios, forming part of a supraregional security strategy.
More drones are flying via mobile networks
A new challenge arises from drones controlled via mobile networks. While the vast majority of pilots use RF and a remote control, the number of drones operated via cellular networks is increasing. Real-world applications in Germany and abroad show that both commercially available and homemade drones are increasingly being controlled via mobile networks. Telekom is collaborating with Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg (Uni-Bw: Universität der Bundeswehr) to research how these drones can be located.

Mobile network becomes a large-scale radar system
In the future, the mobile network itself will act as a sensor—a large-scale radar system—by detecting changes and anomalies in data traffic that indicate drone control or communication. This will make drones visible to emergency responders, for example in temporary no-fly zones. The basis for this is the 5G standalone high-performance network installed by Telekom on the Uni-Bw campus, based on Ericsson technology.

Drone violations constitute serious interference with air traffic
Controlling drones via mobile networks is not yet widespread in Germany. By law, pilots must keep their drone in sight at all times (line of sight). Those who operate drones beyond visual range often do so for commercial purposes, such as inspecting power lines or pipelines. These pilots must apply for permission to fly. Anyone who does not apply but still controls a drone via mobile network is committing a criminal offence.
Drone flights in restricted areas are by no means a minor offence comparable to a speeding violation, but a dangerous interference with air traffic. Despite repeated police warnings, many continue to fly recklessly beyond visual range, risking unexpectedly severe penalties. Telekom systems have already pinpointed prohibited drone flights on a large scale at the request of customers, enabling emergency responders to locate pilots quickly.

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

Army and Defense Sector Announce, ‘Right to Integrate’ Hackathon Sprint for Shared Technology

Monday, May 11th, 2026

WASHINGTON — Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and leaders from Anduril, Boeing, General Dynamics, L3Harris, Leidos, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Palantir, Perennial Autonomy and RTX announced May 5 that they will “sprint” to conduct a series of combined Army and defense industry partnered hackathon events to integrate critical military technology systems.

This “Right to Integrate” hackathon, or R2I, is an Army-Industry partnered sprint that will ensure offensive and defensive weapon systems, and business systems across the Army, can collectively integrate, share data and communicate with each other.

Historically, multiple systems from multiple manufacturers have struggled with cross-platform integration — creating competing information silos inside operational Army units. Building on the success of the approach for Next Generation Command and Control for open architecture, this hackathon sprint, possibly the largest in human history, will have profound impacts.

“We’ve known for a long time that our systems, weapons, and sensors need to talk to each other so that we can dominate the battlefield,” said Driscoll. “The war in Ukraine showed the world that speed matters and an open architecture construct is highly effective in high-intensity warfare. We haven’t been moving fast enough. The U.S. Army, along with our great defense industry partners, will lead this effort on behalf of our nation and ensure that we remain the dominant fighting force on the planet.”

Historically, the U.S. Army has paid defense companies for exquisite war-fighting systems, with a siloed approach to procurement and program management both inside the government and within the defense sector itself. Unfortunately, these rarely communicated with each other and required additional costs, time, and field service engineers to manually integrate the information or systems. These manual integrations were often bespoke and frequently failed. This time-consuming and expensive process is no longer sufficient for the Information Age.

“We cannot fight from a swivel chair across multiple disaggregated systems anymore. We must integrate at the speed of digital information, and leverage the technologies of our time, like agentic artificial intelligence, drone swarms, and cyber weapons. I’m incredibly grateful for the rapid and wholehearted support these companies have shown us. There are no better defense industry partners in the world that in the U.S.,” said Driscoll.

The idea for this initiative is not new; however, it became a reality for the world as Ukraine’s existential threat drove their modular open system architecture command, or MOSA, and control system to effectively integrate drones, sensors, and shooting platforms in a single system. By mandating that all entrants meet the criteria of exposing their application programming interface, the Ukrainian military quickly and effectively integrated information across all platforms. The Army started in this direction with NGC2 and is now expanding to a broader array of systems.

“Soldiers don’t have time to wait while systems that should already be talking to each other get patched together on a battlefield,” said Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Christopher LaNeve. “It’s a wicked problem, and R2I puts our industry partners and our Soldiers in the same room to solve it as rapidly as possible. That’s what the American Soldier deserves.”

While this initiative helps the U.S. Army and broader military, it is also beneficial for the defense industry and non-traditional vendors as it increases competition, improves integration of new technology, and ensures a single company isn’t required to bear the burden of this change. As this is happening simultaneously for all participants, everyone benefits, but no one more than the American Soldier.

“We’ve seen the cost of integration approach zero in the commercial space – especially with software systems with open interfaces and architectures,” said Dr. Alex Miller, chief technology officer for the U.S. Army. “We have seen standards come and go in the department for decades, but are still beholden to sub-par implementation, close and proprietary interfaces, or systems that lack the flexibility to adapt over time.”

“MOSA has shifted from a verb – how we do things – to a noun. How companies find ways to use their architecture,” said Miller. “We are setting conditions to where being open is industry’s ticket to participate. If you do not expose your interfaces and your documentation, you will not be able to join the ecosystem. This will be especially true for autonomous systems.”

The first event will be held at Fort Carson, Colorado, in the coming weeks. Anduril, Boeing, General Dynamics, L3Harris, Leidos, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Palantir, Perennial Autonomy and RTX are all supporting with dozens of pieces of technology and equipment, as well as engineers and scientists, to join Army leaders, Soldiers, and technical experts.

During the sprint, the companies will sign a statement of support for the Army’s integration efforts, for both current systems and future systems still in development. The statement highlights that the hackathon sprint will be carried out at no cost to the Army.

At the heart of this initiative lies a vital Army-Industry partnership united by a single purpose: warfighter supremacy. By breaking down barriers and working shoulder-to-shoulder with industry leaders, the Army is ensuring an interconnected, adaptable force. This joint effort is essential to achieving true decision dominance, allowing our Soldiers to sense, decide, and strike faster than any enemy force in future combat operations.

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Achilles Heel Tactical Launches the AHT Podcast

Sunday, May 10th, 2026

Achilles Heel Tactical has officially launched the AHT Podcast, a long-form conversational platform hosted by AHT instructor David Acosta Jr., intended to extend many of the discussions that naturally happen around its training programs.

The debut episode, “The Genesis of AHT,” features founder Rick Crawley discussing the origins of Achilles Heel Tactical, the philosophy behind the company, and the standards that continue to shape its direction today.

For those who have trained with AHT, the format will feel familiar.

Some of the most meaningful conversations don’t happen while standing on the firing line. They happen during lunch, after class, or sitting around talking once the training day is over. Conversations about leadership, responsibility, discipline, marriage, fatherhood, faith, preparedness, and the realities of navigating life well in a culture that often lacks clear direction. The podcast is intended to be an extension of that atmosphere.

Rather than forcing those conversations into a class setting, the AHT Podcast creates a place where those topics can be explored more freely and in greater depth through long-form discussions with instructors, professionals, and respected voices from the firearms, military, law enforcement, and leadership communities.

“If you’ve trained with us, then you already know that a lot of the best conversations tend to happen during breaks or after class, and the podcast is really just intended to be an extension of that”, said Acosta.

While firearms training remains central to AHT’s work, the podcast broadens the conversation beyond technical skill alone. The intent is to help cultivate men who are more capable, more competent, and more accountable in the responsibilities they carry as husbands, fathers, protectors, and leaders.

New episodes will release weekly and will feature a mix of interviews, solo discussions, and group conversations centered around topics that matter both on and off the range.

“The Genesis of AHT” is now available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

For training information and upcoming courses, visit AchillesHeelTactical.com.

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EAC Commissioners Issue Joint Statement Recognizing Military Appreciation Month 2026

Sunday, May 10th, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC — In recognition of Military Appreciation Month 2026, the Commissioners of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) issued a joint statement honoring our service members.

“This year, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, which would not be possible without our nation’s servicemen and women. It is because of their sacrifices that this country remains a beacon of democracy to the world,” said EAC Chairman Thomas Hicks, Vice Chair Christy McCormick, and Commissioner Ben Hovland.

“As the midterm elections continue, it is essential that our military members understand when, where, and how to vote, especially for those currently serving or who will be serving overseas. Local and state election offices are their best resources for voting information, even on the front lines. Three-quarters of these voters voted by mail in the 2024 general election, so it is critical that they understand the process and state deadlines where they are casting a ballot.

To those who no longer serve our country in uniform, we now ask you to serve your community at the polls. Through the agency’s partnership with Vet the Vote, we have been able to thank hundreds of veterans who have also served as election workers and to encourage others to sign up and serve their community in this way. We commend our active-duty service members and veterans for your leadership and commitment to this great nation as we celebrate 250 years.”

During the 2024 general election, about 542,000 uniformed service members were registered to vote while stationed overseas. According to the EAC’s Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS) Comprehensive Report, postal mail was the most common method of ballot return, with 75% of service members using it.

Military members and their families serving abroad are protected under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). This requires states and territories to allow these citizens to register and vote in federal elections using absentee voting procedures.

Resources for military voters and their families and election officials who support them are available at eac.gov/uocava or fvap.gov.

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Classified Networks AI Agreements

Saturday, May 9th, 2026

The War Department Announces Agreements with Leading AI Companies to Deploy Capabilities on Classified NetworksThe War Department has entered into agreements with eight of the world’s leading frontier artificial intelligence companies, SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, NVIDIA, Reflection, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Oracle to deploy their advanced AI capabilities on the Department’s classified networks for lawful operational use. These agreements accelerate the transformation toward establishing the United States military as an AI-first fighting force and will strengthen our warfighters’ ability to maintain decision superiority across all domains of warfare.

Integrating secure frontier AI capabilities into the Department’s Impact Level 6 (IL6) and Impact Level 7 (IL7) network environments will streamline data synthesis, elevate situational understanding, and augment warfighter decision-making in complex operational environments. SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, NVIDIA, Reflection, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Oracle will provide resources to deploy their capabilities on both IL6 and IL7 environments. This effort supports the Department’s AI Acceleration Strategy by enabling new capabilities across its three core tenets of warfighting, intelligence, and enterprise operations.

GenAI.mil, the War Department’s official AI platform, is already demonstrating the scale and impact of this acceleration. Over 1.3 million Department personnel have used the platform, generating tens of millions of prompts and deploying hundreds of thousands of agents in only five months. Warfighters, civilians and contractors are putting these capabilities to practical use right now, cutting many tasks from months to days.

The Department will continue to build an architecture that prevents AI vendor lock and ensures long-term flexibility for the Joint Force. Access to a diverse suite of AI capabilities from across the resilient American technology stack will give warfighters the tools they need to act with confidence and safeguard the nation against any threat.

Together, the War Department and these strategic partners share the conviction that American leadership in AI is indispensable to national security. This leadership depends on a thriving domestic ecosystem of capable model developers that enable the full and effective use of their capabilities in support of Department missions. As mandated by President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, the Department will continue to envelop our warfighters with advanced AI to meet the unprecedented emerging threats of tomorrow and to strengthen our Arsenal of Freedom.

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ABS Acquires RMC Global to Strengthen Cyber, Risk and Resilience Capabilities

Friday, May 8th, 2026

Acquisition to Deliver Stronger More Integrated Solutions for Clients

Photo Caption (L to R): Vince Kuchar, President, RMC Global, and David Wechsler, President and CEO, ABS Group

(HOUSTON) ABS, through its affiliate ABSG Consulting Inc. (ABS Consulting), has today announced the acquisition of?RMC Global (RMC), a leading provider of industrial cybersecurity, risk management?and resiliency solutions.

The acquisition strengthens ABS Consulting’s capabilities and market position, bringing together two organizations with complementary expertise, shared values and a common mission. Combining RMC’s capabilities with ABS Consulting’s scale, technical depth and global resources, unlocks more integrated solutions for clients operating in increasingly complex risk environments.

ABS Chairman and CEO John McDonald said: “Clients are facing increasing operational risk, cyber threats, and regulatory pressure. Bringing together the expertise of RMC and ABS Consulting strengthens our ability to deliver even greater value and support for our clients through comprehensive, integrated solutions.”

He highlighted that the acquisition is both a strategic and cultural fit. RMC’s strong culture of critical infrastructure protection and industrial cybersecurity aligns closely with ABS Consulting’s focus on protecting people, assets and critical operations around the world.

He said: “ABS and RMC make a strong fit in mission and culture. Both organizations are focused on work with real-world impact. Both value expertise, practical problem solving, and long-term trust. And both are committed to helping protect critical systems, support resilience, and solve complex challenges in environments where the stakes are high.”

ABS Consulting CEO David Wechsler said: “This acquisition builds on priority areas where we see sustained client demand and long-term growth opportunity. The combination strengthens our ability to support our customers’ evolving operational risk, cyber threats, and regulatory demands, while giving us a broader platform to deliver increasingly innovative solutions.”

RMC President Vince Kuchar said: “What brought our organizations together is a shared culture, mission, and purpose: delivering practical, trusted solutions that protect critical infrastructure and critical missions, enabling resilience in the face of growing risk. By joining ABS with its 164-year mission, we are better positioned to support our clients today and to adapt alongside them in the years ahead.”

More information about ABS Consulting is available here. More information about RMC is available here.

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XTech Tactical Solves Mag Loading for Bodyguard 2.0 with its LDR2000 B1

Friday, May 8th, 2026

Gilbert, AZ

April 28, 2026

XTech® Tactical is excited to announce the release of the LDR2000 B1, the ultimate Bodyguard 2.0 magazine speed loader. Key points are: 100% Made in the USA, lifetime warranty and a great value!

Bodyguard 2.0 magazine loader, and Bodyguard 2.0 mag loader designed specifically for the popular Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 .380 ACP micro-compact pistol.

This precision-engineered Bodyguard 2.0 accessory slips easily over factory or aftermarket .380 magazines, allowing users to load rounds smoothly with minimal effort using just a finger and thumb. It dramatically reduces hand strain for faster and more comfortable reloading.

Key features of the LDR2000 B1 Bodyguard 2.0 Speed Loader include:

• Specifically engineered for Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 .380 magazines

• Capable of loading 2 magazines in 30 seconds or less

• Compact, lightweight, and easy to carry in a range bag or pistol case

• Durable injection molded polymer and construction built for years of reliable use

• Does not damage feed lips or ammunition

• Utility Patent Pending

• Made in the USA with XTech Tactical’s Lifetime Warranty

MSRP: $15.95 (SKU: XT4050001)

How to Video: youtu.be/Y6wTPPE96eg

The LDR2000ä B1 is available now at www.xtechtactical.com, Amazon Prime, and through authorized XTech Tactical dealers. It joins the growing LDR2000 family of premium magazine loaders, giving shooters affordable, high-performance Bodyguard 2.0 accessories that are built to last!

“Our LDR series of magazine loaders brings an unmatched value to the user. At our core we are a magazine brand so creating a line of magazine loaders was a natural fit. Our initial release of the LDR2000 series brings magazine specific loaders, Made in the US at a great price point. Future iterations will provide options for any mass needs in the market” said Jeremy Deadman, President of XTech Tactical. “The B1 model gives Bodyguard 2.0 owners a dedicated tool that solves one of the pistol’s few real drawbacks.”

Posted in Press Release, Weapon Accessories | No Comments »

Wilson Combat Introduces the BULWARK 9mm Pistol

Friday, May 8th, 2026

Wilson Combat is proud to introduce the BULWARK, a new midsize 9mm service pistol engineered to deliver the reliability, durability, and refined shootability serious users demand in a concealed carry or duty handgun.

At the core of the BULWARK is an enclosed internal hammer-fired operating system, combining the ignition reliability and superior trigger characteristics traditionally associated with hammer-fired firearms with a clean, snag-free exterior profile ideal for concealed carry and professional use.

Unlike striker-fired pistols that rely on a spring-driven firing pin, the BULWARK utilizes a fully enclosed internal hammer mechanism. This design preserves the proven mechanical advantages of a hammer-driven system while protecting internal components from debris and eliminating the exposed hammer found on many conventional pistols. The result is a platform engineered to be one of the softest-recoiling and most reliable handguns in its class.

The BULWARK features a sliding trigger with a 1911-style 3.75 to 4.25 lb pull, designed to deliver a crisp trigger break and short, tactile reset familiar to shooters who value precision and control. This refined trigger system promotes consistent engagement, rapid follow-up shots, and enhanced practical accuracy without sacrificing safety.

Built for long-term durability, the BULWARK features a stainless steel slide, hand-fitted match-grade barrel, and fire control module, including integrated frame rails that create a rigid internal chassis for extended service life and consistent performance. For additional protection, the pistol is finished in a tough black nitride coating, offering outstanding resistance to corrosion, wear, and harsh environmental conditions while maintaining a deep matte-black appearance.

Impressive safety is a defining element of the design. The BULWARK incorporates four independent safety mechanisms, including an ergonomic grip safety that blocks the sear and trigger until disengaged, firing pin block and trigger safety providing redundant mechanical protection while maintaining intuitive, fast handling for concealed carry and duty use.

Designed around a highly practical compact-duty footprint, the BULWARK offers 15+1 capacity in 9mm while remaining cross compatible with many Glock 19-pattern holsters, allowing shooters to integrate it easily into existing carry systems. The pistol is also optics-ready, utilizing a versatile pin-based red-dot mounting system that provides a secure, repeatable interface for most modern pistol optics without requiring multiple plates.

Engineered for both deep concealed carry and extreme duty use, the BULWARK brings together compact dimensions, robust construction, advanced safety features, and internal hammer-fired performance in one purpose-built platform.

Key Features & Specifications:

Enclosed internal hammer-fired action delivers the trigger feel of a 1911 in the clean, snag-free profile of a modern duty pistol.
Tested to 5,000 rounds without cleaning or lubrication and without a single malfunction, engineered to run in any condition.
Four independent safety mechanisms provide redundant mechanical protection for confident concealed carry and duty use.
1911-style sliding trigger with a crisp 3.75 to 4.25 lb pull and short, tactile reset for precision and control.
Stainless steel slide, barrel, and fire control unit with durable black nitride finish for outstanding corrosion and wear resistance.
15+1 capacity in 9mm, compatible with many Glock 19-pattern holsters for seamless integration into existing carry systems.
Optics-ready with Wilson Combat’s pin-based red-dot mounting system, accepting most modern pistol optics without adapter plates.

Wilson Combat has been hand-building custom firearms in Berryville, Arkansas, since 1977. Founded by Bill Wilson and still family-owned, the company is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier custom handgun builders, with a product line that spans 1911s, AR and bolt-action rifles, and top-tier accessories.

wilsoncombat.com/handguns/double-stack/bulwark

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