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UK MOD Signs Protector Support Contract with GA-ASI

Wednesday, June 11th, 2025

SAN DIEGO – 09 June 2025 – The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence has signed a support and sustainment contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for logistics and maintenance of the Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system. The contract — known as the UK Protector Availability and Support Solution or UK PASS — will provide ongoing support for the new Protector RPA systems supplied by GA-ASI and now being operated by the UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF). The Protector RPA is based on GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian®.

UK PASS is a Direct Commercial Sale contract and includes support for the Protector program’s RPA, the Certifiable Ground Control Stations and the Synthetic Training Systems.

“This contract marks an essential milestone in the fielding of the Protector RPA system for the RAF,” said Chris Dusseault, Vice President of MQ-9B in Europe. “With the UK PASS contract in place, we can now transition from the test and development phase of the program to training the RAF flight crews for operations.”

UK PASS is part of GA-ASI’s SkyGuardian Global Support Solutions (SGSS), which provides support for the entire MQ-9B customer base. SGSS is a shared Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) model, with resources such as labor, material, and overhead for maintenance, supply management, and other support functions required to sustain the RPA system, pooled together for use by the entire customer base. This approach provides efficiencies and a lower cost for customers.

“The awarding of the PASS contract marks three years of intensive work between GA-ASI and UK MOD multidisciplinary teams to turn a concept in to a reality. This has generated a first-in class sustainment solution for the Royal Air Force Protector fleet, that exploits contractor owned inventory from a global common spares pool. This contract differs from a traditional spares and repairs contract, achieving economies of scale via a multi-customer common operating model,” said Group Captain Rich Cameron – Uncrewed Air System 3 Team Leader.

GA-ASI’s MQ-9B is the world’s most advanced RPA system, delivering exceptionally long endurance and range. MQ-9B includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian® models, with multiple deliveries made to the U.K.’s Royal Air Force (Protector), as well as orders from Canada, Poland, the Japan Coast Guard, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail.

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L3Harris Providing Additional Vampire Counter-UAS Systems to Department of Defense

Wednesday, June 11th, 2025

MELBOURNE, Fla., June 9, 2025 — L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) has received a new contract through the U.S. Department of Defense for additional VAMPIRE systems, which neutralize unmanned aerial threats. The new order builds on the first delivery and installation of the VAMPIRE systems in 2023 in support of European operations.

VAMPIRE, or Vehicle Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment, delivers advanced reconnaissance and precision strike capabilities against drones and remotely piloted aircraft, enabling European ground forces to protect allied infrastructures from enemy attacks.

“L3Harris’ VAMPIRE has proven to be a reliable and cost-effective response to the growing counter-UAS threat on the global battlefield,” said Tom Kirkland, Vice President and General Manager, Targeting and Sensor Systems, L3Harris. “We will continue to work closely with the Department of Defense and our allied partners to provide formidable counter-UAS technology domestically and abroad.”

VAMPIRE integrates L3Harris’ rugged WESCAM MX™-10D RSTA targeting and sensor system with its weapons station to allow operators to identify and engage targets quickly. The system also combines the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System rocket with the L3Harris proximity fuze and Widow® mission management software for increased system lethality for engaging ground and aerial targets.

VAMPIRE has shown potential for multi-domain applications with capabilities that can extend to the sea, offering a solution for maritime operations against UAS, fast inshore attack crafts and low-slow flyers.

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Army Accelerates Fielding of Advanced Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems to Enhance Combat Capabilities

Wednesday, June 11th, 2025

The Army is rapidly advancing capabilities in the Short-Range Reconnaissance (SRR) program by deploying cutting-edge Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (SUAS) to Transformation in Contact (TiC) Brigades.

These modernized systems amplify combat power and lethality, improve troop survivability, and give commanders real-time intelligence on the modern battlefield.

COL Danielle Medaglia, UAS Project Manager, highlighted the importance of the Army’s approach.

“The technology across the UAS environment is evolving at a rapid pace,” Medaglia said. “Therefore, in parallel to fielding the next tranche of SRR we are already working on future capabilities, leveraging new mature technology and quickly iterating on Soldier feedback.”
“Continuous iteration and integration of new technology, multi-vendor awards, and continuous competition ensures we can field the most capable and cost effective UAS, at scale, that aligns with Soldier needs.”

SRR systems are integral to modern warfare. Equipped with advanced sensors, these SUAS provide real-time intelligence, reconnaissance, and target acquisition, empowering commanders with swift decision-making capabilities. Acting as force multipliers, they enable precise fires, support ground operations with timely information, enhance operational flexibility, and crucially, improve troop survivability by detecting threats and identifying safe routes.

Equipping of Next-Generation SUAS Capabilities

The Army continues to use a multi-vendor approach to drive competition and deliver technology at the speed of relevance.

“The rapid deployment of Tranche 2 SUAS to our combat teams is a testament to our commitment to providing Soldiers with the most advanced tools available,” said BG David Phillips, Program Executive Officer, Aviation. “These systems are not just about technology; they are about enhancing our operational capabilities and ensuring the safety and effectiveness of our troops on the ground.”

In April, PEO Aviation’s UAS Project Office responded to an urgent request to deploy Tranche 2 SUAS to the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division (Fort Campbell, Kentucky) in support of their rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Johnson, Louisiana.

Demonstrating the Army’s ability to rapidly equip its forces, Skydio X10D systems were delivered to the 1/101st, under the Army’s TiC 2.0 initiative within one month of the request. Additionally, Teal Drones’ Black Widow system is preparing to field. Both Skydio and Teal will support Army TiC Brigades in developing and refining tactics, techniques, and procedures for employing networked reconnaissance and surveillance systems against emerging battlefield threats.

The Army’s Vision for the Future of SRR

The deployment and evaluation of these SUAS are part of a larger Army initiative focused on “Transforming in Contact” – evaluating uncrewed aircraft systems and aligning personnel and tactics with new technologies. The Tranche 2 system is built upon Soldier feedback with improvements such as enhanced autonomy, a new ground control station, and modular architecture.

The Army remains steadfast in its mission to strengthen Soldier lethality, creating a force that can dominate in large-scale combat operations across multiple domains.

“The modern battlefield is changing. I think we’ve seen that,” said Gen. Randy George, Chief of Staff of the Army, during a recent interview. “We’ve learned a lot over the last year and a half with our transformation in contact. So, this is bottom-up innovation that we know we need, and we know we’ve been watching what’s happening on the modern battlefield.”

From Program Executive Office, Aviation

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Draganfly Showcases Tactical Drone Innovation at Global Defense Summit in Latvia

Monday, June 9th, 2025

Tampa, Florida – June 5, 2025 – Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8), an award-winning drone solutions and systems developer, is pleased to announce its successful participation at the Global Drone Innovation and Defense Coalition Summit (Drone Coalition) – Summer 2025, held May 29 in Riga, Latvia.

Co-hosted by the Latvian and UK Ministries of Defense, the limited invite-only summit welcomed more than 1,500 participants from 28 countries across the government, defense, and drone technology sectors. The summit marked the formal expansion of the Drone Coalition from 17 to 20 member states and highlighted €4 billion in collective investment toward advancing coalition-aligned drone capabilities.

Draganfly was featured as a leading provider, prominently positioned, and showcased multiple systems from its interoperable family of tactical drone platforms, including The Commander 3XL, The APEX, and the modular Flex FPV.

Draganfly was the only provider demonstrating a fully modular and interchangeable FPV platform, and the only company offering multiple tactical deployment drone systems with field-proven validation.

“We were honored to have participated in a summit that is shaping the future of allied drone strategy and deployment,” said Cameron Chell, President and CEO of Draganfly. “The interest in our modular Flex FPV system and integrated drone platforms reinforces our focus on innovation, mission adaptability, and coalition-aligned development priorities.”

The company also engaged with representatives from leading academic and research institutions to explore potential collaborative initiatives in military drone advancement and demining technologies.

Draganfly’s presence underscored its long-standing support for Ukraine and its commitment to field-driven innovation shaped by real-time operational feedback.

Draganfly has been invited to return to Riga in August 2025 for the upcoming Security Conference, with further planning underway.

Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8) is the creator of quality, cutting-edge drone solutions, software, and AI systems that revolutionize the way organizations operate. Recognized as being at the forefront of technology for over 25 years, Draganfly is an award-winning industry leader serving the public safety, public health, mining, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, and mapping and surveying markets. Draganfly is a company driven by passion, ingenuity, and the need to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to its customers around the world with the goal of saving time, money, and lives.

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Smartshooter Awarded a $13M U.S. Army Contract for SMASH 2000L Fire Control Systems

Thursday, June 5th, 2025

YAGUR, Israel — SMARTSHOOTER, a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems, is proud to announce that its U.S. subsidiary, SMARTSHOOTER Inc., has received a new order valued at $13M from the U.S. Army for SMASH 2000L fire control systems. The systems will be deployed as part of the Army’s Transformation In Contact (TIC2.0) forces, a specially designated formation for accelerated testing and integration of advanced technologies on the battlefield.

SMASH fire control systems have already been acquired and operationally deployed by various branches of the U.S. armed forces, providing valuable field experience and demonstrating their effectiveness against evolving threats. Now, with the recent U.S. Army order, the technology will be integrated into the combat formation. This marks a major milestone in advancing U.S. dismounted counter-UAS capabilities.

Also known as SMASH 3000, SMASH 2000L (light) is SMARTSHOOTER’s lightest handheld-operated fire control system, which attaches to the Soldier’s rifle. Using computer vision, artificial intelligence, and advanced tracking algorithms, it enables Soldiers to detect, track, and precisely eliminate aerial and ground targets with unmatched accuracy. The system is especially effective against drones and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), offering a high probability of kill for emerging threats.

Michal Mor, CEO of SMARTSHOOTER, said: “We are honored by the U.S. Army’s continued confidence in our SMASH technology. With SMASH 2000L, dismounted Soldiers are empowered with advanced fire control capabilities, ensuring precision in every shot—even in the most complex and high-pressure scenarios. The current contract is a significant step toward Army-wide fielding, and we are committed to supporting this important initiative.”

Combat-proven by the Israeli Defense Forces during Operation Iron Swords, SMASH systems have also been fielded by other NATO forces and are gaining traction across multiple branches of the U.S. military.

For further details, please visit: www.smart-shooter.com

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Plumb Precision Products Reveals the P3 M110 and M110A1 C-UAS Weapon System

Thursday, June 5th, 2025

Issaquah, Washington, June 4th 2025

Plumb Precision Products is excited to reveal the P3 M110A1 C-UAS weapon system technology demonstrator. This is a light weight anti-drone platform focused on type 2 and 3 UAS. The weapon system is intended as an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) to the M110 and M110A1 series of rifles. For the M110A1 It utilizes the P3 HK 417 magazine adaptor in order to utilize the Genesis Arms 12-gauge magazines. The use of 12-gauge ammunition provides the end user unprecedented flexibly for non-lethal, lethal, and counter UAS options.

This and other P3 C-UAS 12-gauge based concepts feature the expertise of Genesis Arms. Genesis Arms and Plumb Precision have had working relationship for over 5 years. This is reflected in the P3 M110A1 H&K and the M110 Knights Armament pattern 12-gauge upper receiver C-UAS concepts.

This particular variant uses a HUXWRX 12-gauge Ventumsuppressor. This compact and lightweight suppressor prioritizes maneuverability without sacrificing functionality and is full auto-rated.

It also features a Heckler and Koch M320 40mm grenade launcher. This enables the system to utilize low pressure 40mm counter UAS ammunition under development and legacy 40mm ammunition. The P3 M110A1 C-UAS uses precision 40mm ammunition such as the Raytheon Pike and its C-UAS variant. This extends the maximum effect range to almost 2000 meters.

Not shown is the patent pending P3 C-UAS detection system. Recently submitted to SF Command’s X-tech program, itutilizes acoustic detection, laser tracking, and AI enabled targeting to engage UAS. The P3 M110A1 and M110 C-UAS systems were specifically created for submission into AEWE and C-UAS programs.

Plumb Precision Products expects to conduct basic conversions to the existing M110/M110A1 for as little as $2500 per unit. This would allow the Department of Defense to convert and field preexisting systems immediately, for less money than any other option.

Look for more information from www.plumbprecision.com

Posted in Press Release, UAS, weapons | 12 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.

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$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.

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