Developed at the behest of Rampant Logistics, the Quick Deploy Drone Clamp (QDDC) which is a MOLLE compatible clamp to secure Quadcopters to backpacks, Plate carriers, etc. The internal Curv core provides rigidity and protection for the body of the drone while allowing the drone to be accessed and retrieved quickly.
*Made to Order – 1-2 week lead time
24 March 2025, Israel – SpearUAV, a leading developer of autonomous, AI-based encapsulated loitering combat systems, announces the successful completion of a significant funding round led by Deep Insight venture fund. The round also included participation from existingand new private investors, marking a major milestone in the company’s continued growth.
This investment follows a period of accelerated expansion, with SpearUAV securing major defense contracts and scaling its operations to meet increasing global demand. The funding will enable the company to establish a new production line in Israel, while also supporting future expansion plans in the United States, including the eventual launch of a dedicated production facility.
“SpearUAV has demonstrated an exceptional ability to address evolving operational needs with its cutting-edge technology,” said Dr. Eyal Kishon, Chairman of DeepInsight “At Deep Insight, we specialize in elevating technology companies, and we recognize that SpearUAV possesses a unique combination of foundational capabilities, innovative technologies, and a disruptive market approach that sets it apart from existing solutions. We are excited to support SpearUAV’s continued innovation and global expansion and confident that our partnership will producesignificant success in the defense sector.”
“SpearUAV has experienced rapid growth over the past year, driven by increased demand for our cutting-edge VIPER family of loitering weapon systems supporting combat vehicles, infantry forces, submarines and naval vessels,” said Yiftach Kleinman, CEO of SpearUAV. “Since the company was founded by Gadi Kuperman, Spear has attracted interest from high-profile private investors and strategic investors. The currentinvestment round, led by Deep Insight, a sophisticated venture fund, which is led by highly experienced leadership, reflects the confidence of our partners in our technology and vision. Expanding our production capabilities in Israel is a critical step to meeting global demand, and we are also laying the groundwork for future operations in the U.S. to further strengthen our international presence and partnerships. We are proud to be part of Deep Insight’s portfolio.”
For more information, please visit www.spearuav.com.
DroneShield, a global leader in counter-drone solutions, proudly reaffirms its support for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Drone Racing Team at the upcoming Avalon Australian International Airshow 2025. This continued collaboration further strengthens the partnership between DroneShield and Australia’s foremost military drone operators, fostering innovation in both drone and counter-drone technologies.
Building on the successful engagement with the ADF Drone Racing Association, DroneShield’s sponsorship at Avalon 2025 will go beyond traditional support, focusing on hands-on collaboration, including DroneShield drone pilot participation in the ADF Drone Racing Team’s activities at Avalon Airshow, further enhancing cross-domain expertise and fostering innovation in real-time drone engagements.
“The ADF Drone Racing Team represents the pinnacle of high-performance drone operations, and we are excited to continue our support at Avalon 2025,” said Oleg Vornik, CEO and Managing Director of DroneShield.
“This partnership is more than just sponsorship; it’s about shaping the future of drone warfare by merging expertise from both offensive and defensive drone technologies.”
Image: ADF Drone Racing Team with DroneShield team. Source: Australian Army Drone Racing Team (Facebook)
Wing Commander Keirin Joyce, President of the ADF Drone Racing Association, welcomed the continued collaboration.
“The partnership between the ADF Drone Racing Team and DroneShield is invaluable in pushing the boundaries of what drones can do – both in competition and on the battlefield. By testing cutting-edge counter-drone technologies against some of the most skilled drone operators in Defence, we create a unique development loop that strengthens Australia’s overall defence capabilities.”
The Avalon Australian International Airshow remains a premier event for showcasing advancements in aviation, defence, and aerospace technologies. This public event also plays a crucial role in inspiring the next generation of STEM enthusiasts, offering an opportunity to witness cutting-edge technology in action. DroneShield looks forward to engaging with industry partners, Defence stakeholders, and drone technology enthusiasts to demonstrate the latest developments in counter-drone capabilities.
FORT STEWART, Ga. – The 188th Infantry Brigade is breaking new ground in Army training and readiness with the launch of its Innovation Lab, a future forward initiative dedicated to the development, construction, and integration of drones in modern warfare.
As part of First Army’s mission to prepare Reserve and National Guard units (Compo 2 and Compo 3) for mobilization, the 188th Infantry Brigade is embracing emerging technologies to enhance warfighter capabilities. The Innovation Lab provides Soldiers with hands-on experience in drone assembly, programming, and field training, preparing them for efficiency on the battlefields of the future.
Maj. Trevor Barrett, the Brigade Innovations Officer, emphasized the lab’s value in fostering a culture of adaptability.
“This is the future and the sooner we can expose Soldiers to this technology the better and more proficient we will be,” Barrett said. “This makes our Army stronger, more adaptive, and more lethal.”
The Innovation Lab is a collaborative space where Soldiers from various military occupational specialties (MOS) work together to construct and modify drones tailored to mission-specific needs. Using commercially available components and 3D printing, the lab enables Soldiers to design drones for reconnaissance.
In addition to drone construction, the Innovation Lab integrates small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) into field exercises and combat simulations. Soldiers undergo training on drone piloting and electronic warfare countermeasures to prepare them to operate effectively in both offensive and defensive scenarios.
“I think sUAS operation will be a required skill for many MOS and you will see multiple variants in the US inventory,” Barrett said.
The Innovation Lab serves as a multifaceted learning tool for drone technology, with Soldiers being trained on both the assembly and field use of the sUAS. The drones that have been built will be introduced at upcoming training events and competitions for the brigade.
“We plan on using these systems this summer at eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTCs) and the second annual Pershing Cup Best OC/T Competition,” Barrett said.
This initiative aligns with the Army’s broader modernization efforts, leveraging grassroots ingenuity to develop practical solutions for warfighters at all levels.
“Like most Soldiers, I am a student of warfare and have seen how drones have changed the modern battlefield,” Barrett said. “The overall objective is to become masters of these systems, learn to employ them effectively, and modify them to defeat our enemies.”
As the 188th Infantry Brigade continues to refine its drone training program, the Innovation Lab is a tangible testament to the Army’s commitment to adaptability and technological advancement. With each flight and every experiment, Ready Brigade Soldiers are not just learning to use drones—they are shaping the warfighting future.
Story by SSG Marlana Cureton, 188th Infantry Brigade
Part of GA’s Quadratix Software Enterprise
SAN DIEGO – 19 March 2025 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has released its latest evolution of the company’s payload command and control (C2), and tactical situational awareness software called TacSit-C2®. The new version builds on GA-ASI’s more than 25 years of experience in developing and deploying C2 for various payloads that are integrated onto GA-ASI’s world-leading Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). TacSit-C2 is part of General Atomics’ Quadratix software enterprise.
TacSit-C2 provides tactical situational awareness so that UAS operators can plan and execute missions. Operators will use TacSit-C2 to view all sensor data concurrently, allowing them to cross-cue payload capabilities. GA-ASI’s development team of experienced payload C2 veterans used intuitive user experience (UX) to simplify payload operations. The new version of TacSit-C2 is expected to be fielded before the end of the year.
“As part of the Quadratix set of software solutions, TacSit-C2 seamlessly integrates Multiple Intelligence Signal Processing (Multi-INT) C2 into a single application that includes radar, Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communications Intelligence (COMINT), and Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors,” said Darren Moe, GA-ASI senior director for Automation, Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence. “We anticipate that implementation of TacSit-C2 will significantly reduce manpower requirements.”
TacSit-C2 features GA-ASI’s Multi-Mission Controller (MMC), which enables one user to control multiple heterogeneous unmanned vehicles at the same time.
TacSit-C2 is scalable, easily accommodating the addition or removal of workstations depending on the mission. The system runs on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) computer hardware from a laptop to a server. TacSit-C2’s Software Development Kit (SDK) empowers third parties to add additional capabilities such as new payloads.
Advancing National Security with High-Performance Propulsion Technology
Huntington Beach, California– March 20th, 2025 — Mach Industries, a leader in advanced defense manufacturing, today announced the launch of Mach Propulsion, a new division dedicated to the development and production of high-performance propulsion systems. Along with this expansion, the company is constructing a state-of-the-art jet engine facility to position Mach Industries as a major U.S. supplier of critical subcomponents for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other defense technologies.
Set to begin construction later this year, the Mach Propulsion facility will introduce a vertically integrated, scalable solution for jet engine manufacturing, with a planned capacity of 12,000 engines annually. Designed to accelerate the advancement of next-generation propulsion technologies, the plant will support both Mach Industries’ proprietary platforms and a broader ecosystem from other manufacturers. Additionally, through rapid prototyping and testing, the site will harness Mach Industries’ iterative approach to expedite the design, testing and mass manufacturing of propulsion technologies.
Mach Industries has partnered with German manufacturer JetCat to supply propulsion systems for its Strategic Strike contract, recently awarded by the Army Application Lab, while Mach Propulsion will specialize in higher-thrust class engines with both enhanced durability and reusability. This initiative aims to complement JetCat’s offerings while expanding Mach Industries’ capabilities and product portfolio. Jeremy Klyde will lead the new division as General Manager. A seasoned expert in microturbine engine design and manufacturing, Klyde previously served as director of propulsion at Anduril Industries and held key leadership roles at Volvo and Lockheed Martin. His extensive experience in advanced propulsion systems will play a crucial role in the division’s growth and rollout of new engine models. As part of Mach Propulsion’s launch, Klyde will focus on building a high-caliber team, with plans to hire more than 30 engineers.
“Mach Industries is setting the standard for America’s future defense base by tackling critical gaps in our nation’s munitions supply chain. With the defense industry’s current deprioritization of essential components like engines and warheads, Mach Industries is stepping up to create the next generation of propulsion technology and strengthen our competitive edge,” said Klyde, General Manager of Mach Propulsion. “Mach’s commitment to ensure the U.S. defense ecosystem has access to advanced capabilities is exactly the forward-thinking strategy needed to secure national defense for the future.”By establishing this development of micro-jet engines, Mach is strategically positioned to be the primary engine provider for the next generation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Its goal is to deliver advanced propulsion technologies that support a range of critical military applications, including vertical-takeoff and landing (VTOL) systems, cruise missiles, and other high- performance vehicles.
“The creation of this factory represents a major leap forward in our readiness for scale conflict,” said Ethan Thornton, CEO and founder of Mach Industries. “Current micro-jet engine facilities are already operating at full capacity, even during peacetime. The United States needs to rapidly and efficiently prepare itself to produce weapons of the future at unprecedented scale, and we’re honored to be a major part of that solution.”
Mountain View, CA (March 14, 2025) –The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) announced that four companies were awarded contracts for Artemis, a project to operationally evaluate long range, one way platforms. DIU is partnering with the Department of Defense Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment (A&S) to execute a FY24 Budget line item directing operational testing of platforms in relevant Electronic Warfare (EW) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) denied environments.
Congressional direction for this effort had a goal to provide loitering munitions capable of operation in an electromagnetic contested environment, at a price point that allows for mass deployment.
“We are excited about the non-traditional companies who are providing low-cost, adaptable, long-range, UAS platforms with the potential to maximize operational flexibility for the Joint force,” said Trent Emeneker, DIU program manager for the effort and contractor. “This was the intent of Congress’ direction to rethink how to get capabilities to the warfighter at speed and scale that can deliver much faster than traditional Programs of Record.”
The four companies on contract include Swan, a U.S. software company partnered with a Ukrainian unmanned aerial systems (UAS) firm; Dragoon, a U.S.-based firm; Aerovironment, a U.S. based firm; and Auterion, a U.S. software company partnered with another Ukrainian UAS firm.
In just over four4 months, DIU and A&S developed a problem statement, launched a solicitation, evaluated 165 proposals, conducted flight demonstrations to verify stated capabilities of down-selected companies and entered into contract negotiations.
In order to have a successful prototype by the end of FY 2025, the next step is meeting an aggressive testing and integration schedule to complete prototyping and demonstrate success by the end of May 2025. Project Artemis goals are directly tied to observations of current real world combat conditions as well as feedback from end users across the DoD on what capabilities may be needed in this space to face near peer threat capabilities around the world. With Artemis, DIU and A&S are moving rapidly to provide an option for Services and Combatant Commands to choose from, delivered years in advance of current Program of Record timeframes.
The final Artemis capabilities will be ground-launched, affordable one-way UAS platforms that operate at ranges from 50-300 km+, launch quickly and expeditiously, navigate at low altitudes, carry a variety of payloads, are rapidly updatable and upgradable, and functional in disrupted, disconnected, intermittent and low-bandwidth and Global Navigation Satellite System denied environments.
In a rare move, USSOCOM in support of Special Operations Command Central, a Theater Special Operations Command, has released an intent to a award a single source contract for a combat capability to be used by forces which rotate into their theater.
The actual commercial system is never named, but specifically, the requirement is for First Person View drones. Those of you who have been following the Soldier Systems Digest newsletter know how supportive I am of fielding these systems en masse, so any requirement gets me excited.
FPV drones are not new to Special Forces. They’ve begun to integrate the capability into their formations and conduct a course at the JFK Special Warfare Center and School called Robotics and Unmanned Systems Integration Course (RUSIC) to train operators to use these drones. Additionally, many receive training from Oak Grove Technologies in the specialty. In the photo above by SGT David Cordova, a 10th Group Green Beret prepares to launch an FPV drone to be used for a raid operation during Exercise Trojan Footprint last year in conjunction with Greek special operations forces near Nea Peramos, Greece. Soon, there will be a new Warrant Officer MOS in USASOC which specializes in robotics, drones, and other new warfighting technologies.
A few things stick out about this procurement.
First, it’s not normal for a TSOC to procure systems which will be used by gained forces. It happens, but it’s generally rare cases such as communications or command and control. TSOCs aren’t manned and equipped to operate and maintain ISR and lethality systems. Those are provided by gained forces from the SOF service components as well as conventional units with unique capabilities.
In fact, the J&A used to substantiate the procurement points out that the command has limited UAS capabilities and is reliant upon external agencies to provide specialized assets.
Below are several points of interest in the J&A:
Currently, the absence of dedicated Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for cave clearing operations forces reliance on Military Working Dogs (MWD) or partner forces, significantly increasing risk to both personnel and mission success. This approach presents several challenges:
Hazardous Environments: Caves present confined, complex spaces with limited visibility and unpredictable terrain, increasing the danger to personnel and potentially hindering MWD effectiveness.
Specialized Threat Detection: Identifying hidden threats like explosives, booby traps, and concealed enemy combatants requires specialized equipment and expertise, limitations that UAS technology can address.
Communication and Coordination: Maintaining clear communication and coordination within a cave environment is crucial but challenging, potentially leading to delays and miscommunication.
To mitigate these risks and enhance operational effectiveness, we propose the acquisition and deployment of a dedicated UAS solution.
Enhanced Situational Awareness: FPV UAS provide real-time visual intelligence from within the cave, enabling operators to assess the environment, identify threats, and make informed decisions.
Reduced Risk to Personnel: Deploying UAS instead of personnel for initial reconnaissance and threat assessment significantly reduces the exposure (redacted) and MWD teams to potential hazards.
Improved Communication and Coordination: UAS equipped with communication relays enhance coordination between teams inside and outside the cave, facilitating smoother operations and faster response times.
This equipment enables ODAs to gain a visual on the risks present on an obscured objective, prior to engagement. Without this capability, ODAs accept undue to risk to the force by entering an objective without detect and defeat capabilities.
This heavy-lift capability, combined with its compact drone body, enables the system to operate effectively in confined spaces, such as those encountered in cave clearing operations. The system’s First-Person View (FPV) guidance system provides real-time video feed, allowing for precise navigation and control, which is essential for safe and effective operation in complex environments.
The other issue is the use of a Sole Source Contract. The drafter of the requirement certifies that the desired system is the only single source which is reasonably available and further asserts that the “JUAS platform presents a distinct combination of capabilities that make it the only viable solution for our specific needs.”
There are loads of ways to acquire the exact capability they desire without going for a J&A which will assuredly receive lots of scrutiny from industry.
Lastly, by publishing an open notice, it alerts everyone (bad guys included) that they currently have a capability gap and that they are closing it.
I’m glad they are getting the gear. Hopefully, they’ll come up with a means to train forces in its use and sustain the capability with manning and training as well as material life-cycle management. In the end, it would be great to see this capability grow across the SOF enterprise as well as into General Purpose Forces, but that means a serious look at force structure as well as the full DOTMLP-F spectrum.
