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Scorpion Light Mobile Mortar Systems Set to Participate in U.S. Army’s Transformation in Contact 2.0

Tuesday, September 30th, 2025

TAMPA, FL – (30, September 2025) – Global Military Products has been invited to participate in the U.S. Army’s Transformation in Contact (TiC) 2.0 with its Scorpion Light 81mm mobile mortar system – under a Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP) contract with the Product Manager for Artillery Mortars and Precision Systems (PdM AMPS). Equipped with government-furnished M253 barrels, soldiers will have the opportunity to experience the latest advancements in mobile mortar technology and contribute to the modernization efforts within the mortar community.

TiC 2.0 launches October 20th in Hawaii, where soldiers will first undergo five days of new equipment training from Global Military Products to achieve the operational knowledge and limited safety release required to live-fire the system. Soldiers will then participate in an additional 10 days of tactical scenarios and simulated combat operations with the Scorpion Light Systems. Training and experimentation will also include the Scorpion Light’s rapid-fire control system – designed to elevate operational efficiency with its ability to auto-lay and auto re-aim.

“Soldier touchpoints like the TiC 2.0 serve as an invaluable platform for government and industry to collaboratively review, assess and innovate with the latest technologies. Most importantly, they facilitate the utilization of soldier feedback to inform requirements and expedite the acquisition process for mortar modernization,” said James Knight, senior Manager, Defense Systems and Energetics, Global Military Products. “As a retired Army mortarman, I am intimately familiar with the Army’s requirements for mortar modernization and strongly support the TiC initiative to swiftly enhance the mobility, lethality, operator safety and air transportability of these assets.”

The Scorpion Light 81mm mobile mortar system can fire eight rounds and relocate in under two minutes, taking just 30 seconds to fire the first round and 30 seconds to displace after firing the last round. The unique, non-seating baseplate allows the system to emplace and displace rapidly and fire on nearly any surface. Its robust design, rugged construction, and resilient technologies make it a durable weapon that can withstand the rigors of combat, extreme temperatures, and harsh conditions, while remaining effective. The Scorpion Light on the IUV, has also been certified in the U.S. to be air-droppable and maintains internal air transportability within a CH-47, supporting expeditionary forces.

The Scorpion Light 81mm mobile mortar system and 72 mortar rounds will be fully integrated on two GM Defense Infantry Utility Vehicles (IUVs), a variant of the U.S. Army Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV). The modularity of the system, however, is platform agnostic and allows for integration onto any vehicle platform. Integrations have already been completed on a G-Wagon and Polaris MRZR Alpha 4×4 and 6×6 platforms.

Global Ordnance is exhibiting at the 2025 AUSA Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. October 13-15 in booth #943. The display will include a Scorpion 120mm mobile mortar system integrated on a high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV).

Posted in Advertiser, Army, Mobility, Press Release, weapons | Comments Off on Scorpion Light Mobile Mortar Systems Set to Participate in U.S. Army’s Transformation in Contact 2.0

M230 McDonnell Douglas Chain Gun in the Heckler & Koch Stand at DSEI?

Thursday, September 18th, 2025

During last week’s DSEI in London I had the opportunity to check out a few oddities which show up due to sovereign armaments agreements, such as this M230 McDonnell Douglas Chain Gun which was in the Heckler & Koch stand.

The M230 is used in the AgustaWestland AH1 Apache (AH-64D in the US and now AH-64E in UK service) which is in UK service. As you can see from the receiver markings below, it was manufactured in co-operation with McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co. by Royal Ordnance PLC. Royal Ordnance in turn, is owned by Heckler & Koch.

Why this circuitous process? Because many nations, including the UK require their arms be supplied and maintained by sovereign suppliers, or as we would say in the US, domestic suppliers. This requires original manufacturers to work closely with national firms and in some cases license their designs.

This situation also led me to see a GPMG FN Herstal MAG 58 variant in the H&K booth along with others, including this beauty which is currently manufactured in the US by Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.

Posted in DSEi, International, weapons | 1 Comment »

GA-ASI and AeroVironment Complete First-Ever Air Launch of Switchblade 600 From MQ-9A UAS

Friday, September 12th, 2025

Release of Smaller Loitering Munition Further Validates Large UAS as Motherships

SAN DIEGO, September 10, 2025 (Newswire.com) – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and AeroVironment (“AV”) (NASDAQ:AVAV) collaborated on the air launch of a Switchblade 600 loitering munition (LM) from a GA-ASI Block 5 MQ-9A unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The flight testing took place from July 22-24 at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Grounds Test Range. It marked the first time a Switchblade 600 has ever been launched from an unmanned aircraft.

“This cooperative effort showcased how combining different unmanned technologies could really provide value and effects to the warfighter,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “By using MQ-9A to carry the Switchblade, the MQ-9A is able to stand off farther from enemy weapons systems and increase the range of the SB600, which will provide greater access and options in contested airspace.”

After successfully integrating the SB600 with the MQ-9A, the team released two LMs: one with an inert warhead and the other with a high-explosive round. After launch, the team transferred control of the Switchblade from a user in the MQ-9A’s ground control station to a user on the ground nearer the operational area.

The test further validated GA-ASI’s ability to integrate and operate a variety of airborne launched effects on the battlefield – including both those built by GA-ASI and by partners such as AV – and how their use in conflict provides risk-tolerant options to commanders in contested operations.

Posted in Aviation, Press Release, UAS, weapons | Comments Off on GA-ASI and AeroVironment Complete First-Ever Air Launch of Switchblade 600 From MQ-9A UAS

DSEI 25 – Thales ACAR

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

Thales exhibited the lasted version of their Australian Combat Assault Rifle manufactured by Lithgow.

They caliber, twist rate, finish, and performance for any mission.

Calibers offered include:

5.56mm, 458 SOCOM, 6.5 Grendel, 6mm ARC and 300 BLK.

The ACAR features a cold hammer forged for superior accuracy and chrome-lined barrel for durability, and is designed Future-ready and transfer-of-technology capable to continually evolve against emerging threats.

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SK Customs Debuts “Kingdom of Atzlán” Series

Saturday, September 6th, 2025

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – August 29, 2025 – SK Guns®, the Nation’s only series-driven, limited-edition manufacturer of custom firearms, is proud to announce its new “Kingdom of Atzlán” series. Each installment of the new series will be a limited run of 500 Colt 1911s chambered in .38 Super, beginning with the inaugural “Huitzilopochtli” production.

The Kingdom of Aztlán and the deity Huitzilopochtli occupy a central place in the mythology and identity of the Mexica, better known as the Aztecs. Aztlán, often described as a mythical homeland, was believed to be a paradise-like region located to the north of the Valley of Mexico. According to legend, it was from Aztlán that the Mexica people set forth on a long and arduous migration guided by divine signs, eventually leading them to establish Tenochtitlán in 1325.

At the heart of this migration story was the god Huitzilopochtli, the powerful deity of the sun, war and patron of the Mexica. Depicted as a fierce and demanding god, Huitzilopochtli provided the Mexica with purpose and direction. He is said to have commanded them to leave Aztlán and promised them a destined land where they would find an eagle perched on a cactus devouring a serpent—an image that today forms the Mexican national emblem.

“Huitzilopochtli’s influence extended beyond migration myths. In Mexica society, he embodied the struggle of light against darkness,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Guns. “Under his patronage, the Mexica transformed from wandering migrants into a dominant imperial power. Together, the legend of Aztlán and the guidance of Huitzilopochtli symbolized both the origins and destiny of the Aztec people.”

Details on the left side of the gun’s slide include a scene of the Aztec migration as the sun rises behind the Chapultepec Hills, with the Mexican snake closest to the muzzle. The Mexican eagle watching over the migration and the iconic Colt serpent logo are featured on the rear panel. Subtle shading with traditional Aztec symbols decorates the slide, giving contrast to the 24k gold-plated art.

The right side of the gun’s slide illustrates a hummingbird, which is a translation of Huitzilopochtli. AZTLÁN is embellished on the slide in stylized lettering, continued with shading in the background with matching Aztec symbols. The top of the slide reads the name Huitzilopochtli, with a matching Aztec codex. Closer to the rear sight shines bright a depiction of the Aztec union star, all in 24k gold.

The frame, slide, barrel and hardware are all high polished and feature 24k gold plating of select areas and controls with a deep Colt Royal Blue finish. This historical masterpiece is made complete with an artistic image of an earlier portrayed Mexican Eagle with a snake in its talons, presented on engraved beechwood grips.

“Huitzilopochtli” is a limited-edition production run of only 500 Full Size Government Model Colt 1911s chambered in .38 Super. Each pistol will include a special engraved edition number.

To learn more about the Kingdom of Aztlán, visit www.skguns.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to be the first to learn of our newest production launches.

Posted in Press Release, weapons | 1 Comment »

Rheinmetall at DSEI 2025: Digitalisation – Autonomy – Mobility – Firepower

Thursday, September 4th, 2025

The DSEI exhibition will take place in London from 9 to 12 September 2025. As a key partner to His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Rheinmetall will be present in the UK capital. Under the motto ‘’Freedom Needs Enablers’’, the technology group will present its latest innovations and provide updates on its products and activities. The main focus will be on digitalisation and autonomy, as well as mobility and firepower.

The following events are planned during the exhibition at the Rheinmetall stand S9-110:

Tuesday, 9 September 2025 (Day 1 of DSEI):
11:00 a.m.: World premiere of a new multi-platform combat vehicle system for countering a wide range of land and air threats – presented in cooperation with Lockheed Martin
1:00 p.m.: Collaboration with Mercedes Benz on light tactical off-road vehicles based on the G-Class
2:00 p.m.: Launch of MASS nova, the latest generation of the proven maritime decoy system

Thursday, 11 September 2025 (Day 3 of DSEI):
around 2:35 p.m.: The Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, and Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger will jointly launch the virtual groundbreaking ceremony of the UK Gun Hall in Telford. A dynamic audio-visual experience (a fly-through of the future facility with 3D renderings, an project timeline and transition to a fully operational Gun Hall) will demonstrate how the site will look once production is underway.

The following products will also be presented for the first time:

Lynx KF41 Skyranger 35, a highly mobile, modular and scalable ground-based air defence system, increasingly important for NATO’s collective defence.
CT-025: A crewless, remotely controlled turret designed for transport and armoured personnel carriers, equipped with a 25 mm KBA machine cannon
Mission Master CXT with Skyranger 762: An unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) in a light anti-aircraft configuration featuring the Skyranger 762 weapon station
SEOSS 400: Next-generation stabilised sensor system for heavy combat vehicles

We will also be providing information on the following topics at DSEI 2025:

Weapons and ammunition expertise:
Rheinmetall is one of the largest ammunition manufacturers in the Western world, with the UK playing a significant role. The construction of the UK Gun Hall in Telford marks a major step towards re-establishing large-calibre barrel manufacturing in Britain for the first time in decades. At its stand, Rheinmetall will present its full portfolio: from infantry weapons to medium-calibre ammunition, 120 mm and 130 mm smoothbore technology, 155 mm artillery ammunition, and rocket artillery.
Squad Support Weapon SSW40: The world’s first automatic, magazine-fed, shoulder-fired grenade launcher for 40 mm ammunition, with handling characteristics similar to an assault rifle
Digitalisation and networking:
Rheinmetall Battlesuite: A secure, interoperable military ecosystem of the future, connecting all domains and dimensions within a unified digital infrastructure
Gladius soldier system: Variants of the Gladius 2.0, also forming the basis of the German Armed Forces’ Future Soldier – Expanded System (IdZ-ES)
Autonomy and unmanned systems:
Path-A-Kit: Central to Rheinmetall’s autonomy strategy, winner of the ELROB 2024 competition in the Automated Convoy category. Rheinmetall will also establish a UK Advanced Land Autonomy Centre of Excellence. The Path-A-Kit is integrated into both the Mission Master CXT and the Ermine vehicle range.
Unmanned systems: A range of drones will be on display, including the Multi Mission Pod and FV-104 loitering munition, with demonstrations of their integration into the digital combat network.

Combat vehicles and tactical mobility:
Boxer MIV: The first British-built Boxer has rolled off the production line in Telford. Integration trials with the Javelin missile system have been successfully completed. A command post variant will be displayed in the DSEI Land Zone [N2-350], alongside a reconnaissance/heavy infantry weapon carrier version at the Rheinmetall stand.
Challenger 3: Initial mobility trials of the upgraded British main battle tank have been conducted. The Challenger 3 will also feature on the Static Display in the VIP area of the MOD Lounge.

Caracal: Developed in partnership with Mercedes-Benz and ACS Armoured Car Systems, the Caracal family offers a versatile, compact 4×4 platform for light forces, including airborne and special operations units.

Ermine tactical vehicle family: A next-generation mobility solution combining tactical transport with an integrated mobile energy source (microgrid) and designed for autonomous operation. Configurations include a UGV, side-by-side buggy, and quad. At DSEI 2025, a 4×4 quad bike and a 6×6 buggy variant will be displayed.

HX vehicle family: Renowned for outstanding mobility, versatility and optional high-level protection, this family supports a wide range of missions. A heavy HX 10×10 recovery vehicle will be on display.

We look forward to seeing you at our stand S9-110.

Posted in Digitization, DSEi, Mobility, Munitions, Press Release, weapons | Comments Off on Rheinmetall at DSEI 2025: Digitalisation – Autonomy – Mobility – Firepower

UVision Unveils AI-Based Common Operating System for Unified Loitering Munition Operations in Multi-Domain Environments

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025

The new AI-driven system orchestrates heterogeneous loitering munitions – rotary and fixed-wing – as a single integrated force for terrain dominance and cost-effective mission success

DSEI 2025, 9-12 September, London, Booth N10-310

DSEI 2025, London – September 2, 2025, UVision Air Ltd., a global pioneer in loitering munition systems, is unveiling a major advancement in autonomous warfare: an AI-based Common Operating System (COS) that serves as a unified platform for operating multiple loitering munitions of various classes, mission types, and deployment levels.

Designed for full interoperability, the COS enables seamless integration of rotary-wing platforms such as the Viper system by SpearUAV – operated at tactical team levels including squad, platoon, battalion, and beyond – alongside Uvision’s fixed-wing HERO family, including the long-range, high-payload HERO-120 and HERO-400. The result is a truly heterogeneous ecosystem, all operating under a single AI-powered control layer.

At the core of the system is a multi-layered AI engine that autonomously manages complex mission execution across a heterogeneous array of assets. Tasks are intelligently allocated: one munition may penetrate and disrupt electronic warfare defenses, another performs ISR and real-time target acquisition, and a third executes a coordinated precision strike. This mission-centricdistribution ensures real-time adaptability to evolving threats, delivering both terrain dominance and operational superiority.

The COS performs continuous optimization based on target profile, terrain, and platform availability, maximizing effect while minimizing resource expenditure. This allows commanders to make data-driven decisions on how many and which types of munitions to deploy for maximum mission effectiveness and cost-efficiency.

With an open-architecture design, UVision’s COS integrates seamlessly into existing command-and-control ecosystems, reducing barriers to adoption and enhancing cross-platform synergy.

Dr. Ran Gozali, CEO of UVision Air Ltd., stated:
“This new Common Operating System transforms loitering munitions into a smart, coordinated system-of-systems. It reflects UVision’s strategic shift toward integrated, modular combat solutions that are both operationally decisive and cost-effective. Forces no longer need to expend high-end weapons for every target. Instead, they can deploy the right capability for each mission and dominate the battlespace with agility and intelligence.”

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Saab Reveals New Counter-UAS Missile Nimbrix

Friday, August 29th, 2025

Saab has revealed Nimbrix, its first ever dedicated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) missile. The missile is developed to counter the increasing threat from small drones on the battlefield.

The fire-and-forget missile is being rapidly developed at Saab with the aim to deliver a system featuring a target seeker, a hard-kill warhead, and a small footprint – all at a low cost. The range will be up to 5 km with an active seeker to track its target. Its warhead can effectively engage and defeat UAS swarms using an air-burst mode.

“Nimbrix is our answer to the unmanned aerial threats which have escalated in the last few years. It is cost-effective which is critical given the proliferation of UASs on the battlefield. Nimbrix benefits from our long experience of air defence, together with an agile way of responding to new needs,” says Stefan Öberg, head of Saab’s business unit Missile Systems.

The missile operates as a ground-based system and can be operated independently or as part of a larger air defence system. With flexible mounting options to fit different customer requirements, Nimbrix can be mounted on various vehicles or in fixed configurations. The cost-effective nature of the missile contributes to maximising deployed numbers to generate sufficient air defence coverage.

Customer discussions are ongoing and Saab aims for first deliveries in 2026. Nimbrix will be showcased during DSEI in London, UK from 9-12 September 2025, at the Saab stand, N9-105.

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