This is Finnish company Varusteleka’s first outing at Enforce Tac and they’re featuring their new 7 layer clothing system.
This is their Layer 3 which is a simple Softshell jacket. It reminds me quite a bit of the original L5 jacket from SPEAR PCU so I really like the pocket layout. However, instead of EPIC fabric, it’s made from a lightweight but very durable Softshell weave.
Coming late Spring from www.varusteleka.com.
FORT NOVOSEL, Ala. — The U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence hosted its Unmanned Aircraft Systems Summit at Fort Novosel, from Feb. 10-13, 2025. The summit brought together subject matter experts and operators from around the world to discuss the future of UAS operations.
The summit, which included representatives from agencies such as Army Futures Command, DARPA, DEVCOM, the Department of Defense and the Army’s various Centers of Excellence, aimed to provide a platform for the sharing of lessons learned and the discussion of strategies to inform requirements moving forward.
Col. Joshua Ruisanchez, director of the U.S. Army Futures Command Aviation Capability Development Integration Directorate, highlighted the importance of air-ground integration as the Army continues to transform. The event provided a venue for discussing strategies and approaches moving forward, informed by current global conflicts and future military engagements. Different agencies working within the UAS space showcased their capabilities, which will inform future requirements.
“We’re learning from all the formations that brief this week on how they’re employing UAS, and we’re capturing those lessons learned,” said Col. Scott Shaw, Maneuver Capabilities, Development and Integration Directorate director from the Maneuver Center of Excellence. “We’re also learning from industry about the capabilities that are out there, and how they can help augment our operations.”
The summit included a range of units, including the 101st Airborne Division, the 82nd Airborne Division and the 75th Ranger Regiment, as well as representatives from Special Forces and other agencies.
“This is a great venue to bring in the air-ground integration as we continue to transform the Army,” said Shaw. “We’re seeing what’s happening in Ukraine and what we think the future of UAS operations will look like.”
The summit also included static displays of UAS systems by over 40 industry partners, as well as flight demonstrations.
“This is super important for the Army as a whole,” said Tyler Booth, the small UAS lead at Fort Novosel. “We’re bringing units from all over the UAS enterprise, and this event is a huge information-gathering and disseminating event. It’s also a chance for industry partners to showcase their UAS systems and demonstrate their capabilities.”
The event marked the first time that commercial UAS systems had been flown in such large numbers at Fort Novosel and required significant coordination and planning to ensure its success.
“It’s a large administrative task, and a lot goes into working with all these companies to ensure that we meet the requirements to be able to do this,” said Booth. “But it’s really great that we can do this here, and it’s a testament to the Army’s commitment to innovation and the development of new technologies.”
The summit was seen as a key step in the Army’s efforts to develop and integrate UAS systems into its operations, and to provide its warfighters with the capabilities they need to succeed on the battlefield.
“Robots, in and of themselves, are moderately interesting,” said Lt. Col. Michael Brabner, the Maneuver Center of Excellence’s Robotics Requirements Division chief. “But the effects they help commanders achieve, that’s the compelling piece of all this. We’re trying to give our warfighters the most lethal, apex-predator, robotic and autonomous systems that they can have to simply and intuitively employ on the battlefield to achieve the desired effects.”
Brabner explained that the Army must innovate during peacetime to avoid being reactive in combat situations. By partnering with industry, the Aviation Center of Excellence, and focusing on the end user — the maneuver warfighter — this summit allows the Army to capitalize on opportunities to innovate, learn, and form requirements. These efforts ensure that the Army can effectively fight and win large-scale combat operations.
The summit was part of a larger effort by the Army to develop and integrate UAS systems into its operations, and to provide its warfighters with the capabilities they need to succeed on the battlefield. As the Army continues to transform and adapt to new technologies and threats, events like the UAS Summit will play a critical role in shaping its future.
By Leslie Herlick, Fort Novosel Public Affairs Office
The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced its intention to award contract Colt Canada with a contract for the supply of C8 rifle spares and accessories, according to a tender notice published on 19 February 2025. The contract will run for an initial two-year period, with options to extend for a further three years. The contract covers essential components for the C8 rifle platform, a widely used firearm among UK specialist military units.
According to the MoD, the contract will “provide C8 Rifle Spares and Accessories for a period of 2 years with 3 option years”, ensuring continued support and maintenance of these critical weapons. The contract is expected to run from 8 August 2025 to 7 August 2027, with potential extensions based on operational requirements. The MoD has confirmed that the contract will be awarded without prior publication of a competitive tender, citing technical reasons under Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations (DSPCR) 2011. The justification states:
“It is considered that the award of the contract without prior publication of a contract notice in the UK e-notification service (as required by the relevant legislation) is lawful in accordance with Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the DSPCR 2011 for technical reasons.”
The MoD argues that Colt Canada Corporation is the only supplier capable of fulfilling this requirement, due to its “significant niche expertise, technical ‘know-how’ and acquired specific experience to source quality spares and manage the supply chain / delivery process.”
The Colt Canada C8 is designated as the L119A1/A2 in British service, is primarily used by the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) and certain specialised units which include:
Special Air Service
Special Boat Service
Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR)
Special Forces Support Group (SFSG)
Pathfinder Platoon (16 Air Assault Brigade)
43 Commando Royal Marines
Royal Military Police Close Protection Unit
The Colt Canada L119/A2 gained fame through media coverage of the rapid tactical response conducted by SAS operator Christian Craighead during the 2019 Al Shabab terror attack in Nairobi Kenya. Craighead worked with local Kenyan forces to engage Al Shabab terrorists and rescue hostages being held in the DusitD2 hotel complex, earning him the nickname ‘Obi Wan Nairobi’ and reinforcing the solid reputation of Colt Canada’s C8 as being the carbine of choice for some of the world’s most prestigious Tier 1 SOF units.
Oberkochen, Germany, 17. February 2025 – Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT has been awarded a contract by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to develop an innovative capability demonstrator for optical detection. The product, called ODAEON, is designed to revolutionise the capability for automated reconnaissance of enemy optical systems on the battlefield and will be developed in cooperation with BAAINBw.
The design phase of the project has already begun, after the first customer acceptance (concept review) was successfully completed in December 2024. The contract, which runs until the end of 2026, is worth 17.6 million euros.
The aim of the development is a demonstrator at technology readiness level six (TRL6), which is to be tested by BAAINBw from 2026. The innovative solution enables real-time detection, reporting and display of optical reconnaissance systems, such as enemy drones and optical target acquisition systems, to the crew. This represents a decisive time advantage.
ODAEON is based on the proven technology of the MUSS Jammer Head 2 (MJ2). The next step in the development of this advanced technology will be to enable the detection and analysis of enemy optics. Further protective functions, such as jamming and dazzling, can be added in subsequent development stages. Jamming interferes with electro-optical systems by means of targeted interference signals, while dazzling oversaturates optical systems such as cameras and target acquisition devices with strong light pulses. Both methods increase the protection of vehicles by effectively impairing enemy reconnaissance and target acquisition.
Multi-sensor approach: integration into existing systems
As a multi-sensor system, the series version of ODAEON will feature interfaces to existing systems and further sensory means to reduce possible false alarms. In a further step, the fusion of ODAEON and MUSS technologies is planned to ensure comprehensive protection. HENSOLDT is thus pursuing the strategic goal of consistently combining reconnaissance, situational awareness and self-protection in order to offer the user highly integrated systems with the corresponding added value.
“With ODAEON, we are responding to a central requirement of modern battlefields: The ability to detect threats from enemy optical systems at an early stage and to protect combat vehicle crews in real time using automated warning systems,” explains Dr. Oliver Rudow, Head of the “Survivability” product line at HENSOLDT. “This is a further step in equipping our armed forces with innovative technologies that not only increase their effectiveness but also improve their safety.”
UNITY™ Tactical, a designer of components that integrate tactical systems and optimize the human factor, unveiled the third product in its line of AXON™ switches – the three-button AXON XL – at Enforce Tac 2025.
Developed as part of a SOF requirement, AXON XL brings additional functionality to the industry-leading AXON family. A third button provides users with a dedicated visible laser override capability for the NGAL (LA-23/PEQ) laser. The forward two buttons feature the same tactile differentiation as AXON, while a prominent wall separates the flat (pill-shaped) center pad from the rear (round dome) button.
“We constantly seek to innovate and expand the capability of our product lines,” said Mike Roth, VP of business development for UNITY Tactical. “AXON XL is the direct result of customer feedback, bringing together a technically advanced and ergonomically correct solution in the same or smaller footprint as many two-button switches on the market, giving the end user utmost efficiency in space and capability.”
There are three non-restrictive versions of AXON XL. The angled button on one supports momentary and constant light activation. On the second, the angled button operates in a SYNC capacity, firing both white light and visible laser despite what mode the NGAL is physically set to (vis override). Also operating in SYNC, the angled button on the third version simultaneously fires white light and the laser in the mode the NGAL is physically set to (mode select). The front angled button supports both momentary and constant activation on SYNC variants as well.
The center and rear buttons fire in the same way across all three commercial variants. The center button fires the laser in the mode the NGAL is physically set to (mode select). The rear button fires the visible laser despite what mode the NGAL is physically set to (vis override). Both the center and rear buttons offer momentary-only and laser double-click-for-constant-on control.
AXON XL is only available for UNITY’s LINK™ USB-C System with GASCAP™, and NGAL (LA-23) lasers with versions for other next-generation / visible-override-capable devices available in the future.
At only 3.7 inches (9.4 centimeters) in length, AXON XL is1.03 inches shorter than UNITY’s first-ever two-button TAPS™ switch that launched in 2014 and has since been discontinued.
M1913 Rail Clamps include three pass-throughs for zip ties, with an M-LOK® Mounting Kit sold separately.
AXON XL is available in black and FDE and retails at $349. It is available for purchase now through authorized UNITY dealers, with orders starting to ship on or before March 7, 2025. AXON XL is on display at the UNITY Tactical stand #7-329 at Enforce Tac in Nürnberg, Germany from Feb. 24-26, 2025.
RTS Tactical doesn’t just make armor vests, they also offer armored shields like the Mini Shield we recently discussed.
If you’re looking for something a little more substantial, with a curved front and ballistic glass viewport, then you should check out their Lead Entry Shield.
Built and tested to NIJ 0101.07 RF1 standard (exceeds previous NIJ 06 Level III rating) the shield is 24″ x 36″ and weighs 26.4 lbs. The load is managaeble thanks to the Tri-Grip handle system.
The bolts are tested to RF1 standard with front, side and 30° angle impacts and the shield features RTS Tactical’s patent-pending boltless viewport which eliminates additional bolts and adhesives.
rtstactical.com/products/rts-tactical-lead-entry-ballistic-shield
Each year Helikon-Tex revives an old camouflage pattern. This year, it’s ERDL which was developed by the US Army’s Engineering, Research, and Development Lab (ERDL) in 1948 but didn’t see service until late in the Vietnam War on jungle fatigues. Eventually, the pattern was modified and became the Woodland camo pattern in 1981.
They always have the best displays. Seen here is the Helikon-Tex Raid Shirt and Treadstone Jeans.
Well known for their innovation in materials and design, Tilak makes outdoor, military and high end street wear (think cyber punk).
This year at Enforce Tac they are debuting the Malibu, their Lightweight Combat Shirt, and by lightweight, I mean lightweight. Developed in conjunction with their National SF unit, it is made from Polartec Powder Dry and a Lightweight Softshell shoulder and yoke, neither of which holds perspiration or water.
Feature driven, it sports a Roman collar, a long hem to stay tucked in and flat seams for comfort, an integrated pocket on each sleeve with a pass through flap and Velcro panel.
Available in Small – XXLarge in MultiCam, Black, and Khaki.
