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FN Awarded $9.9 Million Contract From U.S. Army and Navy for Machine Guns

March 5th, 2026

(McLean, VA — March 05, 2026) FN America, LLC, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $9.9 million contract to supply the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy with FN® M240B machine guns, continuing the supply of FN America’s longest-standing military weapons platform.

“This contract continues FN’s legacy of providing the most effective and advanced weapon systems for the warfighter,” said Jim Williams, Vice President, Military Programs for FN America, LLC. “The U.S. Army contract for the M240 machine gun was the first military contract FN was awarded and the first to be produced from our production facility in South Carolina. We’re incredibly honored to continue supporting the U.S. military with high-quality and reliable weapon systems for our servicemen and women.”

The FN® M240B, built on the M240 platform that was adopted and has been in use by the U.S. military since the late 1970s, is the “go-to/can-do” medium machine gun for all branches of the U.S. military. It offers unmatched reliability, extended range and an exceptional service life. This weapon’s high volume of fire makes it the principal suppressive firearm for the infantry platoon and company.

Chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, the M240B’s cold hammer-forged MIL-SPEC barrel has a hard-chromed bore for longer life, improved accuracy and maximum range of 3,725 meters. The receiver is machined steel and is equipped with a top-mounted MIL-STD-1913 optical rail. The crossbolt safety and curved trigger help enhance operator control.

“Since beginning our first production in 1981, FN has produced millions of firearms for the U.S. military at our Columbia, SC, manufacturing facility,” said Daryl Atkins, Director, Industrialized Weapons for FN America, LLC. “FN is extremely proud of the high-quality, reliable firearms we build for our military servicemen and women, and we look forward to continuing the tradition with this contract.”

Throughout its history, FN has been one of the largest suppliers of small arms to the U.S. military and continues to develop innovative, future technology. In addition to the M240 platform, the company currently holds contracts for the FN® M249, MK 46, MK 48, MK 17 and MK 20 SSR for USSOCOM and various other contracts.

More information about FN’s military contracts and military product line can be found here.

Posted in Army, Contracts, Press Release, USMC, weapons | 1 Comment »

Galvion Receives Batlskin Caiman Order for Another 29,000 Helmets, from the Canadian DND, Through NSPA

March 5th, 2026

Galvion, a world leader in innovative head protection systems and power and data management solutions, has received a new order from the Department of National Defence (DND) Canada for its flagship Batlskin Caiman® ballistic helmet systems. This latest order for an additional 29,000 helmets with two (2) helmet covers each, has been placed through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework contract.

Galvion was awarded the Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) programme contract in February 2023 for 2,100 helmets and 4,200 helmet covers. In July 2024, the DND exercised an option to order an additional 8,400 helmets and 16,800 helmet covers taking the total Canadian DICE order to 10,500 helmets and 21,000 covers, all successfully delivered. In July 2025 Galvion announced a third follow-on order, with delivery planned for early 2026. In total, the DICE contract orders total 15,000 helmets and over 30,000 covers. This latest order, for a further 29,000 this time through NPSA and outside of the original DICE programme contract, takes the total Caiman helmet systems ordered by the Canadian DND to over 44,000 helmets and over 100,000 covers.

Developed over a number of years with extensive SOF community collaboration and feedback and now fielded in the hundreds of thousands across multiple NATO countries, Galvion’s Caiman® helmet system delivers unmatched levels of weight and comfort, and is expressly designed to incorporate electronics, communications headsets, and other critical equipment needs, now and into the future. For this most recent NSPA order, Galvion will be supplying the DND with its NATO Caiman® helmet system, which features updated and robust rails, a breakaway harness and the latest improved version of its best-in-class APEX liner system. Ms Danielli, General and Cooperative Services Programme Manager, emphasized: “NSPA is proud to support the Canadian Armed Forces in delivering critical protective equipment to their troops. This procurement demonstrates the strength of our COMMIT partnership in providing nations with reliable and cost-effective solutions. Through the web-based platform of the NATO Logistics Stock Exchange (NLSE), NSPA accelerates procurement by consolidating national requirements and leveraging long-term framework contracts, enabling nations to translate urgent operational needs into timely, mission-relevant capabilities.”

Jonathan Blanshay, Executive Chairman at Galvion said: “We are exceedingly proud to receive yet another significant order from the Canadian DND taking the total to over 44,000 helmets in a four-year period, this time through the NSPA framework contract. Repeat orders like this demonstrate partner confidence and end-user satisfaction, both of which are core drivers for everything that we do at Galvion.” He added: “We continue to see significant increases in demand across all of our head system platforms, with the Caiman helmet seeing far and wide adoption beyond the SOF community, as evidenced by the continued receipt of orders from NATO countries through our NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework contract. For the Canadian DND to have adopted the NSPA model makes it very clear that the NSPA procurement route delivers advantages to NATO members on both sides of the Atlantic. Caiman, through NSPA, has now become the global head system of choice.”

Posted in Contracts, Helmets, International, NSPA, Press Release | Comments Off on Galvion Receives Batlskin Caiman Order for Another 29,000 Helmets, from the Canadian DND, Through NSPA

CTOMS Launches Customizable OTC System – Build Your Tactical Medication Kit

March 5th, 2026

CTOMS has launched its new OTC (Over-The-Counter) Drug Management System, a modular medication storage solution designed for tactical medics, first responders, and operational healthcare professionals.

The system features the rugged DrugBox™ (hard waterproof case) and the new OTC Cases (soft-sided with loop lined interior), both built for protection, quick access, and field utility.

Customization is the core of the system, configure your kit precisely with:

Custom Internal Foam – precision-cut inserts for secure vial and capsule storage

Drug Capsules – durable protective capsules in multiple sizes

MARS Panel 2.0 – modular panels for mounting and organizing additional items

Build Your System Online

Use the intuitive Drug Case Builder Tool to select case size, add foam inserts, MARS Panels, and capsules. Configure, review, and add to cart in minutes.

Start building here: ctomsinc.com/products/drug-case-builder

Full specs are in the OTC Drug Case System Spec Sheet on the site.

Visit ctomsinc.com to explore or head to the builder and customize your kit today.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Medical | Comments Off on CTOMS Launches Customizable OTC System – Build Your Tactical Medication Kit

Acquisition Reform Means a Focus on Warfighter Success

March 5th, 2026

The War Department aims to modernize how acquisition — the buying of weapons and other materiel from manufacturers — is done to ensure American warfighters get the best tools, at the right price, and as quickly as possible.

In November 2025, for instance, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced a reorganization of the existing program executive offices into portfolio acquisition executives.

“The acquisition chain of authority will run directly from the program manager to the PAE,” Hegseth said at the time. “Each PAE will be the single accountable official for portfolio outcomes and have the authority to act without running through months or even years of approval chains. And they’ll be held accountable to deliver results.”

The secretary said PAEs will be empowered with authorities to make decisions on cost, schedule and performance trade-offs that prioritize time to field and mission outcomes.

During a panel discussion yesterday as part of the Air and Space Forces Association’s warfare symposium in Aurora, Colorado, Air Force Gen. Dale R. White, director of critical major weapon systems, said that effort will be transformational in the acquisition community.

“I think now we take it down to the next level and just think about where we are with our [program offices], what we’re doing with the PAEs, giving them authority to make decisions in real time, make trades, and be able to do probably the most important thing with this whole transformation,” White said. “[And that] is not measure ourselves against acquisition outcomes but measure ourselves against mission outcomes, allowing that PAE to look at the operational problem and work to figure out a solution to that problem and be able to have the decision space to do so.”

White said it’s not just PAEs that must be empowered to do their job, but the acquisition enterprise as a whole must be aligned to make acquisition success about meeting mission requirements for the warfighter, not just a positive business outcome.

“We’re just not empowering PAEs; the idea is you get unity of command,” he said. “You get unity of effort. You allow that contracting officer to have a voice in solving that operational problem, that [financial management] person, that engineer; you change the cultural mindset of how we look at what we’re doing.”

There are plenty of examples, White said, of where there was acquisition success that didn’t result in operational mission success.

“We may have done well on the acquisition side, but how well did that align to the operational need and what we’re trying to do,” he asked. “It is really that hard reset. It’s the empowerment piece and changing the dynamic by which we study the problems that we have.”

For acquisition professionals, White said, acquisition reform will require them to lead with conviction.

“Lead with vision, lead ruthlessly and lead with an intent to solve the operational problem,” he said. “If you want to know what acquisition as a warfighting function means, it means come together as a team, the operational team, the acquiring team, and deliver on the outcome. Sometimes that means you’re going to make some tough decisions that you have to have courage to make; make the decision, drive for the outcome.”

By C. Todd Lopez, Pentagon News

Posted in Acquisition, Guest Post | Comments Off on Acquisition Reform Means a Focus on Warfighter Success

EagleNXT Advances Defense Initiatives in Poland Amid Market Expansion

March 4th, 2026

ALLEN, Texas, Feb. 25, 2026 — AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (dba, EagleNXT) (the “Company” or “EagleNXT”) (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of full stack drone, sensors and software solutions for customers worldwide in the commercial and government verticals, today highlighted significant momentum and expanding opportunities in Poland, after completion of a recent sale.

Poland has emerged as NATO’s top relative defense spender, allocating approximately 4.5% of GDP to defense in 2026, according to recent reports from the BBC and Reuters, far exceeding the alliance’s targets. This commitment, driven by heightened regional security needs, supports an ambitious multi-year modernization program focused on advanced capabilities, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS), sensors, and related technologies to enhance operational readiness and situational awareness.

“Poland’s leadership in defense spending, their vision for national defense and their access to major EU funding mechanisms create tremendous opportunities for innovative UAS providers like EagleNXT,” said Bill Irby, CEO of EagleNXT. “We are well-positioned to support Poland’s advanced defense and security environments.”

The momentum behind Poland’s defense spending intensified in January 2026, when the European Commission approved Poland’s national defense investment plan under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program. This unlocked approximately €43.7 billion in low-interest loans, enabling substantial investments in strategic unmanned systems and geospatial solutions. This is the largest SAFE allocation to any participating Member State.

EagleNXT’s in-country partner, Dilectro Enterprise, plays a pivotal role in delivering customer success, including training and support. As a proof point of this growing demand, EagleNXT successfully sold six eBee TAC tactical mapping drones to Polish customers through Dilectro in December 2025.

Building on this success and the broader market potential, EagleNXT and Dilectro will jointly participate in three major Polish trade shows in 2026 to showcase the eBee series of drones on the U.S. Department of Defense Blue UAS Cleared list:

Drone World Expo, March 3-5, 2026, at PTAK Warsaw Expo in Nadarzyn (near Warsaw), a premier event for drone technologies and unmanned systems applications.

POLSECURE, April 21-23, 2026, at Targi Kielce in Kielce, the leading international expo for public safety, critical infrastructure protection, and modern technologies for uniformed services.
MSPO (International Defense Industry Exhibition), September 8-11, 2026, also at Targi Kielce in Kielce, Central and Eastern Europe’s largest defense trade fair, drawing global leaders in military modernization.

These events offer prime opportunities to engage defense, government, and security stakeholders amid Poland’s accelerated push for advanced UAS solutions.

For more information about EagleNXT UAS solutions, to schedule a demonstration, or to connect at upcoming events, visit EagleNXT.com.

Posted in International, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on EagleNXT Advances Defense Initiatives in Poland Amid Market Expansion

X-Bow Completes Largest Privately-Funded Solid Rocket Motor Test by Non-Traditional Contractor

March 4th, 2026

X-Bow recently successfully completed testing of the XB-34 Ballesta SRM, one of the largest privately-funded solid rocket motors ever tested by a non-traditional defense contractor.

The 34.5-inch diameter XB-34 demonstrates X-Bow’s range from tactical 2-inch motors to strategic-class SRMs. Working Monday-to-Friday and sometimes Saturdays, they’ve tested nearly 300 motors.

This venture-backed, dual-use non-traditional, SRM is 30-50% cheaper than comparable existing options with scalable production at the company’s 220-acre facility, capable of producing thousands of motors annually.

Transition to Production: In the last 5 months X-Bow has secured three production contracts:

$191M production contract for solid rocket motors;

$8.9M production contract for igniters to strengthen their vertical integration, and supply chain;

Another $8.9M production contract for yet to be announced motor.

This achievement positions X-Bow as a key player in addressing the SRM shortage affecting various defense programs, and positions X-Bow for affordable solutions to futuristic challenges such as space-based interceptors as part of Golden Dome.

Posted in Manufacturing, weapons | Comments Off on X-Bow Completes Largest Privately-Funded Solid Rocket Motor Test by Non-Traditional Contractor

Roke USA – Perceive MR Antenna

March 4th, 2026

Part of Chemring Group, Roke USA specializes in electronic warfare systems.

The Perceive Multi Role antenna features a small form factor head for Adaptive Digital Beamforming and Super Resolution Direction Finding (separate multiple signals on same channel) including azimuth and elevation outputs.

Compatible with PREFIX2 and VIPER software it offers 100MHz instantaneous bandwidth covering 2MHz to 6GHz.

Posted in EW, Sensors | Comments Off on Roke USA – Perceive MR Antenna

TACNODE from Ci-Pher

March 4th, 2026

TACNODE is a multi-path, self-healing mesh network system (LORA Mesh) enabling the transfer of Position Location Information (PLI), voice-to-text, sensor integration, form transmission and Al-driven data transmission without relying on cellular or internet connectivity or other targetable infrastructure.

The data transfer rate is 300kbps (peak) and relies on AES256 onboard encryption.

www.ci-pher.net

Posted in Comms | Comments Off on TACNODE from Ci-Pher