The New iTWB

Elbit Systems UK Plays Key Role in Landmark Live Virtual Constructive Training Exercise

September 9th, 2026

Colchester, UK 08 September 2026 – Elbit Systems UK (ESUK) has partnered with the British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team to use its in-service training systems to undertake one of the largest live virtual constructive training exercises in the UK. The exercise, which included over 300 soldiers ranging from dismounted close combat to logistics, used the full suite of ESUK’s integrated Recce Strike Training System (RSTS). This includes the Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer (JFST), Deployable Virtual Constructive Simulator (DVCS), and Interim Indirect Fires Simulation (IIDFS). The partnership approach saw ESUK tailor each system to meet the soldiers’ needs. 

The Live Virtual Constructive Training, known as Exercise Pegasus Athena, was undertaken over three days with JFST, DVCS and IIDFS integrated for the first time with the British Army. Soldiers were able to find targets using JFST and call in fires from the teams using IIDFS to strike these targets with the effect seen across all the simulators. DVCS was used to provide the synthetic layer where all virtual and live events were recorded, as well as providing the system for drone pilot operations. Alongside the integration of the three in-service training capabilities, ESUK was also able to collect data to measure outcomes and assess performance.  

As well as the use of synthetic training, the exercise included realistic operational situations, including ammunition resupplies, dismounted combat operations and vehicle manoeuvres.  Air assets were also deployed throughout the week, with Chinook helicopters being used to reposition the light guns during the exercise.  

This training exercise was the first demonstration of ESUK’s integrated Recce Strike Training Solution, showcasing the value of integrated high-tech solutions provided to the British Army. It represents a step change in capability for the Armed Forces, allowing troops to conduct live and virtual training without the need for external assets and at a much lower cost than live fire exercises, without using ammunition stockpiles. 

An Elbit Systems UK spokesperson said: “This exercise demonstrated what is possible when our training systems operate as an integrated capability, delivering the high-fidelity and operationally realistic training that our Armed Forces demand. As the first use of our integrated RSTS offer, it validates the concept and the technology, and we are looking at future opportunities to deploy this capability with the UK, as well as potential opportunities internationally.” 

A 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team spokesperson said: “The integration of live and virtual constructive training has added a level of realism to our training that would be unachievable on a normal field exercise. ESUK’s support was important to the success of the exercise.”

FlyFocus to Unveil Polish-Made TASACK Precision Loitering Munition at MSPO 2026

September 9th, 2026
  • New 110-km system combines cost-focused design, top-attack capability and a predominantly Polish-made technology stack
  • TASACK is a new 15 kg precision loitering munition with a flight range of up to 110 km and 5 kg payload
  • A stabilised EO/IR gimbal enables operators to identify and track targets and execute attack profiles ranging from flat to vertical
  • Simplified internal and external architecture is designed to reduce production costs, with the majority of components manufactured in Poland
  • A point-and-click interface allows operators to engage targets without requiring the extensive piloting skills conventional FPV systems demand
  • FlyFocus debuts TASACK on 8 September at MSPO in Kielce, Poland

WARSAW, Poland (September 8, 2026) — FlyFocus, a Polish defence technology company specialising in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and avionics, unveiled TASACK, its new precision loitering munition, for the first time at MSPO 2026 in Kielce, Poland. With its interface built around a point-and-click design, TASACK’s operator does not need real piloting skills to engage a target, unlike conventional FPV systems, which require extensive pilot training.

Designed for precision engagement of stationary and moving targets, TASACK combines a flight range of up to 110 kilometres with a 5 kg payload and speeds of up to 300 km/h. The system has been engineered around a deliberately simplified, modular architecture intended to reduce manufacturing costs while allowing rapid assembly, maintenance and upgrades as operational requirements change.

A key feature is TASACK’s stabilised daylight or infrared gimbal, which provides visual targeting and enables operators to approach targets using attack profiles ranging from flat trajectories to near-vertical top attacks. This allows the system to observe and track targets before engaging them from the most appropriate direction. The system provides visual targeting accuracy of 1 m CEP50, according to FlyFocus specifications.

The majority of TASACK’s components, including its gimbal, are manufactured in Poland. This continues FlyFocus’ broader strategy of building unmanned systems around secure, NATO-aligned supply chains while retaining control over critical UAV technologies.

“TASACK has been designed around what we believe matters most for this class of system: precision, simplicity and the ability to manufacture at meaningful scale,” said Igor Skawi?ski, CEO and co-founder of FlyFocus. “Modern militaries need sophisticated capabilities, but they also need systems that can be produced affordably, deployed quickly and adapted as battlefield conditions change. Our objective with TASACK is to bring those requirements together in one platform.”

TASACK also shares a common ground control interface with FlyFocus’s existing Polaris, CableGuard and Striker platforms. By maintaining a consistent operator environment across different UAV classes, FlyFocus aims to reduce the additional training required when personnel move between systems.

The 15 kg electrically powered aircraft can remain airborne for up to 1.5 hours and provides an 80 km datalink range. Midcourse navigation combines enhanced GNSS and inertial navigation, with radio-navigation available as an option. The modular airframe can accommodate different warheads depending on mission requirements and can be prepared for launch in approximately five to seven minutes.

TASACK is presented publicly for the first time at MSPO alongside FlyFocus’s wider portfolio of unmanned systems and avionics. The company expects TASACK to achieve production readiness in Q1 2027.

Beretta 500-Year Anniversary: New 92FS Diamond

September 9th, 2026

The brightest tribute to perfection.

Gardone Val Trompia, June 26th, 2026 – Beretta continues its extraordinary streak of oneofakind creations celebrating its 500year anniversary with a new pinnacle of design and manufacturing perfection. A contemporary reimagining of an exceptional historic oneoff, this piece pays tribute to what is perhaps the most iconic expression of Beretta excellence: the 92FS. The 92FS Diamondstands as a singular creation – an object that transcends time and nature to embody the very essence of luxury: the diamond. More than a handgun, it is a rare jewel, a work of art conceived for those who appreciate beauty in its purest and most unattainable form.

Carlo Gussalli Beretta, PB Selection Business Development Managerof Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A., has declared: “In 2010, Beretta created the 92 Diamond – a unique piece featuring 1193 gem-set stones, for a total of 90 carats.  The solid base was our 92 FS semi-automatic pistol, the legendary sidearm adopted by many police corps and armies worldwide. This piece is kept in the Beretta Private Collection and always attracts a lot of interest from visitors. We decided to create a contemporary version of this masterpiece, a tribute to extreme luxury – but keeping the elegance and modern design that made Italy and the Beretta 92 the cultural icons they are still today.”

The sculpted lines of the 92 FS Diamond draw inspiration from the geometry of the diamond – sharp edges, faceted surfaces, and volumes shaped to capture and reflect light trough the frame, the slide, the hammer, the trigger guard, and the magazine pad. A notable example lies in the slide serrations: emerging from the geometric pattern milled into the sides, each form evolves from a truncated pyramid into a sharper, more pronounced volume, resulting in a seamless convergence of design and function. The grip panels, carved from solid white gold, are set one stone at a time with 144 natural diamonds each—an exacting process that extends to four white gold inserts, where triangle?cut diamonds are seamlessly integrated into the frame and slide. Two little round diamonds are also set into the rear sight. In total, the piece brings together 335 grams of 18?carat gold and 14.5 carats of diamonds – an exceptional composition where technical mastery meets the pure language of high creation.

As explained by Marco Martelli, Head of Design: “Simply applying diamonds to a 92 was not what we were looking for. That had already been done with the old 92 Diamond. This time, the intention was to develop an all-round aesthetic inspired by the way light reflects off precious gems. So how could we evoke the idea of diamonds in the design of the pistol without distorting the iconic lines of the 92? The multifaceted shapes of diamonds were the general inspiration for creating a geometric pattern on the metal parts, which allowed the stones to be integrated naturally without disrupting the shapes. The iconic features of the gun were meticulously enriched with bevels and facets to create harmony and become part of the unique design of this pistol.”

A true challenge in both industrial and technical design, the project demanded an extensive exploration of every surface and geometry. It required not only in?depth research, but also rigorous engineering validation and advanced manufacturing processes—to preserve the intrinsic functionality of the Beretta 92 while redefining its form.

Emanuele Cecchel, PB Selection Platform Manager, explains: “A huge design challenge was developing the inserts guaranteeing on one hand the robustness of the gun and on the other the possibility to disassemble the inserts for future maintenance. The lines created required exploring new machining technologies from other industries, such as watchmaking.”

Entirely crafted from solid steel, the 92FS Diamond reaches the apex of its transformation in the PB Selection Custom Shop in Gardone Val Trompia, Italy. Here, through time, precision, and the hands of master gunsmiths, each component is meticulously fitted and brought to a flawless mirror polish – surface after surface, until light itself becomes part of the design.

Honoring Beretta’s remarkable legacy, a dedicated 500 Year logo is discreetly engraved at the angle of the slide, while a golden accent along its upper slide recalls the first spark ignited in Bartolomeo’s forge – still alive today. The signature of Pietro Beretta -the first to bring the art of fine firearms into the realm of Beretta – flows uninterrupted along the barrel, echoing the PB shield subtly carved into the diamond?set grips.

Irene Ferlito, PB Selection Product Manager, concluded:

“At the heart of Beretta’s 500th anniversary collection, 92 FSDiamond stands as the brightest tribute to perfection. Completing the masterpiece is a forged aluminum case, designed to echo the style of high-end jewelry safes – clean lines, solid structure, and an aesthetic that belongs to the world of rare treasures. The interior, finished in a deep blue custom French fitting and entirely handcrafted by the PB Selection gun case atelier, reflects the same pursuit of excellence.Every detail is considered, every element precisely executed – an expression of Pietro Beretta Selection’s commitment to delivering a truly bespoke experience.”

Founded in 1526 in Gardone Val Trompia (Italy) by the Beretta Family, who has now been leading the company for 15 generations, Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. is an international manufacturer of commercial firearms, military weapons and products designed for outdoor sports such as hunting, competition, and tactical shooting. Beretta operates in the world to support outdoors lovers, defense and law enforcement officers, providing them with a complete ecosystem (firearms, clothing, accessories and services) and featuring the most modern technologies, assembly lines, quality control and local highly qualified workers, who hand down the Italian tradition of gun-smithing since the Renaissance. All this represents an irreplaceable asset to achieve the degree of accuracy and quality that made Beretta a world-renowned brand.

With more than 50 global subsidiaries, Beretta Holding Group stands as a world-renowned leader with a distinguished reputation in the fields of hunting, sports shooting, and defense & law enforcement sectors thanks to its wide selection of premium products.

Magpul Gloves Now Available in MultiCam

September 9th, 2026

Magpul has added MultiCam as color option to their popular glove line on two models: the Patrol Glove 2.0 and the Technical Glove 2.0.

PATROL GLOVE 2.0

The Magpul Patrol Glove 2.0 is a full-coverage glove built for articulation. A goatskin palm delivers durability and traction, while a wrap-up finger pattern and articulated palm let the glove close around a grip instead of fighting it.Padded knuckle panels flex where your fingers do and take the impact. Across the back, corded stretch nylon moves with the hand and holds its shape through the work. The MultiCam version is built with a standard stretch nylon back.

Features:

  • Goatskin palm for durability and grip
  • Wrap-up finger and articulated palm pattern for dexterity
  • Padded knuckle panels for impact protection and articulation
  • Corded stretch nylon back for flexible, low-bulk coverage
  • Ambidextrous touchscreen-capable thumbs
  • MultiCam version built with standard stretch nylon back

TECHNICAL GLOVE 2.0

The Magpul Technical Glove 2.0 is the lightest, most tactile glove we make. A synthetic suede full palm withstands abrasion and delivers grip, while a four-way stretch corduroy back moves with the hand for mobility without bulk. Soft suede on the back of the thumb doubles as a thumb wipe. A compression-molded neoprene cuff with a laser-cut edge sits secure with no binding, and conductive thumb, index, and middle fingertips on both hands keep you on-screen without pulling the gloves off.

Features:

  • Synthetic suede full palm for abrasion resistance and grip
  • Four-way stretch corduroy back panel for mobility and durability
  • Soft suede thumb back that doubles as a thumb wipe
  • Ambidextrous three-finger touchscreen capability
  • Compression-molded neoprene cuff, laser-cut edge for a secure no-bind fit
  • Leather loop and cuff pull tabs for hanging and easy on/off

Available in sizes from Small to 2XL.

MATBOCK: Ready to support EOY Requirements

September 9th, 2026

We have invested heavily in inventory and production capacity to reduce our lead times for the end-of-year push; we currently have over 200 – Multicam® Front Raider Pouches in stock.

Here is a full breakdown of our current lead times.

Anything not listed above will take 4-6 weeks.

Please reach out to sales@matbock.com to get a quote today or call (757) 384-1338 for assistance.

GPS-Free Test Flight Success Marks Critical Advance for Aviation, National Security

September 9th, 2026

The Defense Innovation Unit’s latest quantum sensing milestone shows aircraft can safely and accurately navigate vast stretches of ocean without relying on the same GPS that millions of civilians use to move through traffic.

The groundbreaking flight test was a success for MagNav, DIU’s magnetic navigation program, and is a critical advancement for the future of aviation and national security.

“This is a significant win for the department’s quantum sensing priorities, showcasing that MagNav capabilities are no longer a distant research goal,” said Kyle Norman, deputy director of DIU’s Kill Web portfolio. “We moved from problem sourcing to solicitation to prototype in a matter of months.”

The MagNav program launched in spring 2024 under the name “Transition of Quantum Sensing.” A total of 72 companies submitted applications to the commercial solutions opening, with Honeywell Aerospace ultimately selected to move forward with prototype development.

MagNav systems use quantum sensors to read the Earth’s natural magnetic field, turning the planet’s crust into an invisible, unjammable map that allows pilots to navigate safely regardless of weather, time of day or GPS availability.

The Earth’s magnetic field cannot be spoofed or blocked by hostile forces, Norman said. The new technology also significantly improves on legacy backup options such as radar mapping or visual cues like rivers, highways and cities.

The system was installed aboard an Embraer 170 aircraft to demonstrate real-world capabilities. The route took the aircraft over the Pacific Ocean, from Seattle’s Puget Sound to southern Alaska and back.

After four hours and 23 minutes of flying over the ocean without GPS, the MagNav system improved position accuracy by 89% compared to traditional backup navigation methods. The navigation data streamed directly to the pilots in real time via standard tablets, showing that military personnel can field the technology without a massive overhaul of cockpit instruments.

The test mission also added the complexity of the ocean surface — a featureless, constantly shifting expanse that would traditionally require internal sensors in the absence of GPS.

The problem, however, is that classical sensors drift over time. What starts as a small miscalculation can become a massive, dangerous deviation if left unchecked. By reading the Earth’s magnetic signatures, MagNav gives pilots a highly accurate, continuous map even when no visible landmarks exist.

Honeywell and DIU are preparing to demonstrate the technology on a U.S. military C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft later this year. By proving that aircraft can maintain pinpoint accuracy over the featureless ocean without GPS, the War Department is taking a significant step toward ensuring that military and commercial pilots can safely reach their destinations, no matter what happens to the satellite networks above them.

By Defense Innovation Unit Staff

Safran Selected to Supply MOSKITO and SHARPCROW Observation Systems for the Bundeswehr

September 8th, 2026

As the prime contractor of the Infanterist der Zukunft program on behalf of the Bundeswehr, Rheinmetall Electronics has placed a major order with Safran Electronics & Defense, building on the long-standing and successful collaboration between the two companies. Under this contract, Safran Electronics & Defense will deliver a significant volume of optronic systems, including over a thousand MOSKITO systems and several hundred SHARPCROW systems to equip the Bundeswehr’s medium and heavy infantry forces.

?As part of this program, Safran Electronics & Defense has been selected to provide advanced portable observation systems that enable German infantry forces to better understand their environment, detect and identify targets, and quickly share critical information on the battlefield.

The MOSKITO is a compact, lightweight multifunction observation system combining day and night vision, laser range-finding and precise target geolocation. It enables rapid detection, identification and localization of targets across a wide range of operational environments.

The SHARPCROW is a handheld electro-optical observation system integrating thermal imaging, low-light imaging, a direct optical day channel, target location capabilities and digital reporting functions. Together, these features provide enhanced situational awareness and support faster, more informed tactical decision-making.

“This new order underscores the Bundeswehr’s confidence in our technologies and in our ability to equip the modern soldier with the advanced capabilities required for today’s land operations. We are proud that these systems will be manufactured in Germany by Safran Electronics & Defense, further strengthening our partnership with the Bundeswehr and the German defense industry.” said Marzell Schiller, CEO of Safran Electronics & Defense Germany.

The Bundeswehr is accelerating the modernization of its dismounted forces through additional procurements under the proven Infanterist der Zukunft (“Infantryman of the Future”) soldier system. As the German Armed Forces’ flagship infantry modernization program, Infanterist der Zukunft aims to enhance soldiers’ effectiveness, survivability, command and control, mobility and endurance by equipping them with advanced, digitally connected capabilities.

ORIGIN and WITU Unveil BLAZE with Latest Version of Warhead at MSPO

September 8th, 2026
  • Latvia’s ORIGIN is introducing its autonomous counter-drone interceptor BLAZE at MSPO with the latest version of a directional fragmentation warhead developed by Poland’s WITU (Wojskowy Instytut Techniczny Uzbrojenia).
  • The module was engineered by WITU specifically for BLAZE and the demands of modern counter-drone operations, combining a focused effect against aerial targets with multiple layers of mechanical, electronic and software-controlled safety.
  • The warhead carries a NATO stock number, making BLAZE the first NATO-codified interceptor drone available with a STANAG-compliant warhead module.
  • ORIGIN is scaling manufacturing partnerships across Europe to meet growing demand from NATO countries.

RIGA, Latvia & KIELCE, Poland (8 September 2026) –  ORIGIN, the Latvian defence technology company, and Poland’s Military Institute of Armament Technology (WITU, Wojskowy Instytut Techniczny Uzbrojenia) are introducing BLAZE, an autonomous counter-drone interceptor, with the latest version of a directional fragmentation warhead, at MPSO in Kielce. WITU designed the warhead specifically for ORIGIN’s BLAZE, combining a focused effect against aerial targets with multiple layers of mechanical, electronic and software-controlled safety. The module carries a NATO stock number, making BLAZE the first NATO-codified interceptor drone available with a STANAG-compliant warhead module.

The BLAZE warhead is a compact directional high-explosive fragmentation module built specifically for intercepting unmanned aerial threats. Rather than adapting an existing munition, WITU engineered the warhead from the outset as an integral part of BLAZE. Weighing 700 grams, it directs a concentrated pattern of high-velocity steel fragments toward the target, delivering the required effect while keeping the interceptor light and agile.

WITU designed and built the Electronic Safe and Arm Device (ESAD), the electronic system that governs how and when the warhead activates. The explosive charge, directional fragmentation package, electronically controlled fuze and mechanical safety mechanisms are combined within a single precision-engineered module. The warhead remains safely disarmed until defined flight conditions are met, can be armed and disarmed repeatedly in flight, and automatically returns to a safe state if an engagement is cancelled, allowing BLAZE to return and land. It initiates at a precisely controlled moment during the terminal intercept.

Col. Piotr Ruli?ki, Head of the Center for Ballistics and Unmanned Systems at the Military Institute of Armament Technology (WITU), said: “The ESAD we built for ORIGIN’s BLAZE meets the same safety and standardisation requirements we apply across our work for the Polish armed forces. We designed it from the ground up for counter-drone engagements, with the safety and control features that mission demands. Partnering with ORIGIN lets our expertise support allied NATO forces, which is a good example of how Polish and Baltic industry can build on each other’s strengths.”

Beyond the WITU partnership, ORIGIN has partnered with several electronics manufacturers with operations across Europe to scale up production of BLAZE interceptors to meet growing demand from NATO countries. In line with the interceptor’s modular design, this lets end users take on a larger share of their own supply chain where that suits their procurement needs. 

Origin’s BLAZE interceptor will be showcased at WITU’s stand (booth number: 2-E08) at MSPO in Kielce, Poland from 8 to 11 September 2026.