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Major Historic International Contract for Rheinmetall: Romania Orders Lynx Combat Vehicles, Vessels and Air Defence Systems Worth a Total of €5.7 billion

June 4th, 2026

Rheinmetall has secured the largest international contract package in the company’s recent history. Romania has now commissioned the Düsseldorf-based technology group to carry out extensive defence projects.

The contract package was awarded on 29 May 2026 by the Directorate General for Armaments and falls under the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme. The contracts for the manufacture of combat vehicles, air defence systems, ammunition and ammunition components and naval vessels have a total value of €5.7 billion. The relevant contracts have now been signed. To fulfil the orders, Rheinmetall will significantly expand its existing capacities in Romania, which have been in place for many years, and will also ensure technology transfer. A large proportion of the value added will be generated in this NATO and EU member state. Deliveries are scheduled to begin 2028 and be completed by 2030.

The defence projects now commissioned include:

• 298 Lynx vehicles, a latest-generation family of combat vehicles. The majority will be armoured personnel carriers, along with reconnaissance, command post and medical variants;
• Skyranger air defence systems, also based on the Lynx. Until these are introduced, Rheinmetall will keep the Gepard anti-aircraft gun armoured vehicles currently in use operational;
• medium-calibre ammunition for air defence and armoured personnel carriers;
• two offshore patrol vessels;
• two diver support vessels. All vessels are based on the proven design of the new Naval Systems segment.

Rheinmetall is set to invest several hundred million euros in Romania, with a significant proportion of the value added being generated in this NATO and EU member state on the Alliance’s eastern flank. The project is expected to create thousands of new jobs. Over 200 subcontractors will be integrated into the supply network.
Romania is already one of Rheinmetall’s home markets. Its subsidiary Rheinmetall Automecanica, based in Medias, has been active there for many years. The major contracts now awarded will also be carried out at other sites.

Mihai Jurca, Head of the Prime Minister’s Office and Coordinator of the inter-institutional working group on the implementation of the SAFE Plan, said: “The contract concluded between the Romanian authorities and Rheinmetall represents not only an opportunity to modernise Romania’s defence capabilities, but also an important step towards revitalising the national defence industry, as over 50% of production will take place in Romania or in collaboration with local companies. It marks the beginning of a new phase of industrial development that has the potential to become a key driver of Romania’s economic growth and the integration of local industry into the European ecosystem over the next decade.”

“This is a significant success for us. We are grateful for the trust that Romania has placed in us regarding the equipping and modernisation of its armed forces,” said Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG. “Together with our Romanian partners, we will establish a far-reaching defence ecosystem here. This also confirms our ambition to further expand our role as one of the industrial pillars of European security.”

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Gogo secures $7.5 million NOAA Contract, Providing Mission-Critical Communications Services for ‘Hurricane Hunter’ Aircraft

June 4th, 2026

SD Government, a Gogo company serving the military and government markets, has secured a significant multi-year blanket purchase agreement (BPA) with the United States Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to support essential airborne “Hurricane Hunting” activities via satellite communications, ahead of the 2026 hurricane season.

Broomfield, Colo. / 4 June 2026 – SD Government, a Gogo (NASDAQ: GOGO) company serving the military and government markets, announced today that it has secured a multi-year framework contract from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This contract supports the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center (AOC), home to the renowned Hurricane Hunter fleet, including the Lockheed Martin WP-3D aircraft known as “Kermit” and “Miss Piggy,” among others. These aircraft provide essential research data, enabling effective, real-time, actionable information.

The agreement includes a total obligation of $7.5 million for SD Government to deliver a comprehensive mission communications solution. This includes L-Band satellite communications (SATCOM), ground infrastructure, and cybersecurity solutions via Gogo’s data center in Melbourne, Florida, along with Gogo’s FlightDeck Freedom cockpit datalink software suite, ensuring reliable communications and streamlined flight operations ahead of the upcoming hurricane season.

“NOAA is a trusted global leader in airborne research, offering life-saving services to the U.S. and other nations. We’re proud to support the delivery of vital data from the storm’s eye to decision-makers, utilizing our robust and reliable networks and infrastructure,” says Ben Massey, Senior Vice President of Government Sales at Gogo.

Posted in Aviation, Comms, Press Release | No Comments »

Milrem Robotics and VDL Defentec Hand Over First UGVs Intended for Ukraine

June 4th, 2026

Milrem Robotics, the world’s leading developer of robotics and autonomous systems, and Dutch company VDL Defentec have officially opened a THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) production line in Born, the Netherlands. During yesterday’s opening ceremony, the first THeMIS vehicles manufactured in the Netherlands were handed over to the Dutch government for onward delivery to Ukraine.

The production line was established to support the Netherlands-funded delivery of more than 100 THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine. Deliveries are being coordinated through Milrem Robotics’ Dutch subsidiary in cooperation with VDL Defentec.

The final assembly line established at the Born facility has been designed for flexibility, enabling rapid scaling of production capacity and accelerated deliveries when required. In addition to supporting Ukraine, the new manufacturing capability lays the foundation for long-term cooperation between Milrem Robotics and VDL Defentec while strengthening Europe’s defence industrial capacity.

“The opening of this production line and the handover of the first THeMIS vehicles manufactured in the Netherlands mark an important milestone in our cooperation with the Dutch government and VDL Defentec. It demonstrates that Europe’s defence industry is capable of rapidly increasing production capacity and delivering meaningful capabilities to Ukraine. Therefore, this cooperation with VDL is a great fit because of their solid industrial scaling capabilities to serve the European market with Milrem products,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.

Willem van der Leegte, CEO of VDL Groep, highlighted the importance of European industrial cooperation: “The handover of the first THeMIS vehicles produced at our Born facility demonstrates that European companies can jointly establish new manufacturing capabilities at speed and support international security efforts. We are proud of our cooperation with Milrem Robotics, and the delivery of the first THeMIS vehicles manufactured in the Netherlands is an important achievement for this partnership.”

The new vehicles will join the THeMIS platforms already operating in Ukraine since 2022, where they have repeatedly proven their reliability and effectiveness in combat conditions.l

THeMIS is a versatile unmanned ground vehicle designed to support infantry units in logistics, reconnaissance, combat support, and other battlefield tasks. The platform is currently in use or part of robotics programmes in 20 countries, making it the world’s most widely used UGV in its class.

Milrem Robotics is a global leader in robotics and autonomous systems development, with offices in Estonia, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Poland, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.

In addition to the THeMIS UGV, Milrem Robotics is developing the HAVOC robotic combat vehicle, the VECTOR unmanned ground vehicle, and a range of autonomous capabilities, including the ARCOS command-and-control system.

The company is also known for successfully leading the European defence development programme iMUGS under the EDIDP framework, with the follow-on project iMUGS2 currently in preparation.

Posted in International, Press Release, Robotics | No Comments »

Lockheed Martin Demonstrates First-Ever Sanctum C-UAS Launch From GRIZZLY Containerized Launcher

June 4th, 2026

Sanctum™ C-UAS, GRIZZLY™ Containerized Launcher and JAGM Missile successfully integrated and was delivered in under 45 days to defeat Group 3 one-way attack drones.

BETHESDA, Md., June 3, 2026 — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) successfully intercepted a Group 3 one-way attack test drone using a Joint-Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) launched from a GRIZZLY™ containerized launcher for the first time. Sanctum Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) battle manager and Fortem R-40 Radars were used for the successful detection, tracking and engagement of the drone target.

THE BIG PICTURE

Sanctum’s sensors detected and tracked a hostile Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the Sanctum mission management software processed the engagement, and the GRIZZLY launcher fired a JAGM missile neutralizing the target. With integration of hardware-in-the-loop and live-fire testing completed in under 45 days, this event highlights Lockheed Martin’s ability to demonstrate an end to end solution with speed, agility and affordability; critical attributes in today’s rapidly evolving drone-threat environment.

Built on existing prototype architecture, GRIZZLY enables users to employ the ready-to-fire Sanctum C-UAS system without extensive infrastructure and logistical footprints. By integrating advanced sensor, battle management and missile technologies, Lockheed Martin delivers a decisive C-UAS capability that aligns with our customers’ needs for agile and distributed lethality.

WHY IT MATTERS

Scalable Detection & Deployment: Small footprint radar sites with distributed sensors offer configurable coverage options. Containerized launcher can be mounted on ground sites or maritime platforms, supporting distributed operations with minimal logistical footprint.

Distributed Connectivity: Wireless communication solution between radars, battle management and launcher allows for rapid and agile deployment.

Affordable Lethality: Low-cost, commercial sensors, toolless reload and eight-round capacity reduces sustainment expenses while maintaining high-volume firepower.

End-to-End Multi-Mission Capability: Radar, battle management, proven-weapon container and existing layered effectors integrated through Sanctum C-UAS Battle Management software for a complete kill web against group 1-4 UAV threats. This integration will protect forward operating bases, critical assets and maritime platforms.

JAGM Layered Defense: JAGM’s dual mode seeker (SAL/MMW), combined with its C-UAS capability, provides a cost-effective effector that can be rapidly deployed from a multi-missile launcher across a variety of domains, providing enhanced layered defense to protect high?value assets.

EXPERT PERSPECTIVES

“The ability to integrate GRIZZLY’s proven launch architecture with Sanctum’s battle manager on an accelerated timeline demonstrates how Lockheed Martin is applying battlefield innovation and cross-program collaboration to rapidly deliver layered defense capabilities to the warfighter,” said Randy Crites, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Advanced Programs. “This test demonstrated a modular, affordable point-defense solution that can be quickly scaled and deployed across multiple domains to counter evolving threats.”

“This test demonstrates a rapid, low-cost and modular point-defense solution that can be deployed on land or maritime platforms within days,” said Paul Lemmo, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Sensors, Effectors and Mission Systems. “The demonstrated kill chain can operate standalone or integrated with higher echelon command and control systems through the Sanctum mesh network, showing our commitment to meet our customers’ toughest missions.”

Posted in C-UAS, Press Release | No Comments »

Registration Opens for SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range 2027

June 4th, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOULDER CITY, Nev. – June 3, 2026 – Registration is now open for exhibitors participating in the 22nd annual SHOT Show® Industry Day at the Range™, taking place Monday, January 18, 2027, at the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club in Boulder City, Nevada. Held the day before SHOT Show®, the event continues to serve as the shooting sports industry’s premier live product experience and the official kickoff to SHOT Show week.

Industry Day at the Range gives exhibitors a powerful opportunity to introduce new products, generate media coverage and connect face-to-face with influential voices across the firearms, hunting, outdoor and tactical markets. From hands-on demonstrations to live content creation, the event creates meaningful engagement that extends well beyond the range and throughout SHOT Show week.

The morning session is reserved exclusively for qualified media, influencers and ambassadors, offering exhibitors dedicated time to showcase products and facilitate testing in an authentic range environment. Beginning at noon, the event expands to invited industry professionals, retailers, distributors and commercial buyers representing military, law enforcement and tactical channels. Guests of exhibiting SHOT Show companies are also invited to attend, creating even greater opportunities for networking and business development.

“Industry Day continues to be one of the most valuable opportunities for exhibitors to build momentum before SHOT Show officially begins,” said Kelsey Puryear, Industry Day at the Range manager. “The event allows brands to connect directly with the media, creators and buyers who shape purchasing decisions and industry conversations throughout the year.”

Supported by the National Shooting Sports Foundation as title sponsor through 2028, Industry Day at the Range remains the only official range event associated with SHOT Show. Exhibitor space is limited, and companies are encouraged to register early to secure participation.

All attendees are required to be registered for SHOT Show and must complete NSSF credential verification prior to attending.

Exhibitors can register now to reserve space, and a variety of sponsorship opportunities are also available. Additional event details and frequently asked questions can be found on the event website.

For more information about the 2027 SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range, visit ShotShowRangeDay.com.

Posted in Industry, Press Release, SHOT Show | No Comments »

Air Force Forges Decision Advantage Through Logistics C2 Hackathon

June 4th, 2026

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. – To project and sustain overwhelming combat power across the globe, the U.S. Air Force employs a logistics enterprise capable of operating at the speed of the modern battlespace. Demonstrating its commitment to ensuring mission dominance, the 505th Command and Control Wing recently hosted a Logistics C2 Hackathon, focusing on solutions to accelerate decision timelines from tactical requirement generation to strategic execution.

The event unified operational and technical experts from Headquarters Air Force, Air Force Special Operations Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa,Pacific Air Forces, and Air Combat Command. These experts convened to engineer the foundation for a fully integrated, predictive system designed to connect unit-level logistics directly with tactical airlift execution, providing a decisive decision advantage in any environment.

Securing Domain Dominance

The primary objective of the Hackathon was to establish unyielding visibility and control over the Air Force’s logistics domain. To maintain superiority against peer adversaries, the service is fielding a distributed, resilient architecture. By linking the tactical needs of forward-deployed units directly and rapidly to strategic airlift nodes, the Air Force ensures the lethal, just-in-time delivery of critical assets to the warfighter.

“This rapid resupply is the lifeblood of sustained operations,” said Col. Ryan Hayde, 505th CCW commander. “Unparalleled air mobility and logistics are essential to the Joint Force’s ability to fight and win. We are forging the capabilities that ensure our forces stay fueled, armed, and ready to dominate the battlespace.”

Predictive Insights: Weaponizing Logistics

At the heart of this transformation is the integration of artificial intelligence and Maven Smart Systems. Leveraging machine learning and AI-driven analytics, the prototypes developed during the week deliver actionable, predictive insights to keep forces fully sustained.

Tools such as Maven can empower commanders to anticipate operational requirements before they occur, automatically recommending tactical airlift routing and cargo prioritization based on real-time combat needs.

“This leap to predictive execution cements the U.S. military’s decision advantage,” said Capt. Trey Pujats, 505th CCW Logistics C2 Hackathon project co-lead. “We are effectively shortening the logistical kill-chain which allows us to outpace our adversaries by anticipating their moves and ensuring our forces have what they need before they even ask for it.”

Engineering Decisive Effects

To optimize the logistics kill chain, participants were divided into three specialized teams, each engineering a vital component of the automated enterprise:

Phase I: Logistics Reporting: Delivering real-time, unyielding visibility over theater-wide supply chains.

Phase II: Predictive Analysis: Projecting sustainment needs in contested environments to guarantee proactive decision advantage.

Phase III: Airlift Execution: Automating the rapid routing of tactical airlift to sustain continuous combat power.

High-Impact Teaming: Analysts and Cyber Airmen

A critical driver of the event’s success was the intentional teaming of operations research analysts and cyber Airmen. This partnership integrated advanced mathematical modeling with superior data visualization and application development ability. While the operations research analysts designed the predictive algorithms to optimize resource allocation, the software developers built the secure, front-end user interface needed to effectively display data to decision makers.

“The synergy between our operations research analysts and our cyber Airmen was incredible to watch,” said Capt. Andrew Mogan, 505th CCW Logistics C2 Hackathon project co-lead. “In order to enable a robust Logistics Common Operating Picture, we leveraged a proven force multiplier: pairing the analysts who design the algorithms with the Airmen who build the software tools to deploy them.”

Delivering Combat-Ready Capabilities and Operators

The Hackathon concluded as a successful initiative that directly advanced the modernization of the logistics supply chain while serving as a massive force multiplier for workforce lethality.

“By immersing our Airmen in the development of these AI tools and advanced analytics, we achieved a massive collective upskilling,” said Hayde. “This collective upskilling ensures the enterprise is fully equipped to execute rapid, data-driven logistics operations and sustain airpower superiority in future contested environments.”

By Deb Henley

505th Command and Control Wing

Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Logistics | No Comments »

DSEI Germany Attracts Unprecedented Demand, Expanding into a Fourth Hall

June 3rd, 2026

3rd June 2026, Hannover, Germany – Following unprecedented industry demand, DSEI Germany has announced the opening of a fourth exhibition hall ahead of its debut in March 2027. DSEI Germany will be the leading exhibition for defence and security in Germany, featuring defence manufacturers, industrial suppliers, and emerging players from every level of the supply chain.

Taking place from 9-12 March 2027 at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds – Europe’s largest exhibition venue – the opening of another hall expands DSEI Germany’s indoor footprint to 100,000 square metres, alongside a further 25,000 square metres of outdoor display space, together covering an area equivalent to 18 football pitches.

DSEI Germany comes at a pivotal moment for Europe’s defence, security, and strategic autonomy. With Germany’s annual defence budget set to rise to €180 billion by 2030, the show will support Germany, Europe, and NATO’s strategic priorities while creating opportunities for dialogue between military and political leadership and industry.

With nine months until the inaugural edition of DSEI Germany, exhibition space in the original three halls was at capacity. The expansion into a fourth hall will accommodate greater representation across Air & Space, Land, Naval, and Cyber & Information.

The expansion also comes as the Federation of German Security and Defence Industries (BDSV) is confirmed as an industry partner. BDSV represents the collective interests of the German security and defence industries. The trade association supports over 400 companies and serves as a bridge between industry, the Federal Ministry of Defence, Bundeswehr, policymakers, institutions, and media.

“DSEI Germany’s decision to open an additional exhibition hall follows unprecedented demand from industry for a German defence and security exhibition that showcases military capability, industrial innovation, digital technologies, and new market entrants on an international stage”, said Bernd Kögel, Managing Director of DSEI Germany.

He added, “DSEI Germany aims to support NATO’s European members achieve greater independence in their ability to deter, and if necessary, defeat, an adversary. The response from industry is a clear sign of confidence in Europe’s defence and security sectors and the continent’s ability to scale up its industrial capacity and capability development”.

For more information, please visit dsei-germany.com (English) or dsei-germany.com/de (German)

DSEI Germany will be held in partnership with the Deutsche Messe AG and will take place 9-12 March 2027 at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds.

Posted in Enforce Tac, Press Release | No Comments »

Deal Finalised: Rheinmetall Divests its Civilian Division and Focuses on its Defence Business

June 3rd, 2026

With the sale of its civilian activities, the Rheinmetall Group has reached a milestone in its strategic realignment. Rheinmetall and the Munich-based industrial group AEQUITA have now signed a purchase agreement that paves the way for the future of Rheinmetall’s former Power Systems division under new management.

For some time now, Rheinmetall has been focusing on the rapidly growing business with military customers and security agencies, while at the same time expanding its technological portfolio into the domains of air, sea and space. Since last year, the Group has been in talks with potential buyers for its civilian business, which have now been successfully concluded with the signing of an agreement to sell it to AEQUITA.

The transaction, which is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2026, is subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities. The provisional purchase price for 100% of the shares is €350 million and is subject to standard market adjustment mechanisms until closing. The actual final purchase price may therefore differ from this figure.

Following the sale of its large- and small-bore piston operations in 2023/2024, Rheinmetall is now, as announced, taking the decisive step in its exit from the automotive supplier business.

The Power Systems division, which generated sales of around €2 billion in 2025, has been classified as a “discontinued operation” of the Group since the reporting for the fourth quarter of 2025.

All employees will be retained

AEQUITA intends to retain all of the approximately 6,250 Power Systems employees working worldwide at the companies being acquired. AEQUITA regards the highly qualified staff and their skills as the most important asset for future business development and will take on the entire workforce within the framework outlined above.

AEQUITA will operate the former Rheinmetall Power Systems division as an independent entity, with all trademark rights remaining within the company. The company will continue to operate on the market as usual under its long-established brands Pierburg, Kolbenschmidt and Motorservice.

“This is a significant milestone in the company’s history. We are focusing on the high-margin business with military customers, where we have excellent growth opportunities. Our stated objective was to place our civilian business operations in capable hands. We have found an excellent buyer in AEQUITA,” says Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG. “The internationally successful industrial

holding company combines extensive experience in the industrial and automotive sectors with a focus on entrepreneurship, transformation and a long-term perspective.”

“This makes AEQUITA the ideal partner to work with the Power Systems management team to implement the strategy that has been developed and to ensure the long-term success of the Kolbenschmidt and Pierburg brands in the market,” explains Marcus Gerlach, lead negotiator for Rheinmetall AG.

“We are very proud that Rheinmetall has chosen AEQUITA as the new owner of the Power Systems division. The company is an excellent addition to our Automotive division, which will now generate revenues of approximately €5 billion. In the years to come, our focus will be on actively supporting the long-term, successful and sustainable development of the company. This also involves realising synergies within our automotive portfolio,” says Dr Axel Geuer, Chairman and Co-CEO of AEQUITA.

KS Huayu AluTech, Dermalog SensorTec and the Abadiano plant in Spain are excluded from the sale

Excluded from the sale are the three German locations of KS Huayu AluTech GmbH (Neckarsulm, Walldürn and Langenhagen), which will remain within the Rheinmetall Group as a joint venture in the medium term – and continue to be classified as a “discontinued operation”.

The stake in Dermalog SensorTec GmbH, however, will remain within the Rheinmetall Group on a permanent basis. It will be integrated into the Weapon and Ammunition division, and its employees will continue to be based at the Neuss location.

Pierburg S.A.’s Abadiano plant in Spain will also remain with Rheinmetall, along with its workforce and tangible assets. For a transitional period, it will operate as a hybrid site, manufacturing both civilian and military products until the switch to military production is complete.

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