SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Program Executive Office Fixed Wing (PEO-FW), will host a series of events to identify vendors that will be asked to evaluate a government owned Mission Autonomy Software solution. Subsequently the government will select a subset of providers to augment the Mission Autonomy software stack with industry provided best of breed solutions to close gaps in system limitations.
Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E), is an interoperable system of systems, enabling ISR capabilities through expendable autonomous sUAS platforms, resilient data paths, and common control architecture. A2E leverages access and theater presence of Special Operation Forces (SOF) crewed and uncrewed aircraft to deliver on-demand and scalable support of Special Operations peculiar missions. A2E closes current mission gaps via mission autonomy capability increments that provide increased operational support to the SOF warfighter.
The Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC), an industry-leading production facility and additive manufacturing (AM) innovation hub, hosted the latest UK MOD Strategic Command’s Additive Manufacturing innovation event, on 5 March 2025. This MOD/industry collaborative event was held at DMC’s state-of-the-art AM production facility, located at the world-renowned Silverstone Park. The event was also supported by the Buckinghamshire Enterprise Zone.
Project TAMPA is a UK Strategic Command Defence Support sponsored project that is exploring the advantages of integrating the very latest AM (3D-printing) technology “from factory to foxhole”. From the outset, DMC has been intimately involved with Project TAMPA and is working in close partnership with the MOD and key defence players such as NP Aerospace, Babcock, Thales and RBSL, to support the development and delivery of this high-technology manufacturing capability, into the defence supply chain. Fully aligned with the MOD’s Land Industrial Strategy (LIS) and the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), TAMPA is a spearhead initiative that is driving forward proactive collaboration with industry to rapidly find and integrate the very latest manufacturing technologies.
TAMPA Spiral 1 validated the ability of AM to produce non-safety critical NATO Stock Number (NSN) parts to the appropriate quality and Spiral 2 is expanding the requirement to include safety critical parts and demonstrate the ability for AM to add value to the part production process. DMC is also working in partnership with NP Aerospace to investigate the additional AM benefits possible by using Direct Energy Deposition (DED) methods to create large metal structural parts leveraging the benefits of AM to reduce lead times, reliance on tooling and cost. The advantages of AM in the defence supply chain are numerous and include: weight saving; cost reduction; speed and agility; innovation in design, obsolescence management, inventory management and potentially, forward deployed additive manufacturing support.
Major General Phil Prosser, Director Joint Support said, “As the MOD’s Advanced Manufacturing Champion, it is hugely rewarding to witness what we have achieved by exploring and harnessing the benefits that additive manufacturing can bring. Project TAMPA is a prime example of how the MOD can work in partnership with both major defence contractors and smaller innovative British companies like the DMC, to push the boundaries of innovation and technology to maximise defence capability. Collaborating with defence primes and high-technology SME’s in this way is critical to protecting and developing the UK defence supply chain.”
Kieron Salter, CEO at DMC said, “We are very proud to have hosted such an important MOD event at our facility in Silverstone Park. DMC has an advanced engineering pedigree born from the most demanding of sectors such as Formula 1, hyper-cars, aerospace and space. At DMC, we pride ourselves in adopting a holistic approach to additive manufacturing; applying creativity and innovation to our engineering that leads to an optimised final production solution – we don’t just 3D-print to drawing. From hyper-cars to armoured vehicles, we apply the same pioneering solutions to ensure the customer secures the maximum benefit from the AM process and it has been a real pleasure to be working on Project TAMPA. I know that we have only just scratched the surface of what is possible through working together with the MOD and the defence supply chain like this, to achieve greater benefits – lots more to come.”
Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on UK Ministry of Defence and Industry Collaboration Breaks New Ground at the Digital Manufacturing Centre
Royal Marines from the UK Commando Force have been issued a new rifle for specialist operations, including counter-terrorism.
More than 1,500 Sig Sauer MCX rifles have been purchased by the Navy, enabled by Edgar Brothers, as part of continued investment in the Commando Force.
The rifle is well-suited for the specialist counter-UK terrorism roles of the Commando Force, replacing rifles produced by Colt Canada as part of £6m Navy investment.
It is designed to complement the Commandos’ new general use weapon, the Knights Armament Stoner 1 (KS-1), that was announced in September 2023.
The addition of the MCX is another milestone in the UK Commando Force transformation – giving the UK Commando Force the operational edge for Special Operations around the globe.
Lieutenant Colonel Olly Osborne, of the Commando Force Programme team, said: “These rifles reinforce the commitment of the Navy and Defence to our transformation, and the value the Commando Force provides to our national and international security.
“This is an excellent period of investment in the force and provides great confidence through exceptional task specific modern weaponry.”
The Sig MCX brings a level of versatility well-suited to the unique requirements of the Commando Force, which is tasked with operating in a wide range of extreme environments around the globe ahead of the main allied forces.
The Commandos have put the system through strenuous testing during force-on-force exercises and live firing drills – allowing the future users to train under realistic conditions.
The MCX will be used by Commando Forces operating with the Royal Navy’s Littoral Response Groups – which bring together amphibious ships, aircraft, vehicles and Commandos under one potent force designed to provide a global Crisis Response and Special Operations capability.
The rifle was procured under the auspices of Project Hay – named in tribute to Ronnie Hay, a legendary fighter pilot and Royal Marine of World War 2 who epitomised the daring of the Commandos during raids on Nazi-occupied territory.
As the only Royal Marines fighter ace, Hay flew combat sorties in the Fleet Air Arm, earning multiple decorations for his aerial victories and ground-attack missions.
His distinguished service included pivotal roles in the Dunkirk evacuation, the Battle of Britain, the Mediterranean campaign during Operation Torch, and the Far East, where he led one of the Fleet Air Arm’s largest operations and supported the assault on Okinawa.
Hay’s remarkable legacy inspired the cutting-edge capabilities delivered through Project Hay, as the Royal Marines continue to redefine their role as an advanced raiding force.
Under the project, Commandos were able to thoroughly field-test systems and provide feedback on their performance. This was instrumental in shaping the final configurations of the fielded MCX. This user feedback was inspired by Project Hunter – which led the procurement of the KS-1 rifle.
SAN DIEGO, February 24, 2025 – General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it has been awarded a contract from General Dynamics Electric Boat to fabricate and deliver three shipsets of Virginia Payload Tubes (VPT) to be utilized on Block VI Virginia-class submarines. Each shipset includes two payload tubes. Under the terms of the contract, GA-EMS will complete delivery of the VPTs by the end of 2030.
“This contract follows a 2023 contract award for a single VPT shipset that qualified GA-EMS as a viable supplier with proven manufacturing capability to fabricate and deliver complex, safety-critical components for use on Navy submarines,” stated Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “We are excited to continue working with Electric Boat to apply our world-class fabrication and precision machining capabilities, experienced program management, and engineering and quality assurance expertise to help ensure the VPTs are available on time to support an aggressive Virginia-class build schedule.”
“As the submarine industrial base continues to expand amid supply chain and workforce retention challenges, we look forward to providing the critical capacity necessary to support multi-year procurement and sustainment programs such as this,” stated Rolf Ziesing, vice president of GA-EMS Maritime Programs. “Under multiple contract awards and over several decades, we’ve been recognized for our expertise in developing and delivering components and systems for the Navy’s surface warships, including the first of kind Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch and Advanced Arresting Gear systems for Ford-class carriers. We have undertaken continuous expansion of our manufacturing capabilities and footprint, while developing a highly skilled workforce at our Tupelo and Iuka, Mississippi manufacturing facilities. GA-EMS is well positioned to be a valued, stable resource for the development and production of complex components like the VPTs in support of the Navy’s subsurface and surface shipbuilding enterprise.”
Former SWAT Officer Jared Reston Shares Life-Changing Experience
In this video Chris Sizelove and Jared Reston sit down for a conversation about gunfighting, mindset, and winning. Jared is a seasoned law enforcement veteran with over 20 years of service at Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Since retiring in 2020, he now travels the nation teaching firearms and tactics to prepared citizens, military personnel, and law enforcement agencies.
Jared’s perspective was forever altered in 2008 during what began as a routine shoplifter pursuit at Jacksonville’s Regency Square Mall. The confrontation turned deadly when the suspect produced a Glock 21 and shot Jared seven times. Despite taking rounds to his jaw, body armor, thigh, and other areas, Jared maintained his composure and returned fire effectively, neutralizing the threat. This watershed moment has radically impacted Jared’s life and inspired him to share training techniques with others through his training company, Reston Group Training.
Since this event, Jared has been an advocate for mindset. His training philosophy is clear: the goal in a lethal confrontation isn’t merely to survive—it’s to win. “I hate the term surviving,” he explains. “To me, survival is what you do if you crash your car in the woods and drink your pee and eat berries… a gunfight is a high-stakes game, and games have to have a winner.”
The conversation delves into the importance of shot placement and the resilience of the human body during traumatic injuries. Jared notes that while the human body is a large target, the areas that will immediately stop a threat are surprisingly small. Disrupting brain or heart function is about the only way to neutralize a threat.
Chris and Jared agree that proper mindset, weapon manipulation skills, and marksmanship are critical components in prevailing in armed confrontations. The function of training is to make fundamental skills so automatic that your mental bandwidth can be dedicated entirely to solving the immediate problem rather than worrying about manipulating your weapon.
Reston Group Training offers numerous open enrollment classes for civilians and professionals. Jared can also be found in New Hampshire at Ridgeline Defense, which he describes as “the Disney World of the shooting realm.” Even though Ridgeline is known for precision long-range shooting they now offer a wide variety of training including CQB.
PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. (Mar. 4, 2025) – Soldiers assigned to the Presidio of Monterey recently marked the transition from the U.S. Army Materiel Command to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence during a traditional patching ceremony in the PoM headquarters building. The five soldiers exchanged their AMC shoulder sleeve insignia patches for the ICoE patch, signifying their integration into the ICoE command.
The re-patching was prompted by the January 2025 EXORD 123-25 by the Secretary of the Army, “Update to U.S. Army Installation Management Structure.” This alignment reduces bureaucracy, clarifies responsibilities, and unifies efforts under a single command.
Maj. Gen. Richard Appelhans, commanding general of ICoE and Fort Huachuca, addressed soldiers at both locations via video teleconference from Arizona. “More than just symbolic, this patching is about creating unity of command and unity of effort,” Appelhans said. “Despite the many challenges, you accomplish the mission daily, delivering first-class service and support to your communities.”
Col. Dan Artino, Presidio of Monterey garrison commander, said the ceremony marks a significant milestone. “This transition reaffirms our commitment to the warfighters, families, and civilians who train, work, and live on our installation,” Artino said.
The alignment, Artino said, will integrate ICoE’s mission priorities with PoM’s service integration. “This move strengthens our relationship with our senior commander, Maj. Gen. Appelhans, and allows for even greater collaboration and support,” he said.
With the transition complete, the Presidio of Monterey stands ready to support the broader transformation, modernization and readiness of the U.S. Army.
By Jennifer Leggett
Posted in Army, Forces Focus, Guest Post | Comments Off on Presidio of Monterey Soldiers Exchange AMC Shoulder Sleeve Insignia for ICoE SSI
NEWINGTON, N.H., (March 7, 2025) – The P320 CANNOT, under any circumstances, dischargewithout a trigger pull – that is a fact. The allegations against the P320 are nothing more than individuals seeking to profit or avoid personal responsibility.
Recently, anti-gun groups, members of the mainstream media, trial attorneys, and other uninformed and agenda-driven parties have launched attacks on one of SIG SAUER’s most trusted, most tested, and most popular products – the P320 pistol. In all cases, these individuals have an ulterior motive behind their baseless allegations that the P320 can fire without a trigger pull; they have no evidence, no data and no empirical testing to support any of their claims. They instead choose to misrepresent clear, negligent discharges as a “design problem.”
In the decade since its introduction, the P320 has undergone the most rigorous testing and evaluation of any firearm, by military and law enforcement agencies around the world. It consistently delivers a proven record of performance and reliability through state-of-the-art engineering, and documented quality control at every stage of its production. Claims that unintended discharges are anything more than negligent handling and/or manufactured lies to support an anti-gun, anti-SIG agenda are false. Furthermore, lawsuits claiming that the P320 is capable of firing without the trigger being pulled have been dismissed in courtrooms around the country. In addition, multiple plaintiffs’ so-called experts have conceded, it is not possible for the P320 to discharge unless the trigger is fully actuated.
The rhetoric is high, and we can no longer stay silent while lawsuits run their course, and clickbait farming, engagement hacking grifters continue their campaign to highjack the truth for profit. Enough is enough. From the courts of law to the court of public opinion we will combat the lies and misinformation with the truth. SIG SAUER stands behind the quality, safety, and design of all our products – especially the P320.
Industry, take notice; what’s happening today to SIG SAUER with the anti-gun mob and their lawfare tactics will happen tomorrow at another firearms manufacturer, and then another.
