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The Gentex PURSUIT Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet

March 10th, 2025

Lighter. Stronger. Built for every mission.

As the world-leading provider of advanced headborne protection, Gentex understands that helmets are more than just equipment—they are essential to mission success and directly impact aircrew comfort, focus, and long-term health. For decades, the Gentex HGU-55/P and HGU-68/P have provided reliable protection for aircrew operating in demanding environments, but as mission requirements have grown so has the burden on aircrew who were forced to adapt to the added weight from the incorporation of night vision goggles (NVGs) and helmet mounted displays (HMDs). As a result, aircrew have endured increased neck strain and discomfort and have often required multiple helmets to meet an expanding set of mission requirements. Now Gentex delivers the next generation of advanced headborne protection: the PURSUIT helmet reduces weight, enhances comfort, and eliminates compromises, ensuring aircrew are equipped for today’s missions and ready for the future.

The PURSUIT Advantage
Lightweight, adaptable, and mission-ready, the PURSUIT helmet delivers unmatched comfort and performance in a single, modular system thatprovides aircrew the ability to adapt to various mission requirements without sacrificing protection or performance and eliminates the need for multiple helmets, which means reduced cost, less gear to manage, and increased aircrew readiness and combat effectiveness.

Designed for Endurance, Comfort, and Performance
The PURSUIT helmet’s advanced, lightweight carbon shell reduces neck and spine strain, significantly lowering the risk of short and long-term injuries from prolonged missions and high-G maneuvers. The enhanced ventilation system prevents heat buildup, and fire-resistant, moisture-wicking, high-performance comfort pads increase aircrew comfort and mission readiness during long-duration flights. The PURSUIT helmet’soptimized balance and center of gravity, as well as its enhanced nape design, provide aircrew with a secure, stable fit that keeps the helmet in place during dynamic maneuvering in all HMD/NVG configurations. With four helmet sizes, the PURSUIT helmet delivers an optimal, out-of-the-box fit for more than 99% of aircrew, ensuring exceptional comfort and performance.

Mission-Ready and Future-Proof
The PURSUIT helmet isn’t just built for today—it’s engineered for the future. Fully compliant with USN and USAF performance standards, the PURSUIT helmet is designed with future warfighting requirements in mind. Gentex’s Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) in our helmet system design allows for the seamless integration of current and future HMDs, as well as advanced communications systems and optical and respiratory protection, to provide adaptability, aircrew safety, and warfighting capability for decades to come.

For more than 75 years, Gentex has set the standard in aircrew protection, delivering combat-proven innovation to those who serve. The PURSUIT™ next generation fixed wing helmet isn’t just a helmet—it’s a tactical advantage.

Designed For Comfort. Built For Performance.

Gentex Corporation Awarded Navy OTA for Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet Program

Learn more about the PURSUIT helmet

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Additional Details on the Royal Marines MCX Carbines and a Statement from Edgar Brothers

March 10th, 2025

Over the weekend, the Royal Navy released a statement about the SIG SAUER MCX LT carbines they procured under Project HAY, named after renowned WWII Royal Marine Ace fighter pilot Commander Ronnie Hay, DSO, DSC & Bar.

I’m going to share a few things I know about the program. The actual decision was made almost two years ago, with delivery well over a year ago. It is my understanding that the MCX carbines were purchased for maritime operations as part of the Royal Marines Future Commando Force operational concept with a renewed emphasis on amphibious raids and a fast-paced modernization of weapons and equipment.

The MCX carbines were procured chambered in 5.56 NATO and 300 BLK (7.62×35 for our European readers). However, it’s important to point out, how modular the system they purchased is. Due to the availability of upper receivers in 7.62×39, the Royal Marines could easily adapt if the need arises to add that caliber such as during operations with allied forces still using that caliber. Likewise, the Reduced Signature Assault Rifle (RSAR) configuration is also available and has been procured by USSOCOM as well as other friendly nations, in all three calibers.

As you can imagine, it can be a challenge operationally when you have one common platform and magazine that accepts two different cartridges. The Royal Marines have overcome this by purchasing 300 BLK carbines in all Black livery and 5.56 NATO chambered carbines featuring FDE accessories.

Every rifle comes fully equipped with suppressor, and optic (including magnifier).

The firm which served as the system integrator for the procurement, Edgar Brothers, has provided us with a statement which provides even more details:

Royal Marines Adopt SIG SAUER MCX Under Project HAY

The Royal Marines Commando Force has taken another significant step forward in its ongoing modernization with the adoption of the SIG SAUER MCX rifle under Project HAY, a program named after Ronald “Ronnie” Cuthbert Hay DSO, DSC and Bar, the only Royal Marines fighter ace. This follows the introduction of the Knights Armament Stoner 1 (KS-1) under Project COMACCHIO, which began replacing the SA80 as the primary weapon for the Royal Marines Littoral Response Groups under Project HUNTER (named in honor of Corporal Thomas Hunter, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery at Lake Comacchio). However, Project HAY focuses on specialized roles, replacing the venerable L119A1/A2 rifles produced by Colt Canada and ensures force-wide transition to AR controls.

The Legacy of Ronnie Hay

Ronnie Hay, a legendary fighter pilot and Royal Marine during World War II, epitomized the adaptability and daring that today’s Commando Force strives to embody. As the only Royal Marines fighter ace, Hay flew numerous combat missions 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 now inspires the cutting-edge capabilities delivered through Project HAY, as the Royal Marines continue to redefine their role as an advanced, multi-domain force.

Project HAY and the SIG SAUER MCX

The SIG SAUER MCX brings a level of versatility well-suited to the unique requirements of the Royal Marines’ maritime special operations-capable unit. This unit specializes in tasks such as ship interdiction, training partner forces overseas, and close-quarters engagements during boarding operations. Unlike Project COMACCHIO’s KS-1, designed for general issue, the MCX is tailored for specialized operations. Its design allows operators to switch between different configurations, making it highly adaptable to varying mission profiles. This capability is particularly valuable for training teams operating overseas, where non-standard ammunition may be the only viable option.

Compact and Mission-Ready

The shorter barrel lengths make the MCX ideal for confined spaces, such as ship interiors and urban environments. Both systems can be configured for suppressed or unsuppressed use, offering flexibility during sensitive operations where noise in confined spaces can produce challenges. It is understood that other variations made possible by the MCX’s flexibility are being considered and trialled. Other natures may be used that are more suitable for close-quarter battle or working with partner forces.

A further feature is the addition of RailScales’ custom Monomount, which raises optic height to improve compatibility with night vision goggles (NVGs). This feature enhances the weapon’s effectiveness in low-light environments while supporting ergonomic aiming. The Monomount also facilitates the top mounting of the LLM Mk3 laser, further enhancing the MCX’s versatility. Additionally, the MCX’s extensive stock options enable seamless integration with protective gear, including helmets with mandible attachments if required.

Training and Simulation

To ensure safe, realistic training, the MCX is equipped with dedicated Simunition kits for force-on-force exercises and blank-firing adapters for practice. These tools allow boarding teams to train under realistic conditions without compromising safety. The design of the MCX also ensures that operators can train extensively on one platform before transitioning to another for specific missions.

Lessons Learned from the HUNTER Programme

The Royal Marines’ evaluation of the MCX benefited greatly from Project HUNTER, which enabled extensive small arms experimentation. This initiative allowed units to field-test systems and provide valuable feedback on their performance. For Project HAY, the results of these trials were instrumental in shaping the final configurations of the fielded MCX.

A Purpose-Built Tool for the Future Force

The adoption of the SIG SAUER MCX marks another milestone in the Royal Marines’ transformation into a special operations-capable maritime task group. The MCX, with its design and adaptability, gives the Commando Force a purpose-built tool for modern operations. Whether conducting training missions in remote regions or executing high-stakes maritime interdictions, the weapon’s compact size, suppressor compatibility, and flexibility make it an invaluable asset for deployed teams.

Mike Newman, Director PMD at Edgar Brothers, commented on the collaboration: “It was a great effort between ourselves, UK Commando Force, and SIG SAUER to provide the MCX and associated ancillaries. Edgar Brothers are hugely proud to provide another weapon system into the Royal Marines arsenal.”

Ron Cohen, President and CEO of SIG SAUER, Inc., added: “SIG SAUER is proud that our rifles, suppressors, and optics are entering service with the UK Royal Marines. This system of cutting-edge products is designed for proven performance and reliability to withstand the rigors of the battlefield. We are honored to support the Royal Marines with our products and their commitment to mission readiness.”

Under Project HAY, the Royal Marines continue to honor the legacy of Ronnie Hay by equipping specialist units with the tools to thrive in all domains, just like Ronnie Hay.

Posted in Advertiser, Contracts, Guest Post, weapons | 1 Comment »

Air Force Senior Leaders Discuss Intelligence Driving Unified Action

March 10th, 2025

AURORA, Colo. (AFNS) —

Air Force Lt. Gen. Leah Lauderback, deputy chief of Staff, ISR and Cyber Effects Operations, and Space Force Maj. Gen. Gregory Gagnon, deputy chief of Space Operations for Intelligence, joined a panel discussion with Mr. Greg Ryckman, Defense Intelligence Agency deputy director for Global Integration, during the Air and Space Force Association Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado, March 4.

The two senior Department of the Air Force intelligence officers joined the stage alongside Ryckman to discuss the current intelligence environment, monitoring threats and on-going collaboration between combat support agencies.

To begin the panel, Gagnon gave context for why America’s need for intelligence is growing. He stated there has been significant changes throughout the world in the past 10 years, including the drastically decreasing gap between the U.S. and Chinese economies.

“In the past 10 years, the Chinese economy has grown 78%,” Gagnon stated. “Let me tell you why this is important… what makes you rich can make you strong.”

Gagnon explained the efforts China has taken to increase its defense budget and noted they’ve increased on-orbit assets by 650% since the U.S. Space Force’s creation in 2019.

Lauderback spoke about the importance of unifying the Department of Defense’s intel capabilities with combat support agencies such as the DIA. She explained senior intelligence leaders are working to get intel information to as many levels throughout the DoD as possible.

We want to be able to provide the intentions of the adversary,” Lauderback said. “We want to provide their capabilities, and we want to give [commanders and decision-makers] confidence in the intelligence so that [they] can make the best decisions in a high-end conflict.”

With DIA acting as the lead to unify intelligence information, Gagnon said they are putting the “‘common’ back in the common intel picture,” emphasizing its importance for global synchronization.

“Our design in the Department of Defense is to deliver unified action,” Gagnon said. “That requires a unified set of understanding about where the enemy is and what their intent is, so this is a very important initiative.”

-Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

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

SOFWERX – Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E) Assessment Event (AE)

March 9th, 2025

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.

Submit NLT 24 March 2025 11:59 PM ET

*U.S. Citizens Only*

For more info, visit events.sofwerx.org/adaptive-airborne-enterprise-a2-e.

Posted in SOF, Tac Apps | No Comments »

UK Ministry of Defence and Industry Collaboration Breaks New Ground at the Digital Manufacturing Centre

March 9th, 2025

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.”

www.digitalmanufacturingcentre.com

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You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up

March 9th, 2025

This is a fine showing from my friend Alpendrms.

Posted in KCRF | Comments Off on You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up

Royal Navy Procures New Rifle for Specialist Commando Operations

March 8th, 2025

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.

This is a press release from the Royal Navy.

Posted in Advertiser, International, Press Release, weapons | 12 Comments »

General Atomics Awarded Contract From General Dynamics Electric Boat for Virginia-Class Payload Tube Manufacturing

March 8th, 2025

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.”

Posted in Industry, Maritime, Press Release | 1 Comment »