Drone Round showed us their new 6.8×51 round for use with Next Generation Weapons System.
Here, you can see it next to the 5.56mm NATO version. The counter drone ammunition will be offered in both K & L variants which feature different dispersal radii.
Offering an effective counter-FPV drone solution which can be employed using existing small arms, Drone Round has begun to see limited procurement by the Army, Marine Corps and SOF here in the US as well as by multiple partner nations worldwide.
This year’s Association of the United States Army’s Annual Meeting & Exposition was very well attended. AUSA claims 45,000 and I can believe it. Unfortunately, I missed the first day thanks to American Airlines doing what they do best.
I’d like to apologize to my readers and to the companies whose meetings I missed for not being there all three days.
Eric G
In June we covered the launch of MATBOCK’s ARES Drone Series. In August we looked at how operators were running it, with the ARES Drone Assault Pack as the Pilot Bag and the ARES Drone Sustainment Pack as the Bird Bag. MATBOCK has now released a full walkthrough of the system.
The video goes through both packs inside and out:
See the full ARES Drone Series at www.matbock.com/collections/packs/Drone and contact sales@matbock.com for a unit quote.
Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Baldock
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The United States Naval Academy (USNA) announced a major academic restructuring today that will establish both a standalone school for computing, cybersecurity, super intelligence, robotics and autonomous systems and a standalone school of engineering. Transitioning from the former School of Engineering, Computing and Weapons, this strategic division formalizes the presence of the Information Warfare (IW) community at the U.S. Naval Academy and creates a dedicated organizational hub to advance critical capabilities in emerging technologies. The restructuring is expected to be complete by Summer 2027.
The new School will consolidate the departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Weapons, Robotics, and Control Engineering; Computer Science; and Cyber Science, which will continue to be physically housed in Hopper Hall. As part of this realignment, the Center for Cyber Security Studies will be renamed the Center for Cyber Security and Emerging Technology, and oversight of USNA’s Special Security Office (SSO) and Information Warfare pipeline activities will transition directly to the new School.
“This new school represents a massive leap forward for both the Naval Academy and the broader Information Warfare enterprise,” said U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte. “By aligning our world-class computing faculty, cutting-edge Hopper Hall infrastructure, and operational community leadership under this School, I am establishing a premier focal point to drive the Navy and Marine Corps’ institutional priorities in SI, robotics, and autonomous systems, which will lay the foundation for tomorrow’s naval leaders.” In keeping with the Academy’s leadership model where School Deans and Division Directors are post-command O-6 officers dual-hatted as service community leaders, the new Dean will serve as the Senior Information Warfare community leader at the U.S. Naval Academy. Borgschulte chose U.S. Navy Capt. Mathias Roth, to serve as the inaugural Dean of the School.
A 2002 Naval Academy graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography, Roth earned his Doctorate in Physical Oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2016. He brings a powerful mix of operational, technical, and manpower expertise to the role, having begun his career as a Surface Warfare Officer aboard USS Preble (DDG-88) as the Auxiliary Officer, followed by subsequent sea time aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) and USS Essex (LHD-2). He later gained deep insight into community force structure while serving as an Information Warfare detailer in Millington, Tennessee. Roth’s command experience includes leading Information Warfare Training Group (IWTG) Gulfport and commanding Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) in Monterey, California.
“Capt. Roth is the perfect leader to establish the new School,” said U.S. Naval Academy Provost, Dr. Samara Firebaugh. “He is an absolute rockstar, with an outstanding reputation as a thoughtful and well-spoken leader. This initiative is central to our efforts to modernize our curriculum in order to produce officers who are equipped to operate in a warfighting environment that is being rapidly reshaped by super intelligence, robotics, and autonomous systems.”
Capt. Roth will report to the U.S. Naval Academy this October where he will lead the transition team for this initiative.
The establishment of the School parallels information warfare and robotic and autonomous systems integration initiatives in the Fleet, ensuring these foundational capabilities are woven into every warfare domain, kill chain and training pipeline. Midshipmen will graduate with deck-plate relevant skillsets and technological literacy needed to lead hybrid units, master technical advancements, operate ethically and build combat resilience.
The U.S. Naval Academy is a prestigious four-year service academy that prepares midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically to become professional officers in the naval service. More than 4,400 men and women representing every state in the U.S. and several foreign countries make up the student body known as the Brigade of Midshipmen. U.S. News and World Reports has recognized the Naval Academy as the #1 top public school, #3 national liberal arts college, and #5 best undergraduate engineering programs. Upon graduation, midshipmen earn a Bachelor of Science degree in a choice of 26 different subject majors and go on to serve at least five years of exciting and rewarding service as commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
Story by Elizabeth Wrightson
United States Naval Academy
Flux Defense today 10/15/26 announces the release of the KOMPAKT Universal IWB Holster, the smallest light bearing holster on the market designed to work with the Glock™ 48, 43x, Sig Sauer™ P365 series, Springfield Armory™ Hellcat series & more. The KOMPAKT is also compatible with the Antimatter/Flux Wing.
The KOMPAKT indexes off of and requires the Streamlight TLR7sub series of pistol lights. The KOMPAKT is made from a glass reinforced nylon gun polymer that is superior to kydex. It provides more durability with a minimal footprint compared to traditional thermoformed kydex holsters. The backside of the holster is flat and smooth, minimizing hotspots and maximizing comfort.
Included fitment spacers allow you to fine-tune retention for your firearm, while the concealment claw creates standoff to help reduce printing.
“This holster has been one of our most requested products to bring back over the years,” said Alex Aubrey, Chief Marketing Officer at Flux Defense. “The original Kompakt holster under Antimatter Industries was very hard to make so we reluctantly discontinued it, hoping to revisit it down the line. After the holster developed a cult following for being smaller and more comfortable than standard kydex holsters, we knew we had to bring it back with the updated materials and manufacturing experience we had gained”.
Additional accessories for the KOMPAKT, like magazine and tourniquet carriers will be available soon!
The KOMPAKT Universal IWB Holster is available immediately through Flux Defense and its authorized dealer network.
fluxdefense.com/shop/kompakt-holster
Veterans interested in drone careers can begin with free membership, practical training and access to a nationwide community.
Vets to Drones is a Veteran-led nonprofit focused on workforce development in the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry. The organization offers free membership for Veterans and free preparation for the Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 knowledge test.
Members can access mentorship, events, job opportunities, specialized training and partner discounts.
Who is eligible?
Vets to Drones serves Veterans at every stage of their drone career journey.
Some members are new to drones and want help preparing for their first commercial certification exam. Others already hold an FAA Part 107 certificate and are seeking advanced training, industry connections or employment opportunities.
Veterans don’t need an FAA Part 107 certificate or prior drone experience to join.
What can members access?
Members can access self-paced academy courses covering Part 107 test preparation and specialized operations. They can also connect with experienced drone professionals and fellow Veterans through the Vets to Drones community.
The member portal includes training resources, an event calendar, community tools and a job board. Partner employers use the job board to share opportunities with Veteran talent across the drone industry.
Members may also receive partner discounts on equipment, software and services. Vets to Drones offers advanced online and in-person training across a range of industries and career areas.
Some opportunities may involve travel, lodging or event expenses. Costs and available funding vary by program and opportunity.
How to join
Visit Vets to Drones and select the link to join the network.
GOVX verifies military service through a secure online process. After verification, Veterans complete a short form with basic information to set up their account.
The Vets to Drones system automatically creates the account once the form is submitted. A claim email is usually sent immediately, and portal access is typically available within minutes.
After joining, members can immediately explore available training, events, mentorship, discounts and employment resources.
Where to start
New members should review academy courses and identify training that matches their current experience and career goals. They can also check the event calendar for webinars, in-person training sessions and regional meetups.
Members seeking employment can review the job board and connect with others in the network. Veterans can ask questions and explore options before selecting a career path or pursuing advanced training.
For membership or portal support, email portal@vetstodrones.org.
To learn more or begin a free Veteran membership, visit Vets to Drones.
Andrew Langholf
Public Affairs Officer, Vets to Drones
Editor’s note: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Veterans should verify the information with the organization offering.l
We haven’t shared one of these in a while but we ran across this German documentary about the fall of the wall.
Subtitles by the poster of the video to Youtube.
Washington, D.C. — October 12, 2026
Acting Secretary of the Army Honorable Adam Telle announced the Army’s first?ever Manufacturing Rodeo during the AUSA National Convention opening ceremony, describing it as a competitive stress test for both the Army’s organic industrial base and the nation’s broader manufacturing network.
In his remarks, Telle stated, “The U.S. Army is going to do something we’ve never done before: early next year we will conduct what I’m calling a Manufacturing Rodeo—a race between our industrial base partners that strains our organic industrial base, stresses the supply chain, pressures manufacturing processes, and shows us exactly where it breaks.”
He emphasized that the Army will learn by doing, not by “sitting around postulating at the Pentagon,” with the goal of identifying weak links, strengthening them, and continuously iterating to build a more resilient and responsive industrial base.
These efforts will build on current Army efforts, as this year the Army has pivoted its modernization focus from single-system production targets toward scaling flexible “advanced manufacturing” capabilities across the Organic Industrial Base (OIB). By establishing advanced manufacturing hubs at key installations—such as Red River Army Depot, Anniston Army Depot, and Tobyhanna Army Depot—and securing critical Public-Private Partnerships (P3) with industry leaders like Hadrian and Siemens, the Army has built the production capacity to rapidly manufacture diverse subcomponents on demand. This agile infrastructure enables the OIB to sustain both legacy and future weapon systems, producing everything from complex electric motors to critical replacement parts like tank engine transmission belt housings, effectively eliminating supply chain bottlenecks and securing readiness at the speed of war.
Telle’s announcement came at the start of the AUSA annual meeting, where the Army is throwing open its doors to American innovators and tearing down bureaucratic red tape. The Army is committed to accelerating its relationship with American ingenuity, acquiring cutting-edge capabilities and integrating autonomous technologies to ensure Soldiers have the equipment they need, when they need it, and at scale.
