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Army Seeks Novel Autonomous Ground and Launched Effects Solutions Through New xTech|Edge Strike: Ground Competition

January 2nd, 2026

WASINGTON ? The Army FUZE xTech Program, in partnership with U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUF-AF) and the Global Tactical Edge Directorate (G-TEAD), launched the xTech|Edge Strike: Ground competition to identify and accelerate mature, ready-to-deploy autonomous ground-system and launched-effects technologies. Offering a total cash prize pool of $2 million , the competition provides potential follow-on contract opportunities and consideration for addition to the G-TEAD Marketplace. Small and large business worldwide can submit eligible solutions that enhance force protection, increase situational awareness, and deliver adaptable capabilities for Soldiers operating in contested environments.

The competition aligns with ongoing Army efforts to rapidly integrate commercially driven innovation into formations operating at the tactical edge. By expanding collaboration with nontraditional industry partners and accelerating the transition of promising capabilities into operational use, the program strengthens pathways for fielding technology that meets emerging Army needs. Led by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)), xTech|Edge Strike: Ground aims to identify mature technologies of technical readiness level (TRL) 6 or higher that detect, identify, track, and neutralize threats, deliver precision fires, emplace obstacles and defensive p0sitions, carry and distribute supplies, or evacuate casualties?all while minimizing Soldier exposure.

Competition Overview

xTech|Edge Strike: Ground features a two-part format that moves from concept submission to a live, Army-led experimentation event, where participants will compete for cash prizes, engage with Department of War (DoW) experts, and refine their solutions to meet Army demand signals.

Part One: Concept White Paper

Submission window: Dec. 19, 2025 – Jan. 7, 2026
Eligible vendors must submit a four-page concept white paper and pre-recorded five-minute video outlining their technology, viability, and demonstrating its suitability for participation in a live experimentation event.
Up to 15 applicants will receive $25,000 each and an invitation to Part Two, the live experimentation event in Grafenwöhr, Germany.

Part Two: Finals Experimentation Event

Finalists will participate in a live experimentation event in March of 2026, showcasing their solutions to a panel of Army and DoW experts.
Up to five winners will receive a cash prize of up to $275,000 and all other finalists that participate in the experimentation event will receive an additional $25,000 for their participation.
The government may award follow-on contracts to one or more competition winners, determined based on funding availability.

Eligibility Requirements

xTech|Edge Strike: Ground is open to nonprofit and for-profit organizations, including large and small businesses, in both domestic and foreign territories. Vendors must obtain a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code or North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code to process payments and must be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the U.S. or a foreign country.

Vendors must not be U.S. federal government entities, foreign government entities, or employ a U.S. federal employee acting within the scope of their employment. Additionally, vendors must not currently be under contract, agreement, or providing similar capabilities to the government for related work.

About the Army FUZE xTech Program

The Army FUZE xTech Program is the Army’s premier tool for scouting and accelerating dual-use technologies that directly enhance Soldier readiness and mission success. Through dynamic prize competitions like xTechSearch, xTech identifies breakthrough solutions and opens doors for nontraditional companies to engage with and deliver capabilities to the Army. Since its launch in 2018, xTech has awarded over $30 million in non-dilutive cash prizes across 48 competitions – fueling innovation pipelines and delivering transformative technologies that matter on the battlefield.

Learn more at the Army FUZE xTech website: fuze.army.mil.

About Army FUZE

Army FUZE is the Army’s integrated innovation ecosystem. It brings together four flagship innovation programs – xTech, Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer, Manufacturing Technology, and the Technology Maturation Initiative – under a coordinated and synchronized framework to accelerate advanced capabilities, strengthen the industrial base, and deliver readiness at the speed of relevance. FUZE operates with a venture capitalist mindset, scouting broadly, taking calculated risks, and scaling the most promising technologies. This approach ensures taxpayer dollars are directed toward solutions with both Army operational relevance and commercial viability, while creating clearer pathways and reduced barriers for industry participation.

By Eleanor Kent, Army FUZE

Posted in Army, Guest Post, weapons | No Comments »

DroneShield Secures $8.2 Million Contract Supporting Western Military Operations

January 1st, 2026

DroneShield has received a contract totaling $8.2m for a western military end-customer.
This hardware is on-the-shelf with delivery expected to be completed prior to 2025 year end or in early Q1 2026, and payment expected in Q1 2026.

30 December 2025 – DroneShield (ASX:DRO), a global leader in counter-drone technology, today announced it has secured an $8.2 million contract to supply counter-drone capabilities to a Western military end customer through an in-country reseller.

The contract, placed through an in-country reseller, includes handheld counter-drone systems, associated accessories and spare kits, and ongoing software updates. The reseller is a wholly owned subsidiary of a global, publicly listed defense and technology organization responsible for distribution to the military customer within the region.

The award builds on a long-standing relationship between DroneShield and the reseller, with multiple programs supported over the past seven years. The continued engagement reflects DroneShield’s ability to deliver reliable, field-ready counter-drone solutions that can be deployed quickly and integrated into existing force structures.

Image: DroneShield RfPatrol Mk2

Handheld counter-drone systems remain a critical capability for modern military operations, particularly for dismounted units operating in dynamic and contested environments. These solutions provide immediate situational awareness, identification, and protection against uncrewed aerial threats, supporting force survivability and operational freedom across a wide range of mission profiles.

The contract also highlights broader trends shaping military procurement, including the need for scalable counter-drone solutions, accelerated delivery timelines, and technologies that can adapt to rapidly evolving threat environments.

As DroneShield enters 2026, the company continues to see strong global momentum across defense and security markets, driven by increased focus on airspace protection, layered counter-drone architectures, and the growing role of unmanned systems in modern conflict.

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

Blast from the Past – Objective Force Warrior? What’s That?

January 1st, 2026

This article was first published in 2014 and I thought it would be a great way to kick off the new year.

I just realized that many of my readers have no idea what Objective Force Warrior or its follow-on, Future Force Warrior are all about and I’m afraid some may think it’s something new. Objective Force Warrior was one of many Soldier Modernization Programs which trace their way back to Soldier Integrated Protective Ensemble in the early 90s to 21st Century Land Warrior to simply Land Warrior and then OFW in the early 00s. You could go on for days talking about what they wanted it to do. If you want to really delve into it, download a vision document below.

Click to view .pdfFor our purposes, the system was intended to integrate with the conceptual Objective Force that would have provided the Army with a new family of ground and air vehicles under Future Combat System. Unfortunately, like FCS, it wasn’t fielded but influenced overall development.

What’s important to you is that it’s where Crye Associates made their bones and many staples of modern Soldier Systems spun out from that program. Working in conjunction with other firms such as Juggernaut Defense and Artisent (which sold off as Ops-Core to Gentex) as well as large contract system integrators, Crye was responsible for the clothing, load bearing and armor components of this Soldier Digitization effort.

As with most of these programs, lots of money is poured into the software and comms portion and relatively little effort and funding is put toward the clothing and individual equipment components. With many of these programs actual development of the system’s digital operating environment becomes virtual and during program reviews and Congressional dog and pony shows, Crye’s efforts became the face of the program. They produced prototypes that a Soldier could wear and that looked unlike anything else out there. I’d say that they kept that program moving for as long as it did. The clothing and armor developed by Crye was something you could actually see and lay your hands on. Eventually, after a name change to Future Force Warrior and facing actual combat in multiple theaters, the Army let the project drift away with the C4I component transitioning over time to Nett Warrior.

Industrial Design house Crye Associates founded Crye Precision based on the success of their work on FFW and after commercialization, caught the eye of the Special Operations community. The rest you should know.

Ultimately, four critical Soldier Systems technologies find their roots in FFW and with Crye:

MultiCam Camouflage Pattern – It began life as Scorpion for use with FFW but Crye Precision refined the pattern for commercial use and later provided modified variants of the pattern for both the UK (Multi Terrain Pattern) and Australia (Australian MultiCam Pattern). In 2009, the US Army selected MultiCam for use in Afghanistan as the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP). In 2010, Crye Precision developed Woodland and Arid patterns for the US Army’s Camouflage Improvement Effort. They were selected as finalists along with three other companies. In late 2013, Crye Precision introduced four new patterns to complement the decade old Transitional pattern: Alpine, Arid, Black and Tropical.

Combat Uniforms – The concept of producing a shirt that combines a moisture wicking torso with heavy duty sleeves for wear with armor systems was unheard of prior to OFW. The same goes for garments with integrated knee and elbow protection. Now, these concepts are accepted as state of the art.

Crye Armor Chassis – Crye Precision’s armor chassis took an entirely fresh approach to body armor, combining special, ergonomically shaped armor plates in such a way to allow movement. It has been adopted for use by niche forces and has influenced armor design.

Close Fitting Modular Combat Helmets – While the material science wasn’t quite there yet when the OFW/FFW helmet demonstrators were built, several companies produced enhanced combat helmets over the years including Crye Precision’s AirFrame which fits very close to the contour of the head.

ID Magazine did a great article on Crye’s participation in the project which we offer here for historical purposes.

(Click image to view the article.)

Tags: Crye Precision, FFW, OFW
Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Clothing, Design, Helmets, History | 5 Comments »

USMC Releases Message Regarding Approved Training Requirements for Small Unmanned Aerial Systems

January 1st, 2026

Kudos to the Marine Corps for consolidating the training for the raid expansion of attritable drones across the force. Last week they released MARADMIN, “Approved Training Requirements for Small Unmanned Aerial Systems” which announces six courses open to all Marines:

Basic Drone Operator (BD-O) Course: “Provide the foundational skills required to assemble, maintain and operate both full-acro and stabilized non-lethal drones in an operational environment.”

Attack Drone Operator (AD-O) Course: “Provide the foundational skills required to tactically employ lethal attack drones.”

Attack Drone Leader (AD-L) Course: “Provide the instructional understanding of Fire Support Plan integration, threat assessment, system capabilities and coordination with maneuver and fires.”

Payload Specialist (PS) Course: “Provide the foundational skills and basic knowledge for safe explosive handling and preparation of pre-fabricated warheads used to arm lethal drones in an operational environment.”

Attack Drone Instructor (AD-I) Course: “Provide the instructional skills required to administer and certify Marines in the BD-O, AD-O, and AD-L courses.”

Payload Specialist Instructor (PS-I) Course: “Provide the instructional skills required to administer and certify Marines in the PS course.”

There is also additional training which is MOS specific. Finally, the message offers some details about types of drones hitting the fleet.

We’ve included the whole MARADMIN at the jump. Please note, we have redacted all contact info for POCs.
Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Drone, Training, USMC | No Comments »

Happy New Year!

January 1st, 2026

Posted in Admin | 2 Comments »

Lee Wise Named President of W.S. Darley & Co.

December 31st, 2025

Paul C. Darley Continues as CEO and Chairman, Ensuring Strong Leadership, Continuity and Seamless Transition

Paul C. Darley

Itasca, IL, December 31, 2025 – W.S. Darley & Co., a leading provider of firefighting, emergency, and defense equipment, is proud to announce a decade-long succession plan with the appointment of Lee Wise as its new President effective January 1, 2026. Lee Wise succeeds Paul C. Darley, who has served in the role for 30 years. Lee will continue to report to Paul in his on-going roles as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, guiding the company’s strategic vision and long-term growth.

Lee Wise

Lee currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Darley. His promotion to President marks a significant milestone in the company’s storied history, as the first non-family member to assume this role in 118 years. Recognized for his extensive industry experience at Rockwell-Collins and Brunswick and steadfast alignment with the company’s core values, Lee has earned the full support of the Darley Board, management team, and the entire family.

“Our succession plan has been in progress for over a decade. Lee brings the perfect blend of corporate and defense experience, coupled with a passion for driving growth. His leadership style and ethical approach align perfectly with our professional family culture,” said Paul Darley. “He has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our mission and to the communities we serve. The Darley family, most notably our fourth generation, stands united behind Lee as he steps into this important role.”

Audrey Darley Welch, Vice President of Defense Supply Chain added, “All fourth-generation family members working in the business are fully united in our support of Lee. His outside perspective and proven leadership will play a critical role as we continue to professionalize the organization and pursue our next phase of growth. We look forward to learning from Lee and working together to advance the legacy our family has built over generations.”

“I am honored to step into the role of President at Darley, and deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by our Board of Directors, shareholders, and colleagues. Their confidence inspires me, and I am committed to honoring our values and driving meaningful progress together,” comments Lee.

As President, Lee will oversee daily operations, drive innovation, and continue to strengthen relationships with customers, partners, and employees. His appointment ensures that Darley remains at the forefront of the industry, delivering excellence and reliability to those who depend on its products and services. Lee resides in Lincolnshire, IL with his wife, Nicole, and their three children. For more details, visit our Inside Darley video series.

Posted in Advertiser, Industry, Press Release | No Comments »

Interagency Senior Leaders Discuss Tactics on Advancing Counter UAS Efforts

December 31st, 2025

Joint interagency and law enforcement senior leaders met to establish a shared understanding of counter-small unmanned aerial system threat detection and mitigation best practices during a law enforcement symposium hosted by the Joint Task Force National Capital Region at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, Dec. 11.

The joint task force, in partnership with Joint Interagency Task Force 401, used lessons learned from a recent counter-small UAS exercise held at Fort McNair, Washington, to bridge knowledge gaps and strengthen partnerships.&

The symposium brought together leaders from the War Department, civilian law enforcement and World Cup host cities to discuss counter-small UAS capabilities and limitations, as well as optimizing resource sharing and procurement.

“The goal of the day is to be able to share the lessons learned from our recent threat simulation exercise and work together to strengthen the law enforcement correlation, as required for high-profile events that are on the horizon,” said Army Brig. Gen. Antoinette Gant, joint task force commanding general.

The joint task force remains committed to leading these efforts in the National Capital Region to ensure collaboration that is necessary to evolving and increased security challenges, Gant said.

“We must leverage the insights we gained today to enhance our small UAS capabilities and our operational readiness as we continue to break down barriers internally and externally to the military and interagency, state and local law enforcement partners,” the general said.

The increased use of small UAS, or drones, presents a rapidly evolving threat landscape that requires a coordinated approach and cooperation across all government agencies to effectively address everything from detection and tracking to mitigation and neutralization.

“The problem with a drone is it is completely indifferent to land boundaries, it’s completely indifferent to where federal property becomes state property, becomes a local monitor area, and the violence that can be inflicted is nearly limitless because of the low price,” said Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll. “From the Army perspective, now is the time we have to [take on this challenge], we have to do it together.”

Effective counter-small UAS threat mitigation requires real-time information sharing between federal, state and local entities, and establishing clear command and control structures during incidents. This was expertly demonstrated in the recent exercise at Fort McNair, where the joint task force worked with local law enforcement to detect and mitigate simulated small UAS threats.

“It’s not a matter of if, but when we’ll have to exercise our counter drone defenses,” said Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, Joint Interagency Task Force 401 director. “We all share the same sense of urgency to keep pace with this growing threat, and I believe that collectively in this room, we’ve got the resources, and the expertise to keep the public safe. Nothing is more important than the homeland, our people, our first responders, and supporting warfighters both at home and abroad.”

By Army SGT Tien-Dat Ngo, Defense Media Activity

Posted in C-UAS, Guest Post | Comments Off on Interagency Senior Leaders Discuss Tactics on Advancing Counter UAS Efforts

Red Clover Gear Slick-R

December 31st, 2025

Developed by Black Hills Design, the Slick-R is now available from their rebrand site Red Clover Gear.

Offering a universal fit for plate size and shape, the Slick-R is designed to carry hard plates in a covert role. Made from Squadron laminate, it’s extremely lightweight.

Offered in Black, Ranger Green, Wolf Grey and MultiCam.

redclovergear.com/products/slick-r

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