Weapons & Technologies Archives

Rheinmetall and MBDA Deliver 20 kW Shipborne Laser to WTD 91 for Meppen Drone Defense Trials

Berlin – Germany’s naval laser demonstrator has moved from sea to shore. The Rheinmetall–MBDA system transferred to the Bundeswehr’s Laser Competence Centre at WTD 91 in Meppen after a year of trials on the air-defense frigate Sachsen. Company materials note “fully operational

October 28, 2025

Missiles / Drones / Directed Energy

Rafael Introduces L-SPIKE 4X High-Speed Loitering Munition

Rafael’s U.S. subsidiary introduced a rocket-powered loitering munition, the L-SPIKE 4X, during the Association of the United States Army exhibition in mid-October. The company presents it as a “Launched Effect” that complements the wider SPIKE family and uses legacy SPIKE launchers and

October 14, 2025

Air & Missile Defense Systems

Maj. Gen. Lozano Signals Program Reset for Next-Generation Patriot Interceptor

A year after shelving plans for a new Patriot interceptor, the U.S. Army is moving back toward a Lower-Tier Future Interceptor. Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano, the Army’s program executive officer for Missiles and Space, told an audience in Washington he expects support

October 19, 2025

Air & Missile Defense Systems

Army Plans Biennial Counter-Drone Competitions to Accelerate Soldier and Unit Defenses

Col. Guy Yelverton, who leads the Army’s counter-drone product office, told an AUSA audience the service will run industry competitions “at least at an every two-year cycle” to match fast-changing threats and reduce delays between demonstrations and fielding. “We need to ensure

October 14, 2025

AI & Autonomy

Air Force Maintains Collaborative Combat Aircraft Flight Testing Through Government Shutdown

An Air Force official said the Collaborative Combat Aircraft effort continued through the funding lapse with no direct program impacts. “Personnel supporting critical test and development activities were identified as excepted and returned from furlough to ensure continuity of operations and avoid

October 23, 2025

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Thompson

Air & Missile Defense Systems

Air Force Cancels Integrated Capabilities Command, Reassigns Duties to Air Force Futures

The Air Force will not proceed with a stand-alone Integrated Capabilities Command. Leadership will fold the planned command’s functions into Air Force Futures, the A5/7 organization at the Pentagon, and establish a new Chief Modernization Officer to steer the work. The department

October 15, 2025

Air & Missile Defense Systems

Anduril Wins Army Counter-UAS Fire-Control Competition

The Army named Anduril the winner of its competition for a new counter-drone fire-control system run with the Defense Innovation Unit. Defense officials confirm the October 15 selection followed competitive testing. The award covers fire-control software for counter-UAS that fuses sensor tracks

October 18, 2025

AI & Autonomy

Netherlands Joins U.S. Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program with Full Development Access

The Netherlands signed a letter of intent on October 16 in Washington to join the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft effort. State Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman signed at the Dutch Embassy during Defense Industry Days. The Dutch Ministry of Defence

October 16, 2025

Cybersecurity & Electronic Warfare

Space Force to Fund Low-Power Radar Warning Receivers for GEO Satellites

Two Direct to Phase II SBIR awards, each worth $3 million over 24 months, will fly radar-warning receiver payloads on Space Force spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. Program staff plan to select two vendors before year’s end. Defense officials confirm coordination to raise

October 13, 2025

Missiles / Drones / Directed Energy

U.S. Navy hints at air-launched Blackbeard hypersonic missile as services fund integration

As of 28 October 2025, Castelion holds U.S. Navy and U.S. Army awards to integrate its Blackbeard hypersonic weapon on operational platforms, with live-fire events in scope. A Navy study conducted in 2024 defined strict size and weight limits for an air-carried

October 28, 2025