Analysis & Reports

The U.S. Army is developing three prototypes of the HADES spy plane, with the first expected to be delivered by January 2027. However, production plans are jeopardized by delays in the approval of the 2027 budget, as lawmakers have not yet passed the necessary spending bill. A senior defense official warned that the continuing resolution complicates the Army's ability to move forward with production.

The U.S. Army announced the creation of the U.S. Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM) on October 1, 2023, to oversee autonomous systems. This initiative includes a new acquisition office focused on prioritizing the purchase of autonomous systems by fiscal 2028. Additionally, the Army is working to integrate these systems into various military units and is establishing the Autonomous Warfare Command (AutoWarCom) by October 1, 2027, to enhance military capabilities.

Sig Sauer is developing specialized suppressors to reduce toxic gas blowback for military use, particularly for training and combat scenarios. The company aims to achieve a 70% reduction in toxic gas emissions, responding to health concerns raised by U.S. Special Operations Command. This initiative follows a $48 million contract awarded in 2017 and involves advanced manufacturing techniques to create effective suppressor designs. The Army has yet to request a combination of training and combat suppressors, but Sig Sauer is prepared to meet future demands.

DARPA awarded Abram Scientific an $8.3 million contract to develop CoagCare, a handheld device for rapid blood clotting assessment, announced on October 13, 2025. This device aims to enhance trauma care for wounded troops by providing quick information on blood clotting, crucial for transfusion decisions in battlefield conditions. The project is part of DARPA's broader RAPIID initiative to improve medical technology for military applications.

Leonardo DRS received a $63 million production order from the U.S. Army for its Family of Weapon Sights–Individual (FWS-I) on October 13. The FWS-I is a clip-on thermal sight that wirelessly connects to soldiers' night vision goggles, improving target acquisition and situational awareness. This order is part of an existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for thermal weapon sights used by dismounted troops.

Israel Aerospace Industries and SIG SAUER conducted a live-fire test of the FIRE STORM 250 drone in Washington on October 13. The drone, equipped with the M250 machine gun, demonstrated its targeting capabilities and accuracy during the trial. Designed for small tactical units, it offers close air support and border security with a flight endurance of up to three hours.

Teledyne FLIR Defense unveiled the Ranger R10-3DX, a compact counter-UAS radar system, in Washington. This radar is designed for various missions, including counter-drone operations and security, capable of detecting threats at significant distances. It employs advanced technology for tracking multiple targets and can be installed in fixed or mobile configurations.

Northrop Grumman and Barrett Firearms announced their collaboration to manufacture a 25 mm grenade launcher for the Precision Grenadier System during the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual meeting in Washington on October 12, 2023. This system is designed to enable infantry squads to effectively target enemies behind cover and engage small drones. Barrett will produce the launcher in Nashville, while Northrop Grumman leads the overall system development and ammunition production.

MARTAC integrated SEA.AI's maritime machine vision system into its unmanned surface vessels, enhancing their ability to autonomously classify and monitor other vessels. This integration was announced on October 13, 2023, and is part of the U.S. Navy's efforts to improve operational capabilities in surveillance and security missions. The Devil Ray T38 successfully completed an eight-day autonomous mission off California, demonstrating the effectiveness of this technology in real-world scenarios.

Echodyne and Allen Control Systems signed a collaboration agreement to integrate EchoShield radar with the Bullfrog autonomous weapon station for counter-drone operations. This partnership aims to enhance the capabilities of U.S. forces by providing advanced tracking and engagement systems for drones. The Bullfrog system is already in service with U.S. military branches and has been selected for various defense contracts, including a $6.2 million deal with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Oshkosh Defense began production of the Kaaiman vehicle prototype for the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps on October 13, 2025. The Netherlands Ministry of Defence ordered 150 units, with deliveries expected in 2028. The Kaaiman is tailored for coastal operations and features enhancements for off-road mobility and maritime use.

AZAK was added to the U.S. Army’s Infantry Last Tactical Mile program on October 12, 2025, to develop uncrewed ground vehicles for logistics and casualty evacuation. The company’s innovative S26 wheel module integrates key components into each wheel, allowing for versatile vehicle configurations. The Army has evaluated AZAK's technology through multiple trials, leading to a formal agreement to field its vehicles with operational units.

The U.S. Army officially named its new cannon the XM1776 Mobile Tactical Cannon during a ceremony in Washington on October 12, 2023. The Army has ordered nine prototypes from Hanwha Defense USA, with an option for nine additional units. This new artillery system is based on the K9 Mobile Howitzer and aims to enhance the Army's long-range precision fires capabilities. The first prototype was displayed at a recent Army event.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled HawkGuard, a new active protection system against aerial threats, at the AUSA Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. on October 12, 2026. This system enhances IAI's multi-layered Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) architecture by introducing kinetic interception capabilities. HawkGuard is designed for flexible deployment on various platforms and aims to address the growing challenge posed by drones.

The U.S. Department of Defense is recruiting around 100 military personnel with experience in flying FPV drones as part of its drone dominance program, announced on October 8, 2023. This initiative, part of an $11 billion investment, aims to enhance the U.S. drone industry and establish a permanent roster of drone operators. Selected pilots will gain hands-on experience with advanced drone models and specialized training for attack drones.

Uvision and Wayland Autonomy announced the integration of Wayland's IRIS airborne imaging payload into Uvision's Tactical CORTEX architecture at AUSA in Washington D.C. from October 10-12, 2026. This collaboration enhances ISR capabilities, allowing for effective target generation and situational awareness in GPS-denied environments. The HERO 400Q drone equipped with IRIS will provide long-range ISR and actionable targeting information.

The U.S. Air Force is advancing the development of the Boeing F-47 stealth fighter, with its first flight scheduled for 2028, while China is already operating its sixth-generation jets. The Air Force is employing a new testing strategy that combines developmental and operational testing to expedite the F-47's production. Preparations for full-rate production are currently underway at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

In 2009, a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler achieved a simulated kill against a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor during an exercise at Nellis Air Force Base. The Growler utilized electronic warfare tactics and maneuvered into the F-22's blind spots to lock on with an AIM-120 AMRAAM. This incident raised questions about the effectiveness of fifth-generation stealth fighters in constrained scenarios.

The U.S. Army unveiled the XM1776 howitzer prototype in Washington, D.C., which can fire up to 37 miles and has a crew of three. This new artillery piece, developed by Hanwha Defense USA, offers greater mobility and firepower than the M777 howitzer. The Army aims to enhance its long-range precision fire capabilities with this new system, which is part of a broader modernization effort.

Twenty-Six Defense unveiled Primex, a new soldier-worn technology, at the AUSA expo in Texas. This lightweight wearable provides soldiers with night-vision capabilities and augmented reality features to enhance situational awareness. The company also showcased additional military equipment, including the XM1168 mobile 120mm mortar system and the SkyStriker Block 4E.