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2 weeks ago | 
thedefensepost.com | Joe Saballa
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has unveiled “Iron Beam 450,” the latest evolution of its high-energy laser system, now equipped with a significantly larger 450-millimeter beam director. The upgraded aperture marks a leap from the previous 250mm model, allowing the system to track and engage threats at much greater distances with sharper accuracy. The extra size also helps the beam stay focused longer, even when dealing with turbulence, dust, or other atmospheric interference.
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2 weeks ago | 
thedefensepost.com | Joe Saballa
A new satellite antenna from US-based Kymeta can connect to Ku- and Ka-band networks at the same time, highlighting a technical first that could reshape how military platforms stay connected in the field. Until now, operating across two bands typically requires separate antennas, adding weight, power needs, and complexity. Kymeta’s new design brings it all together in one device.
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2 weeks ago | 
thedefensepost.com | Joe Saballa
Lockheed Martin has signed a strategic agreement with a Portuguese industry group to explore opportunities for local participation in the F-35 program should Lisbon reverse its decision not to procure the American fighter jet.
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2 weeks ago | 
thedefensepost.com | Joe Saballa
Russia is manufacturing as much ammunition in three months as all NATO members produce in a year, underscoring growing concerns over the alliance’s industrial capacity. The warning came from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during an interview at the Chatham House think tank in London, where he emphasized the urgent need to ramp up production to prepare for potential future conflicts.
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2 weeks ago | 
thedefensepost.com | Joe Saballa
A high-ranking US Army officer has proposed equipping units with 3D printers alongside weapons to enable critical battlefield repairs when immediate support is not available. Speaking during a recent congressional hearing, Gen.
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2 weeks ago | 
thedefensepost.com | Joe Saballa
The world of classified intelligence just got an AI upgrade. American firm Anthropic is behind a new artificial intelligence tool designed to handle the military’s most sensitive defense information. Called “Claude Gov,” the custom-built large language model, akin to OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini, securely processes classified data and sharpens intelligence analysis across defense, language, and cybersecurity.
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2 weeks ago | 
thedefensepost.com | Joe Saballa
The US Army has awarded Oshkosh Defense a $27.6-million contract for a new batch of Medium Equipment Trailers (METs), strengthening its investment in ground logistics. The order covers 55 trailers and falls under a five-year agreement for the delivery of up to 557 units. It follows a $27.3-million order placed last year for 57 METs.According to Oshkosh, the trailers provide a “reliable solution” to support the army’s modernization efforts and address evolving logistics and transport requirements.
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2 weeks ago | 
thedefensepost.com | Joe Saballa
MD Helicopters is pitching its five-bladed MD 530F as the US Army’s next training platform to prepare the next generation of military pilots. The aircraft, designed to replicate the operational characteristics of rotorcraft like the UH-60M Black Hawk, AH-64E Apache, and CH-47F Chinook, promises a realistic training experience that mirrors real-world flight conditions.
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2 weeks ago | 
thedefensepost.com | Joe Saballa
Texas-based aerospace firm Skyways has secured a $37-million contract from the US Air Force to advance its V3 autonomous cargo drone from prototyping to full-rate production. Under the deal, the company will finalize the drone’s production design, scale up manufacturing, and continue developing its autonomy stack. The goal is to eventually deploy thousands of V3 drones for cargo and logistics operations across both defense and commercial sectors.
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2 weeks ago | 
thedefensepost.com | Joe Saballa
The UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has adopted a cutting-edge underwater robot designed to protect the country’s critical subsea infrastructure. The commercially-available remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is capable of detecting, disarming, and removing threats that pose risks to undersea cables, pipelines, and other strategic subsea assets. It is also capable of clearing legacy unexploded ordnance, which poses hazards to vessels and divers responding to sabotage threats.
