Laura Heckmann

2 days ago | nationaldefensemagazine.org | Laura Heckmann

The Army is moving on from both its battle-worn High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle — better known as the Humvee — and the program intended to replace it, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. The decision has been met with varying degrees of surprise and uncertainty from those left in its dust.

2 days ago | nationaldefensemagazine.org | Laura Heckmann

EVENDALE, Ohio — GE Aerospace and Kratos Defense and Security Solutions are teaming up to take small engines to the next level by developing a 1,500-pound thrust engine aimed at powering unmanned systems such as collaborative combat aircraft. The two companies announced June 2 a formal teaming agreement to scale the design of the industry duo’s GEK800 small turbofan engine — a partnership started in 2023 to build a family of affordable small engines — up to a GEK1500 with 1,500 pounds of thrust.

4 days ago | realcleardefense.com | Laura Heckmann

The Next Generation Squad Weapon program recently achieved a classification milestone that confirms the system meets Army standards for operational performance

5 days ago | nationaldefensemagazine.org | Laura Heckmann

The Next Generation Squad Weapon program recently achieved a classification milestone that confirms the system meets Army standards for operational performance, safety and sustainment, having overcome toxic fume challenges that plagued the program’s early stages. The designation, called Type Classification - Standard, was awarded in May to the M7 rifle and M250 belt-fed automatic rifle, the Army announced.

1 week ago | nationaldefensemagazine.org | Laura Heckmann

— French drone manufacturer Parrot SA introduced a family of compact micro-drones that can operate fully offline and carries a new "drone brain" using advanced artificial intelligence that can also serve as an autopilot for any unmanned aerial vehicle.The sensor drone, called the ANAFI UKR, is the next generation of Parrot’s ANAFI USA drone, originally built for the U.S. market in 2018, said Marie Calleux, drone software manager at Parrot said in an interview at the Paris Air Show June 19.The...