The 120 mm cargo munition jointly developed by the Swiss company RUAG and Israel Military Industries (IMI) is one of the ammunition types proposed for the AMOS system. M971 mortar bomb carries 32 x M87 dual purpose (anti-personnel/anti-material/armor) submunitions. Each bomblet has can penetrate up to 105mm of steel and releases 1200 preformatted fragments. According to IMI a single cargo round covers a lethality area of 100×100 meters. The bomblets are equipped with dual-action self destruct fuses to minimize hazardous duds.
Martha Battlespace Management System
Thales is developing an improved version of the Martha Battlespace Management System designed for the French Army to improve its capability to coordinate and control the operations of helicopters, UAVs, field artillery and air defence artillery in the battlefield. The system provides integrated control of short-, very-short and medium-range defence systems including Roland and Mistral weapon systems and eventually, the SAMP/T as it is fielded. It is comprised of two independent functional processes.
The air defence centre is a command, control and coordination centre, managing the land based air defence fire in real time. This centre is linked to the Air Force command and control systems (ACCS) and is interoperable with the other main command systems of the French Army and allied forces. A separate command element plans and controls field deployment and manoeuvres of the air defence units. The modular computer system employed with the Martha system provides a local tactical air picture by fusing data from a range of radars and system that contribute to the creation of aerial situation, as provided by the Air Force.
The system deploys with forward command elements inside air transportable, mobile shelters that provide full NBC and electromagnetic protection. The number of centres deployed depends on the category of mission and type and quantity of weapon systems involved and can adapt rapidly to force manoeuvres without interrupting operational service. Stage one (first-level coordination (NC1) of Roland and Mistral weapon systems) was awarded to Thales in 1999. Martha stage two is designed to coordinate NC1 centres through a higher-level coordination centre (NC2) and to ensure interoperability between Air Force and Army systems.
M-113 Upgrading
An example of mine protection was demonstrated by GIAT with KPAM kit, designed for the M-113. The vehicle can be equipped with blast mitigation panels attached to the floor, track sill and wheel bay. The KPAM kit can be tailored to sustain level 2 (6kg blast mine) through level 4 (10kg AT blast mine) mine blasts, as well as TMRP-6 shaped charge mines. For add-on ballistic protection, GIAT use various materials for added protection from 25 – 35 mm threats. The suit demonstrated on an M-113 includes aluminum armor for the top deck, LIBA ceramic composites for add-on side protection, very high hardness steel for bottom (counter mine and IED) protection and lightweight titanium alloy for the front (providing uncompromised protection and access to the engine). Reactive add-on armor is also proposed by GIAT for light and heavy armored vehicles. The BRENUS reactive armor kit utilizes the BSG2 bricks and U12 cases, designed to protect against hollow-charges threats such as anti-tank (CE) rounds and RPGs while BSG3 bricks are designed to protect against combined effect bomblets and top attacks. Defensive aids suite such as the KCBM complements the add-on protection suit, with the installation of laser warning receiver, Gallix smoke and countermeasures dischargers and infrared jammer
Mangust Fast Patrol Boats
Two designs from Russia include the Mirage (Project 14310) and Mangust (Model 12150). The Mirage is designed with electrically controlled stabilizing fins which reduce the roll, pitch and vertical acceleration and enable the boat to remain operational in rough seas up to Sea State 7. It is equipped with two M520 diesel engines which provides a maximum speed of 48-50 knots. Mangust, a 19.45 meters patrol boat, has a fully loaded displacement of 26.2 tons. Powered by two Zveda M470 diesels, it develops a maximum speed of up to 50 knots. Mangust can endure missions of 1 – 2 days, manned with a crew of 6 men. Both types have similar weaponry including machine gun mounts that can accommodate 7.62mm, 14.5 mm machine guns, as well as AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers. Mirage, and the heavier version of the Mangust boat (Mangust-V) are also equipped with an AK-306 weapons mount comprising of an integrated, electrically driven six-barrel gun, four Vikhr medium range guided missiles, electro-optical guidance and fire control system, which can be used for precision attack of surface targets at sea, or land attack.
M395 Precision Guided Mortar Munition (PGMM)
M395 Precision Guided Mortar Munition (PGMM) is under development at ATK. The weapon will provide the tactical commander with ‘surgical’ strike capability, to destroy high value / high risk targets. The new bomb retains the dimensions and logistics of standard 120mm bombs. The PGMM projectile flies ballistically to a laser-designated target, maneuvers in flight, and delivers its warhead for maximum effectiveness while minimizing collateral damage. Its modular design allows enhancements to meet future combat soldier requirements in range and lethality. For guidance it uses quadruple laser sensors, located at four slotted windows around. Once a laser spot illuminated the target is detected, miniature charges attached around the bomb’s outer skin are activated to adjust the bomb’s trajectory to accurately hit the target. ATK also utilized the advanced MOFA fuse to achieve optimal terminal effect when defeating bunkers and built-up targets. Using such munitions could increase the future effective range from 0.5 up to 15km. PGMM will not use rocket assistance for range enhancement, but utilize aerodynamic surfaces for the mid-course gliding. On the terminal phase, a semi-active laser homing seeker acquires the target and guide the munition to impact. Initial productions of the PGMM will be equipped with semi-active laser seekers, and be capable of a range of 7.5 km. Follow-on systems could have optional thermal imager, and extended range capability, as well as more choices for fuzes and warheads. The IR seeker will detect and classify targets, process the information automatically into navigation (GPS), guidance and control subsystems to ensure first-hit-on-target. A self-destruct mechanism eliminates the collateral damage from duds, for advancing troops. PGMM Passes PDR By early January 2006 ATK and the U.S. Army have successfully completed the preliminary design review (PDR) of the Precision Guided Mortar Munition (PGMM). The PDR is one of several milestones in the program launched in late 2004. The next milestone is the critical design review in 2006. According to the schedule, low rate initial production is to begin in 2008, leading to the fielding of the new munition by 2010. The Army is considering an earlier fielding date of 2009 given success in system demonstrations planned for 2006-07. PGMM will give U.S. soldiers unmatched precision capability in a standard 120mm mortar. Launched from the currently-fielded 120mm mortar tube, PGMM will fly in excess of seven kilometers and hit its target with one meter accuracy. “PGMM will give the maneuver commander his own multipurpose indirect fire precision strike munition. This highly affordable munition will quickly eliminate high value targets without causing collateral damage,” said LTC (P) Andre Kirnes, Product Manager for Mortar Systems.
Volcano Artillery Guided Munition
Firing tests of the new extended range ammunition were performed in May 2004, testing the Volcano extended range precision guided munition. So far 30 round were fired for ballistic testing. The Volcano is designed for 155/52 howitzers with all modular charges in service with German and Italian Armies, as well as 127mm naval guns, in service with the Dutch and Italian Navies. Initial production of the Phase I (unguided) version is expected for 2007 while the follow-on guided version is scheduled to follow by 2011.
PAWS EO Missile Warning System
Elisra’s Passive (EO) Missile Warning System (MWS) provides a key element in advanced self protection systems for fighter aircraft, helicopters, transports and commercial aircraft. can also track a threat throughout the engagement. By using infrared imagery and signal processing, PAWS-2 detects and tracks incoming missile’s hot plume as it appears within a protective sphere surrounding the aircraft. The system discriminates between threatening and non-threatening missiles, by evaluating the missile’s trajectories. When a threat is detected, PAWS-2 alerts the aircrew and automatically activates countermeasures (flares, chaff, decoys and DIRCM). PAWS can track the threat throughout the engagement. After detecting a missile threat, the system filters the background clutter by a applying several processing techniques, including narrow spectral window, optimized for real-time signal processing, and by applying an adaptive threshold. Threat assessment is determined by a rapid target algorithm, which tracks each threat frame-by-frame, and analyzes target maneuverability, relative position, inertial data and angular velocity and intensity. When it detects a threatening missile, PAWS-2 automatically alerts the pilot with a warning signal and activates countermeasures while also providing accurate information to Directional Infra-Red Counter-Measures (DIRCM). PAWS-2 also provides threat information to other EW systems as part of an EW suite, as well as to avionics subsystems. It can also operate as a stand-alone system. Designed and developed specifically to protect fighters from SAMs and MANPADs, PAWS-2 systems are designed for fighter aircraft and has already deployed with Israel’s F-16Is. PAWS-1 systems are already deployed on IDF combat and assault helicopters.
Advanced 120mm Mortar Munition
XM984 Extended Range Mortar Cartridge (ERMC) is currently under development for the US Army 120 mm M120/M121 mortar system. Compared to a conventional M934 bomb fired from this system will reach a maximum range of 7,200 metres, the XM984 is expected to almost double the range, to reach 12,000 m’. The range extension being produced by a nose-mounted rocket motor that cuts in at a pre-determined point during the bomb’s trajectory. The rocket will fire 12 seconds after the launch, and burn for a period of four seconds. After a predestinated delay, 54 M80 grenades will be released from the bomb, effecting a target are 233 percent larger than an HE bomb.
XM29 Objctive Individual Combat Weapon (OICW)
The XM29 Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) is under development as future replacement to the current M16/M4/M203 individual weapon system. The new weapon will have twice the effectiveness, standoff range (beyond 1,000 m’) and probability of incapacitation of targets compared to current M4/M203 weapons. It aims to combine the lethality of 20-mm programmable air-bursting munitions and 5.56-mm NATO ammunition combined with rugged, full-solution fire control system which will provide Future Force Warriors (FFW) with the firepower, precision and control they are required to use. The weapon is designed as a lightweight system, integrated with built-in a laser range finder and laser pointer, and illuminator for target acquisition. Aiming cues will be projected on the optical sight, based on ballistic computations processed by an integral fire control computer. The weapon will programmable switches for operation of various systems, such as radio, image recording and targeting. The systems will also have environmental sensors, electronic compass, target tracker, laser steering and thermal modules. Under development since 2002, the new weapon is expected to mature by 2006 and enter full production by 2008.
The U.S. Army is exploring a new 5.56-mm carbine design designated XM8 Lightweight Assault Rifle. Now being developed under a contract modification awarded by the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., to Alliant Techsystems, the XM8 is based on the 5.56-mm kinetic-energy weapon component of the XM29 OICW. Offering levels of integration, modularity and scalability, the XM8 will be approximately one pound lighter than the M4 carbine.
INTEGRAN – Ceramic Armor Manufacturer
Integran utilizes a new nanoparticles based process of armor plating, resulting in increasing toughness index by 2.5 times over the US Army specifications for FCS. According to Integran, using these manufacturing techniques and materials, the weight of armor plates can be reduced by a factor of 7, compared to current materials.
Mobile Satellite Broadcast Terminal
ERA has developed a low cost, very low profile scanning antenna allowing direct commercial broadcast TV services to be delivered to mobile users such as automobiles on the move. The antenna is designed for operation at Ku band, packed in a 100mm thick module. The technology can readily be extended to Ka-Band and to other applications such as military or commercial aerospace. The terminal is the size of a laptop computer and has been used for real time data transfer over satellite at data rates of up to 256kbps.
Future Soldier Technologies
Future Soldier Programs (FSP) are addressing changing requirements for infantry systems, transformed from armored and mechanized mobile combat to littoral, urban and surgical type low-intensity conflict operations. Among the systems considered for such programs are a family of helmet-mounted integrated systems, designed for Land Warrior.
These systems include helmet mounted display and daylight video sight. For the future Force Warrior (FFW), an integrated headgear is designed, providing the dismounted soldier with increased situational awareness. Kaiser Electro-Optics Inc, from the Rockwell Collins company has developed a compact, helmet mounted high resolution Super VGA display that can be integrated with standard hand held or wearable computers.
Designated ProView SO35 it uses a monocular full-color AM OLED display. The system weighs 346 gram, of which 146 gr. are helmet mounted. The display area provided by the system is 28 degrees wide by 21 deg. high, at a resolution of 800×600 pixels or 22×17 at a resolution of 640×480 pixels.
A different type of helmet mounted display is provided for soldiers operating from combat vehicles. The HTVS offers continuous monitoring of electro-optical sensors, even when the soldier is observing from the vehicle, operating machine guns or other systems. The HTVS integrates a head mounted display, head tracking system, high speed gimbals and infrared, thermal or Image intensifier camera.
LVOSS – Light Vehicle Obscurant Smoke Syste
Non lethal munitions can also be fired from the 66mm light vehicle obscurant smoke system (M304 LVOSS) launchers. Typical non lethal munitions for such application include the rubber ball and flash-bang grenades. Both munitions are designed to affect area targets at longer standoff range. They can be fired at a range of 80 – 100 meters and burst at the impact area. The flash/bang is used mainly for temporary distraction and warning, while rubber-ball non-penetrating payload is used to repel crowds.
Dissuader laser Illuminator
This hand held laser “flashlight” generates an extremely bright, variable width beam of red light. The beam is certified eye-safe at all ranges and under all tactical conditions. The laser beam sends a language-dependent warning and challenge that forces adversaries to signal their intent to retreat surrender or continue aggressive behavior. It dissuades and/or delays adversaries by producing an overpowering glare or flash blinding the individual. The laser illuminator is suitable for law enforcement missions where revealing a drawn weapon is not advisable. This device can be used as handheld augmentation to sidearms carried on law enforcement missions; use of sidearm enables quick conversion to lethal force.
From Venezuela, to India, and the Rise of the Laser Era – a Weekly...
The opening week of 2026 has been defined by a singular, paradigmatic shift in modern warfare: the "catastrophic failure" of Venezuela's integrated air defense network during a U.S. special operation. The operation succeeded not through brute force, but by rendering Venezuela's Russian S-300VM and Chinese "anti-stealth" radars effectively blind, validating the supremacy of advanced electronic warfare over legacy kinetic defenses. This failure has sent shockwaves through the global defense market, underscoring why nations like Spain and Germany are rushing to modernize their air defense architectures with Western alternatives, while massive procurement programs exceeding $301 billion signal an accelerated transformation toward unmanned systems, directed energy weapons, and indigenous production capabilities.
Beyond Drones: Key Facts Defining Turkey’s Rise as a Global Arms Giant
Turkey's defense industry transformation extends far beyond its celebrated drones. Now ranking 11th globally in defense exports, Turkey is executing a comprehensive strategy to become a top-tier arms supplier. With 75% of exports flowing to Western markets and five firms in Defense News' Top 100, Turkey is methodically building a complete defense ecosystem through combat-proven systems, integrated defense diplomacy, strategic self-reliance, and real-world R&D in active conflict zones.
Skunk Works and XTEND Simplify Multi-Drone Command
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® and XTEND have achieved a major milestone in JADC2 by integrating the XOS operating system with the MDCX™ autonomy platform. This technical breakthrough enables a single operator to simultaneously command multiple drone classes, eliminating the friction of mission handoffs. From "marsupial" drone deployments to operating in GPS-denied environments, explore how this collaboration is abbreviating the data-to-decision timeline and redefining autonomous mission execution.
From Ukraine to Taiwan: The Global Race to Dominate the New Defense Tech Frontier
As traditional defense primes face mounting competition from agile “neoprimes” such as Anduril, Palantir and Helsing, the balance of innovation is shifting toward software-defined warfare and scalable, dual-use technologies, while global industry consolidation—marked by Boeing’s integration of Spirit AeroSystems and other strategic mergers—signals an intensified race to secure control over the defense technology value chain. Our Defense-Tech weekly report highlights these trends.
Europe’s “Drone Wall”
In early October 2025, a coordinated wave of unmanned aerial system (UAS) incursions—widely attributed to Russia—targeted critical infrastructure across at least ten European nations. The unprecedented campaign exposed the fragility of Europe’s air defenses...
Weekly Defense Update & Global Security Assessment
Executive Summary
The past week (September 18-25, 2025) represents an inflection point where strategic defense concepts have transitioned from doctrine to tangible reality. An analysis of global events reveals four primary, interconnected trends shaping an...
U.S. Air and Space Forces Push Next-Gen Programs at the AS&C 2025 Conference and...
At the 2025 Air, Space & Cyber Conference, U.S. Air Force and Space Force leaders unveiled major updates on next-generation fighters, bombers, unmanned systems, and space initiatives, highlighting both rapid innovation and critical readiness challenges as the services race to outpace global competitors. A short version is available here, with a more detailed version for subscribers.
