2026 - currentdefencenews.com

January 8, 2026
Admin
Naval Platforms
R&D

Columbia Sub Program Gains New Dry Dock

The Atlas floating dry dock has been formally accepted by General Dynamics Electric Boat to support the Columbia-class submarine program. Stationed in Groton, the mobile facility will handle key...

January 8, 2026
Admin
Soldier Systems
Procurement & Contracts

Avenue3 Wins UK Deployed Health Tech Deal

Project Mercury represents the UK military’s next step in digitizing frontline healthcare, following a £2.5-million contract awarded to Avenue3. The secure electronic health record system enables clinicians to operate...

January 8, 2026
Admin
Air Platforms
R&D

J-MUSIC DIRCM Selected for European Air Fleets

European operators are expanding aircraft survivability with Elbit Systems’ J-MUSIC DIRCM, following new contracts valued at around $150 million. The system will be installed on transport aircraft and other...

Babcock, Frankenburg Eye Affordable Naval C-UAS

Babcock and Frankenburg Technologies are jointly assessing a new maritime counter-UAS concept focused on affordability, scalability, and rapid deployment. The collaboration aims to counter one-way attack drones that have...

PAC-3 MSE Missile Production to Triple With Lockheed

The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin have signed a framework to boost PAC-3 MSE interceptor production from 600 to roughly 2,000 units annually over seven years. This strategy provides industry...

January 7, 2026
Admin
Land Platforms
R&D

Elbit Provides Iron Fist APS for European CV90s

European NATO CV90 IFVs will receive the Iron Fist APS through contracts with Elbit Systems worth $150 million. The system, compact and modular, delivers full coverage against anti-tank weapons...

Puma IFVs to Receive More 30mm Ammunition in Germany

Under an expanded framework agreement, Germany is procuring 30mm Puma IFV ammunition from Rheinmetall, totaling several hundred thousand rounds worth approximately 1 billion euros. The KE-TF rounds are optimized...

January 7, 2026
Admin
Land Platforms
New Product Launches

M1E3 Next-Gen Abrams Tank Demo Revealed by US Army

The M1E3 Abrams prototype has been revealed by the US Army, offering a first look at the next-generation tank. Key changes include a lower-profile turret, enhanced sensor arrays, and...

January 7, 2026
Admin
Unmanned Systems
R&D

New AI System Enhances MQ-9B Drone Operations

The MQ-9B drone is set to receive a smart processing boost through the Knox-5 processor, provided by Ultra I&C under a Marine Corps contract for nine units. The upgrade...

Truck-Mounted Hurricane 3000 Details Surface in China

The Hurricane 3000, China’s newly disclosed truck-mounted microwave weapon, is designed to counter drones at extended ranges beyond earlier point-defense systems. Using radar for detection and electro-optical sensors for...