Islamic State group militants killed at least 15 Syrian pro-government fighters on Friday after they attacked three military positions in the Syrian desert, a war monitor said. It is the latest attack of its kind by remnants of the jihadists. They “attacked three military sites belonging to regime forces and fighters loyal to them… in the eastern Homs countryside, triggering armed clashes… and killing 15” pro-government fighters, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. IS overran large swathes of Syria and Iraq in 2014, proclaiming a so-called caliphate and launching a reig ..read more

Germany has joined the research and development of the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) program, a multinational initiative between Finland, Latvia, and Sweden to develop a new 6×6 armored personnel carrier. The country will have access to the results of the program’s product development packages, gaining the ability to co-define future requirements for the new capability. Berlin will contribute to the initiative’s supply security, ensuring the program’s various phases progress with the help of local industries. The CAVS will be based on Patria’s XA-300 six-wheeled armored personnel carri ..read more

Queensland-based defense contractor Craig International Ballistics has received a contract to provide body armor for the Australian Defence Force. Valued at 30 million Australian dollars ($19.7 million), the deal covers suits that can protect troops against low- and high-velocity shells and fragmentation effects. Once delivered, the equipment will be distributed to personnel operating in combat and counter-terrorism operations. The Australian Department of Defense wrote that the agreement is part of the government’s efforts to maintain small and medium businesses across the country while suppo ..read more

The US Army has revealed a new variant of the Bradley tracked armored fighting vehicle in Saco, Maine. The M2A4E1 is touted as the vehicle’s “most modern and survivable version.” It is integrated with an Iron Fist active protection system to detect and intercept incoming missiles and rockets using radar and infrared trackers and explosive projectiles. The newest Bradley is also equipped with an improved High-Definition Forward-Looking Infrared Gunner’s Sight and an Environmental Control Unit to prevent heat stress. A statement from the army’s Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems said ..read more

Switzerland’s arms procurement agency has solicited bids from a trio of firms for a new medium-range ground-based air defense system (MR GBAD). Germany’s Diehl Defence, a consortium of Norway’s Kongsberg and US Raytheon, and France’s MBDA have been invited to submit bids by mid-July. All bidders must meet the military, technical, and logistical requirements.  Criteria Additional criteria include an in-use, proven system, possibility of future cooperation on a variety of projects with the winner, and the involvement of Swiss industry, European Defense Review wrote, citing a request for inf ..read more

A wide-scale inspection conducted earlier this year has revealed that nearly half of US Marine Corps (USMC) barracks have issues. The inspection, which involved roughly 60,000 rooms around the world, aimed to better understand the state of government housing and nudge leaders to take immediate action. According to the result, 49 percent of USMC barracks have ventilation and water issues, resulting in mold. But only 1 percent of that was considered “non-mission capable,” meaning Marines have to be relocated from their rooms. In total, 118 USMC personnel were moved to a different location becaus ..read more

Newcastle-based tech firm VRAI has clinched a 288,000-pound ($362,000) contract to develop a Multi Launch Rocket System (MLRS) tactical simulator for the British Army. The MRLS Tactical Capability Trainer will simulate an MRLS cab for improved crew performance and reduced cost and carbon footprint. Moreover, VRAI’s HEAT mechanism will develop actionable insight into crew performance based on data collected during simulated training. Data-Driven Training VRAI has developed HEAT to “capture, store, analyze and present data insights on trainee performance during simulation sessions to enhance tra ..read more

Northrop Grumman’s Manta Ray uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) prototype has completed in-water testing off the California coast. The two-month test included “submerged operations using all the vehicle’s modes of propulsion and steering: buoyancy, propellers, and control surfaces,” the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) said. Northrop shipped the prototype in subsections from Maryland for the test, displaying ease of transport and assembly without taking up space at pier or naval facilities. DARPA program manager Dr. Kyle Woerner (right) talks with a member of the Northrop Grumm ..read more

The US Air Force has showcased its capability to design, assemble, and deploy 3D-printed unmanned aerial systems (UASs) within 24 hours in Florida. Held at Eglin Air Force Base’s B-70 range, the demonstration was another step in the service’s objective to develop a drone fleet to rapidly distribute supplies to airmen behind enemy lines. The process took 22.5 hours to assemble six aircraft, including an 8-pound (3.6-kilogram) personnel recovery system, ahead of launch. The US Air Force wrote that the method was developed by the Air Force Center for Strategy and Technology’s Blue Horizons, a thi ..read more

Thousands of Russian soldiers have reportedly deserted their posts in Ukraine as troop morale continues to plummet. Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) recently reported that over 18,000 military personnel in Russia’s Southern Military District have now abandoned their positions despite the ongoing fight with Ukraine. Around 12,000 of them are from the 8th Combined Arms Army, while an estimated 2,500 soldiers are from the Russian 58th Combined Arms Army. According to the HUR, more than 50 percent of the 18,000 Russian troops who have deserted their posts are mobilized conscripts, whil ..read more