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Ukrainian Special Forces Reveal Shotgun Tactics Against Aerial Drones Relevant to U.S. and NATO
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Ukraine’s 3rd Special Operations Forces Regiment has unveiled new counter-drone training methods designed to defeat Russian FPV kamikaze drones on the battlefield. The tactics, refined under real combat conditions, offer practical lessons for U.S. and NATO forces facing drone-heavy conflicts.

Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) are adapting rapidly to one of the most persistent threats on today’s battlefield, the widespread use of Russian first-person-view kamikaze drones. The 3rd Regiment of the Ukrainian SOF recently disclosed details of newly developed counter-drone training tactics that rely on shotguns and close-range engagement techniques, according to material released by Ukrainian military sources. The methods were tested and refined during frontline operations, where FPV (First Person View) drones have been increasingly used to target troops in trenches, tree lines, and defensive positions.
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Ukrainian Special Forces from the 3rd Regiment of UASOF conduct live-fire training with 12-gauge shotguns to intercept hostile FPV drones during close-range counter-UAS drills near the front line. (Picture source: 3rd Regiment of UASOF)

At a classified training ground in eastern Ukraine, soldiers from this elite regiment are undergoing intensive drills to neutralize incoming FPV (First Person View) drones using 12-gauge shotguns, both pump-action and semi-automatic. This approach, far from being improvised, is the result of structured training cycles, real-world combat feedback, and rapidly evolving doctrine that is now being exported to other Ukrainian brigades.

Rather than relying solely on jamming systems or missile-based air defense - which are often unavailable or economically impractical in the field - the 3rd Regiment is focusing on perfecting close-range kinetic interception of drones. The logic is simple: if an FPV drone can be detected in time, a well-placed shotgun blast can disable or destroy it before it hits its target. But the key to this defense is not the weapon alone - it is the training.

Troops are drilled in shooting at drone analogues flying at varying speeds and angles, from head-on to flanking trajectories. Realistic scenarios involve dummy drones equipped with visual cues such as flashing lights or smoke, while instructors simulate battlefield conditions with noise and distraction. The exercises also cover ambidextrous firing positions, rapid target reacquisition, and firing from cover, mimicking trenches and urban rubble where soldiers would realistically encounter drone threats.

Crucially, situational awareness training plays a central role. Drones often appear with little warning, guided manually by operators hiding kilometers away. Ukrainian forces are learning to identify low-altitude flight corridors, recognize the sound signatures of FPV engines, and coordinate with spotters to trigger a fast response. In many frontline zones, electronic warfare support is either unavailable or degraded, making manual countermeasures the last and only line of defense.

This shotgun-centric approach to drone defense has gained traction among global arms manufacturers, who are now racing to field infantry-level solutions against the rising threat of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). At Milipol 2025, FN Herstal presented a tactical version of the Winchester SX4 semi-automatic shotgun, adapted for military and security forces. Chambered in 12-gauge and capable of firing both 2¾" and 3" magnum shells, the SX4 Tactical features a gas-operated semi-automatic action, allowing for rapid follow-up shots - critical when engaging fast-moving FPV drones. Its lightweight design, approximately 3.2 kg depending on configuration, and compatibility with red-dot optics through integrated Picatinny rails make it particularly effective for close-range aerial interdiction. While FN Herstal has not publicly confirmed specialized anti-drone ammunition, the shotgun’s high cycling rate and modularity are already positioning it as a practical asset for units operating in drone-contested zones.

Elsewhere, other firearm manufacturers are expanding similar capabilities. Beretta Defense Technologies is reportedly developing enhanced 12-gauge ammunition with optimized spread patterns and fragmentation effects tailored for drone defense. In Turkey, companies such as Hatsan have begun marketing tactical shotgun variants featuring reinforced polymer stocks, recoil control systems, and improved sighting options specifically for counter-UAS roles in close quarters and open terrain. Germany’s Rheinmetall has gone a step further, integrating shotgun modules into mobile counter-drone stations mounted on tactical vehicles, combining sensor fusion and kinetic intercept capabilities for convoy and base defense.

In the United States, the M1014 Joint Service Combat Shotgun has been evaluated for counter-drone use by the U.S. Marine Corps and other services. Trials have included the use of heavier shot loads, such as tungsten or steel pellets, to increase aerial lethality. Paired with red-dot optics and audio-visual detection cues, these shotguns have been tested in urban, jungle, and mountainous scenarios - conditions where larger air defense systems are impractical or unavailable.

Operational data from multiple forces suggest that shotguns can deliver high drone kill probabilities in that short-range envelope, particularly against plastic-bodied quadcopters vulnerable to fragmentation. A single well-aimed blast can damage a rotor, shatter a camera, or sever control circuits, causing the drone to crash. Buckshot rounds, in particular, offer the ideal balance of spread and stopping power for drones traveling at oblique angles or moving erratically.

Several NATO and allied armed forces have begun integrating similar tactics into their training regimes. The U.S. Marine Corps has explored using the M1014 Joint Service Combat Shotgun for short-range drone defense, while Israel’s Defense Forces have tested tactical shotguns during urban counter-UAS exercises. In Australia, drone-stopping drills using off-the-shelf pump-action shotguns have been conducted during infantry training cycles, particularly in jungle and built-up environments where radar and jammers have limited reach.

European manufacturers are also responding. Italy’s Beretta Defense Technologies has developed 12-gauge cartridges with enhanced aerial fragmentation payloads, and Rheinmetall in Germany has proposed integrating shotguns into vehicle-mounted drone defense modules for convoy protection. Turkish firms, including Hatsan, have marketed anti-drone shotgun kits complete with targeting optics and reinforced stocks for military buyers.

In Ukraine, the 3rd Regiment’s training has already been extended to National Guard units and regular infantry brigades, with instructors emphasizing that close-range drone defense must become a standard skill for every frontline soldier. The speed at which the battlefield is adapting to the FPV threat is forcing a complete rethink of conventional air defense hierarchies. Instead of centralized systems controlling drone defense, the fight is now moving to the tactical edge - down to the squad level.

While Ukraine continues to press Western partners for more advanced drone-jamming and missile-based systems, it is clear that the low-tech shotgun is carving out a vital niche. Cheap, available, and instantly deployable, a shotgun in trained hands can serve as a frontline firewall against drones that cost a fraction to build but can take out a vehicle, mortar team, or command post with devastating effect.

This shift toward decentralized, kinetic drone defense signals a broader transformation in how modern militaries will prepare for warfare over the next decade. As unmanned threats proliferate, from swarming quadcopters to autonomous loitering munitions, the global race is not only to build smarter drones, but to find faster ways to shoot them down.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
U.S. Army Enhances M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 Tank Firepower with PERCH Switchblade Loitering Munitions
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The U.S. Army has successfully tested the PERCH loitering munition system integrated onto M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 main battle tanks, according to industry and U.S. Army sources. The effort signals a shift toward providing armored crews with organic, beyond-line-of-sight reconnaissance and precision-strike capabilities without relying on external drone units.

In a milestone for armored warfare modernization, the U.S. Army has successfully demonstrated the Precision Effects & Reconnaissance, Canister-Housed (PERCH) system mounted on the M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 Main Battle Tank. Developed by General Dynamics Land Systems in partnership with AeroVironment, the system allows tank crews to launch Switchblade loitering munitions directly from the vehicle, extending surveillance and strike reach well beyond visual range while remaining under armor. Army officials have emphasized that PERCH is still in the evaluation phase and has not yet been fielded to operational units.
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PERCH launcher module mounted on the side of a U.S. Army M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 tank, enabling deployment of Switchblade loitering munitions for beyond-line-of-sight reconnaissance and precision strike capabilities. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

PERCH equips the Abrams with two categories of tactical loitering munitions: the Switchblade 300 Block 20 and the Switchblade 600. Housed in modular canisters that bolt onto the exterior of the vehicle using existing mounting points, the system avoids any permanent modifications to the tank’s hull and operates natively through the onboard battle management systems. The result is a tightly integrated drone strike capability that requires no external command-and-control architecture and can be operated directly by the tank crew under armor.

For non-specialist readers, the significance of this upgrade hinges on the concept of "Beyond Line of Sight" (BLOS) capability. Traditionally, tanks are limited to engaging targets they can physically see through their optics or sensors, meaning if an obstacle, such as terrain, buildings, or foliage, blocks the view, the tank cannot detect or engage the enemy. BLOS systems, such as loitering munitions, overcome this limitation by enabling reconnaissance and precision strikes over hills, behind buildings, or across complex urban terrain. With loitering drones launched from the tank itself and controlled in real time, crews can now locate, observe, and neutralize enemy forces without ever exposing the tank to return fire.

In combat applications, the Switchblade 300 Block 20 introduces a highly responsive reconnaissance and engagement tool tailored for infantry targets, light vehicles, and anti-tank teams operating from concealed positions. With over 20 minutes of flight endurance, steep terminal attack angles, and user-selectable points of detonation, it excels in hunting down threats that are otherwise shielded from the Abrams’ main gun. The 300 can be used, for example, to eliminate an enemy ATGM team operating from a rooftop or trench line before they even come into firing range. Its patented wave-off and recommit capability enables mid-flight targeting changes, ensuring that the munition strikes only when conditions are optimal.

The heavier Switchblade 600 expands these capabilities into the anti-armor and bunker-busting realm. With a 40-minute loiter time and a larger warhead specifically designed to defeat armored vehicles and fortified positions, it acts as both a reconnaissance drone and a precision long-range missile. In combat terms, this means that an Abrams platoon equipped with Switchblade 600s can shape the battlefield before direct contact, targeting enemy tanks, command posts, or logistics vehicles at extended distances, well beyond the reach of the 120mm smoothbore cannon. These strikes can be carried out without warning and without the need to call for artillery or air support, dramatically shortening the sensor-to-shooter timeline.

Loitering munitions also offer a fundamentally different mode of lethality compared to the tank’s standard armament. The Abrams’ 120mm gun is optimized for high-energy, direct-line engagements, firing high-explosive and armor-piercing rounds to destroy tanks, structures, or exposed infantry. But its effectiveness depends on visibility, line of fire, and proximity. Loitering munitions introduce a parallel strike capability: slower but precise, intelligent, and capable of hovering, observing, and selecting when and how to strike. They enable a tank not just to destroy what it sees, but to destroy what it senses, without risking the vehicle.

In high-threat environments such as urban combat zones or complex terrain with high ambush risk, PERCH fundamentally enhances crew survivability. Rather than advancing blindly into a choke point or relying on scouts, Abrams units can now launch a Switchblade to reconnoiter intersections, ridgelines, or suspected ambush sites. If hostile forces are detected, they can be eliminated before the tank ever moves. This added layer of decision-making space is critical in modern warfare, where first contact often determines survivability.

Operationally, the PERCH system is also a major force enabler. Because it uses common vehicle hardware and control interfaces, it can be deployed not only on Abrams tanks but also on Stryker platforms and potentially other combat vehicles. The modular design ensures it can be upgraded as drone technology evolves, whether with new munitions, AI-assisted targeting, or future swarming capabilities.

From a tactical standpoint, the pairing of the Abrams’ traditional firepower with the surgical precision of loitering munitions provides commanders with unmatched flexibility. During offensive operations, a formation can use Switchblades to disrupt enemy defensive positions, create deception through drone incursions, or isolate targets before committing tanks to close contact. In defensive missions, the drones offer persistent aerial overwatch and can rapidly neutralize infiltrating infantry or mobile ATGM teams before they can position for an ambush.

The PERCH system is not an experimental concept. It is a fieldable and combat-ready capability already aligned with the Army’s doctrine for multi-domain operations. It reflects a broader shift in armored warfare, where the tank is no longer just a kinetic platform but a multi-role command-and-strike hub within a larger digital battlefield. By integrating sensors, weapons, and decision-making into a single unit, the U.S. Army M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 tank with PERCH is equipped not just for today’s battles but for tomorrow’s unpredictable and rapidly evolving combat environments.

As peer adversaries expand their anti-armor capabilities with drones, guided missiles, and electronic warfare, the U.S. Army’s approach is clear: match mass with precision, armor with agility, and direct fire with aerial lethality. PERCH delivers all three, and it positions the Abrams, once again, at the forefront of mechanized warfare innovation.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years of experience in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis of military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
U.S. Army AH-64E Apache attack helicopter demonstrates counter-drone capability in Kuwait
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U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters participated in the Kuwaiti-led Sky Shield exercise at Udari Range Complex on Dec. 9, 2025, focusing on joint counter-drone operations. The event underscores how U.S. Army aviation is adapting to confront the rapid spread of small unmanned aerial systems on today’s battlefields.

U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters trained alongside Kuwaiti and partner forces during Exercise Sky Shield at the Udari Range Complex in Kuwait on Dec. 9, 2025, according to information released by the U.S Department of War. The drill emphasized integrated air defense and counter-unmanned aerial system operations, reflecting growing concern across U.S. Central Command about the increasing use of small, low-cost drones in regional conflicts.
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A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache operates during a live-fire phase of Exercise Sky Shield at the Udari Range Complex in Kuwait on Dec. 9, 2025. The Kuwait-led exercise brought together forces from the United States, Bahrain, and the United Kingdom to strengthen combined air defense and operational interoperability. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

Traditionally, in the U.S. Army, the AH-64 Apache has been optimized as a heavy attack helicopter, designed to destroy armored vehicles, support ground forces, and conduct deep attack missions against high-value targets. Since its introduction during the Cold War, the Apache’s core missions have included close combat attack, armed reconnaissance, and the suppression of enemy armored formations using precision-guided munitions.

However, the character of warfare has shifted significantly over the past decade. Conflicts such as the war in Ukraine have demonstrated how unmanned aerial systems now dominate reconnaissance, targeting, and strike missions at every echelon. Small, inexpensive drones are used to spot artillery fire, attack armored vehicles, and threaten aircraft operating at low altitude, fundamentally altering the operating environment for helicopters.

These developments have forced the U.S. Army to reassess how attack helicopters like the AH-64 can survive and remain relevant in drone-saturated battlespaces. Rather than operating solely as offensive strike platforms, Apaches are increasingly viewed as multi-role assets that can contribute to sensing, command-and-control, and limited counter-drone functions within a layered air defense framework.

During Exercise Sky Shield, the AH-64 operated as part of an integrated air defense architecture, supporting detection, tracking, and response efforts against simulated aerial threats. Its inclusion demonstrated how attack helicopters can provide mobile coverage and rapid reaction capabilities, particularly in areas where fixed air defense systems may be constrained by terrain or coverage gaps.

Beyond this exercise, the U.S. Army has tested and evaluated the AH-64E Apache Guardian as a counter-UAS contributor during recent operational experiments. These assessments have focused on how the aircraft’s sensor suite, including electro-optical, infrared, and fire control radar systems, can detect and track small aerial targets and share that data with ground-based air defense units.

From a weapons perspective, several systems mounted on the AH-64E are being examined for their applicability against aerial drones, depending on threat type and engagement conditions. The 30mm M230 chain gun offers a relatively cost-effective option for engaging slow-moving or low-altitude drones within visual range, particularly when cued by onboard sensors. Its high rate of fire and flexible aiming system make it suitable for short-range aerial engagements.

The Apache’s guided rocket systems, including laser-guided 70mm rockets, are also being studied as potential counter-drone options against larger unmanned aircraft or clustered targets. While not specifically designed for air defense, guided rockets offer a balance between precision and cost compared to larger missiles.

In contrast, heavy precision weapons such as the AGM-114 Hellfire or AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) are generally considered less economical for small-drone engagements, but they remain relevant against larger, high-value unmanned platforms or when no other engagement options are available. Army planners are evaluating doctrine to determine when such weapons may be justified in counter-UAS scenarios.

Equally important is the Apache’s role as a networked sensor and command node. Through secure data links, the AH-64E can relay real-time tracking data to air defense batteries, command posts, and other aircraft, enabling faster, more coordinated responses to drone incursions. This networked approach mirrors lessons from Ukraine, where rapid sensor-to-shooter connectivity has proven decisive.

For Kuwaiti forces, Sky Shield provided valuable insight into how the U.S. Army aviation is adapting to these realities. The combined training strengthened interoperability and demonstrated how rotary-wing platforms can support national air defense and critical infrastructure protection in an era defined by unmanned threats.

Strategically, the Apache’s evolving role reflects a broader U.S. Army modernization effort driven by lessons learned from contemporary conflicts. By adapting proven platforms like the AH-64 to counter drone threats, the Army aims to build resilient, layered defenses capable of operating effectively in highly contested and technologically dense environments.

Exercises such as Kuwaiti-Led Sky Shield underscore that the AH-64 Apache is no longer viewed solely as an anti-armor platform. Instead, it is increasingly integrated into air defense and counter-UAS planning, ensuring it remains a relevant and adaptable asset on the modern battlefield.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
Northrop Grumman AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR software update boosts radar range for U.S. Marines and Air Force
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Northrop Grumman has pushed a significant software upgrade to all fielded AN/TPS-80 GATOR radars used by the Marine Corps and the Air Force. The update strengthens detection range and threat clarity and improves joint network integration at a time when U.S. forces are facing faster and more complex aerial challenges.

Northrop Grumman confirmed that AN/TPS-80 GATOR (Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar) has received a new software package that enables extended-range capabilities, allowing the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and U.S. Air Force (USAF) to detect threats at greater distances and respond more swiftly. Program officials describe the upgrade as a step change in how the radar sorts and prioritizes modern air threats, noting that the revisions refine track stability, improve clutter rejection, and enable smoother data sharing across joint and allied command networks. The timing reflects a strategic push by the Pentagon to harden sensor architecture against a growing mix of cruise missiles, small unmanned aircraft, low-observable platforms, and emerging hypersonic systems.
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U.S. Marines from Marine Air Control Squadron 24, part of Marine Air Control Group 48, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, operate an AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR radar system during a training mission in Cold Bay, Alaska, as part of ARCTIC EDGE 2025. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

While Northrop Grumman has confirmed the introduction of a new extended-range mode, precise detection ranges remain classified. Official product specifications do not publicly define a fixed maximum range. However, the radar has consistently been described as a long-range system with four-dimensional tracking across azimuth, elevation, range, and time. The company has stated that the recent upgrade delivers improved tracking performance and an expanded surveillance envelope, enabling earlier threat detection and faster engagement timelines. These advancements are especially critical in expeditionary and forward-operating scenarios, where early warning and precise classification can mean the difference between neutralizing a threat and absorbing a strike.

G/ATOR is designed as a multi-mission, software-defined radar capable of replacing several legacy systems across the Marine Corps and Air Force inventory. With a single platform, operators can perform air surveillance, air defense fire control, counter-fire target acquisition, and air traffic control missions. Operating in the S-band frequency, the radar uses active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology to deliver high-resolution imagery and rapid beam agility, even under electronic warfare and jamming conditions.

One of G/ATOR’s key strengths lies in its expeditionary mobility. The system is configured for rapid deployment and can be easily transported by tactical trucks or C-130 aircraft. This design is well-suited to the Marine Corps’ distributed operations model and to Air Force missions requiring agile base defense or gap-filling radar coverage in denied environments. Once deployed, the radar’s open-architecture command-and-control interface enables real-time data sharing with other sensors and fire-control systems, positioning it as a critical node within the Department of Defense’s broader Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) framework.

The software upgrade also enhances the radar’s Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF) capability, providing operators with more reliable classification tools and reducing the risk of blue-on-blue engagements. This improvement, combined with its enhanced tracking algorithms, allows the system to better discriminate among a growing variety of airborne threats, particularly in cluttered or contested airspace where traditional radars struggle.

Though exact figures remain undisclosed, industry officials and service members have described the update as a substantial performance leap that enhances G/ATOR’s utility against low-altitude, low-observable, and high-speed targets. Northrop Grumman has emphasized that G/ATOR’s software-defined architecture enables continuous modernization, with future enhancements expected to include artificial intelligence-assisted threat detection and tighter integration with both kinetic and non-kinetic effectors.

To date, 39 G/ATOR systems have been delivered, with the 40th expected by the end of the year. All units incorporate U.S.-manufactured microelectronics, a deliberate choice to ensure supply chain security and compliance with the Pentagon’s push for defense industrial base resilience. As the U.S. military continues shifting toward adaptable, sensor-driven operations, G/ATOR remains a cornerstone system for integrated air and missile defense.

In its latest form, G/ATOR offers more than just incremental improvement. It reflects a broader transformation in how the U.S. services approach battlefield sensing: with agility, precision, and digital integration at the forefront. Whether protecting frontline Marines or extending surveillance coverage for Air Force airfields, the upgraded radar gives U.S. forces a decisive tool for dominating the air domain in today’s multi-threat environment.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
U.S. Marines Train with M1014 Shotgun as Counter-Drone Solution Against Small Aerial Threats
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U.S. Marines at Camp Pendleton used the M1014 shotgun in live counter-drone training during Exercise Steel Knight 25. The drills show how frontline units are adding practical, close-range tools to handle fast, low-flying aerial threats.

On December 2, 2025, during a training event at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Marines used the M1014 shotgun to engage small, low-flying drones as part of their regular Steel Knight 25 field regimen. Instructors described the work as hands-on, live-fire training that builds confidence and muscle memory for Marines who may face similar threats in dispersed or urban environments. The service is expanding these drills across multiple units as small drones become a routine presence in global conflicts.
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U.S. Marine Sgt. Emerick Wurstner fires an M1014 shotgun during a counter-small drone training range at Camp Pendleton during Exercise Steel Knight 25, Dec. 2, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

The U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton range puts U.S. Marines in realistic engagement scenarios, requiring them to detect targets visually, track them, and fire rapidly at drone-representative targets. These drills reinforced the shotgun’s role as a last-line defensive tool when drones approach too quickly or at altitudes too low for sensors or jammers to stop.

The M1014 (Benelli M4) is a 12-gauge semiautomatic shotgun with a gas-operated action for reliable cycling. Its 7+1 capacity, quick recoil recovery, and compatibility with various shells support close-range use. Specialized buckshot and frangible rounds spread to damage drone rotors, sensors, and lightweight frames.

U.S. Marines calculated leads, executed rapid shoulder transitions, and coordinated team firing—techniques essential for engaging drones that maneuver unpredictably. The training showed how the shotgun serves as an affordable, immediately available countermeasure that fills a critical gap in layered C-UAS (Counter Unmanned Aerial System) defense.

This approach is not unique to the United States. Several armies worldwide have begun using combat shotguns as counter-drone weapons due to their simplicity and low cost. Forces in the United Kingdom, Australia, Ukraine, and multiple NATO members have fielded 12-gauge platforms for short-range drone interception, often pairing them with handheld radars or visual spotters. In recent conflicts, shotgun fire has proven particularly effective at stopping small quadcopters during reconnaissance or explosive delivery missions.

By incorporating shotgun-based counter-drone engagements into Steel Knight 25, the Marine Corps aligns its training with global best practices. Many militaries view the shotgun as a practical defensive tool that can be carried at the squad level, requires minimal electronics, and offers immediate lethality against small UAS that bypass sophisticated air-defense networks.

Officials supporting the event highlighted that enemy drone use is expanding rapidly, as adversaries rely on inexpensive commercial and military-grade platforms for surveillance and precision attacks. Units that quickly destroy these systems at close range strengthen force protection for expeditionary forces and enhance survivability during distributed operations.

Deploying the M1014 in counter-drone roles signals an immediate shift in U.S. defense priorities. As small UAS threats accelerate in both capabilities and numbers, the Marine Corps must act now by integrating combat-proven tools to ensure readiness in every environment.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
Germany’s Rheinmetall demonstrates amphibious Mission Master SP2 ground robot capabilities in NATO trials
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Rheinmetall’s Mission Master SP2 unmanned ground vehicle demonstrated its advanced amphibious capabilities and real-time integration with NATO networks during the REPMUS and Dynamic Messenger 2025 exercises off the coast of Portugal. This milestone highlights NATO’s commitment to adopting autonomous systems to protect coastal infrastructure and enhance joint force connectivity.

Rheinmetall’s Mission Master SP2 unmanned ground vehicle made a significant leap in amphibious autonomy and operational maturity during this year’s REPMUS and Dynamic Messenger exercises, as demonstrated in a Rheinmetall video released on November 18, 2025. Company engineers and NATO officials highlighted this as one of the clearest public demonstrations of the platform’s capabilities, describing how the vehicle seamlessly shifted from shoreline movement to semi-submerged tasks while feeding data directly into NATO’s evolving command and control architecture. The tests took place along the Portuguese coast, where NATO regularly evaluates cutting-edge unmanned systems for reconnaissance, protection, and multi-domain support roles.
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Rheinmetall’s Mission Master SP2 is a fully amphibious, autonomous ground vehicle designed for multi-domain operations, capable of executing surveillance, logistics, and combat support missions on land and at sea with seamless NATO system integration. (Picture source: Rheinmetall)

This deployment is distinguished by the Rheinmetall Mission Master SP2’s real-time interoperability with allied command and control systems during live missions, and its advanced autonomous waterborne navigation. Rheinmetall’s video, featuring rare footage of the SP2 deploying from a naval platform and traversing sea and coastal terrain, underlines the strategic importance of unmanned amphibious systems under NATO’s expanding multi-domain operations. During the exercise, the SP2 performed infrastructure surveillance, port security, naval fire-support observation, and dynamic rerouting under GPS denial.

Built on Rheinmetall’s second-generation SP2 platform, the Mission Master is engineered for full amphibious capability and high land mobility. It uses a rugged 8x8 electric drivetrain, enabling low acoustic and thermal signatures ideal for stealth operations in contested areas. For maritime maneuvering, the SP2 is equipped with integrated dual waterjets at the rear hull, giving it propulsion across inland waterways, surf zones, and flooded urban terrain. The chassis is fully sealed and IP-rated for saltwater operations, and the vehicle maintains directional stability in rough surf through adaptive software that adjusts propulsion and steering vectors in real time.

Technically, the SP2 is built around a modular architecture allowing for rapid reconfiguration across a range of missions. During REPMUS 2025, it was observed operating in a reconnaissance and surveillance configuration featuring a full suite of electro-optical and infrared sensors, acoustic detection systems, and AI-powered object classification tools. It also supports weapons integration, electronic warfare payloads, casualty evacuation kits, and even logistics modules. A tethered UAV launcher is reportedly under development, offering commanders organic aerial ISR capabilities directly from the UGV.

The platform features a digital open architecture compatible with NATO’s C4ISR systems, enabling plug-and-play integration with unmanned aerial and surface platforms. Its autonomous navigation software incorporates LiDAR-based mapping, obstacle avoidance, GPS-denied localization, and multi-path rerouting based on real-time threat analysis. Human operators can assume manual control at any point via Rheinmetall’s intuitive control console, which supports encrypted communications over secure mesh networks and tactical LTE.

The Mission Master SP2 brings a compelling mix of survivability, tactical flexibility, and low signature. Its main technical features include:

The SP2’s fully amphibious 8x8 all-terrain electric drivetrain provides mobility over both land and water. Its integrated dual waterjets ensure effective aquatic propulsion, while independent suspension and sealed hull construction make it resilient across flooded terrain and urban rubble. The vehicle measures approximately 2.95 meters in length, 1.65 meters in width, and stays under 1.5 meters high in its low-profile transport mode. It can carry up to 1,000 kg of mission-specific payloads, including ISR pods, remote weapon stations, medevac stretchers, or logistics racks. Silent electric motors support both stealth and endurance missions, while the modular payload interface allows for rapid mission reconfiguration.

Its advanced autonomous system is equipped with AI-powered navigation and adaptive decision-making tools. The vehicle can operate in GPS-denied environments and re-route dynamically in response to terrain or threats. Navigation and obstacle avoidance are guided by a combination of LiDAR, inertial navigation, and real-time mapping. Communication capabilities include encrypted mesh networking, tactical LTE, and optional SATCOM, providing real-time data relay and coordination with other unmanned systems. The SP2 is built for full NATO interoperability, enabling seamless integration into allied command-and-control structures.

This year’s REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems) and Dynamic Messenger 2025 exercises brought together over 2,500 personnel and more than 30 autonomous platforms from 17 nations. Rheinmetall’s Mission Master SP2 was among a small number of systems cleared for full amphibious integration across both scenarios, highlighting its operational maturity and alignment with NATO’s modernization priorities.

NATO’s deployment of the Mission Master SP2 signals an intensified focus on countering hybrid threats to critical maritime infrastructure. As adversaries use gray-zone tactics targeting ports, undersea cables, and coastal radar nodes, the SP2 offers decisive advantages by projecting force and conducting ISR in high-risk zones without endangering personnel. These attributes make such autonomous systems increasingly essential for alliance defense planning.

With its performance in Portugal now part of NATO’s broader experimentation portfolio, the SP2 positions Rheinmetall at the forefront of autonomous land-sea integration. Several allied nations with coastal defense priorities are reportedly evaluating the platform for future procurement. Further enhancements under consideration include weaponized variants with Rheinmetall’s Skyranger turret for mobile counter-UAS defense, potentially transforming the SP2 from a reconnaissance asset into a frontline combat multiplier.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
French SAMP/T vs. U.S. Patriot Air Defense Systems: Technical and Operational Analysis in Ukraine
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In a video released by the French Senate on X on November 8, 2025, General Fabien Mandon said the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defense system is outperforming the U.S.-built Patriot in Ukraine. His remarks have reignited NATO debate over which system offers superior protection against Russia’s evolving missile tactics.

A video published by the French Senate on X on November 8, 2025, has stirred debate across NATO after France’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Fabien Mandon, stated that the European-built SAMP/T air defense missile system is performing better in Ukraine than the American-made Patriot. According to Mandon, some modified Russian missiles are now bypassing Patriot defenses, while SAMP/T units continue to intercept similar threats effectively. His comments, delivered during a Senate defense hearing, represent one of the clearest official comparisons of NATO’s two leading long-range air defense systems based on actual combat experience in Ukraine.
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U.S. Patriot air defense system on the left and the Franco-Italian SAMP/T system on the right. Both represent NATO’s top-tier surface-to-air capabilities, now central to renewed debate over missile defense performance and technology. (Picture source: Editing Army Recognition Group)

🇫🇷🇮🇹🇺🇦🇷🇺

Selon le chef d’état-major des armées, le général Mandon, les systèmes SAMP/T livrés à l’Ukraine parviennent à intercepter des missiles russes modifiés que les systèmes Patriot peinent à abattre efficacement.

En conclusion, le CEMA estime que le SAMP/T se révèle… pic.twitter.com/x4zuTWC9op
— Antoine 🇫🇷 (@thetoitoi) November 6, 2025

The U.S. MIM-104 Patriot and the French SAMP/T (Sol-Air Moyenne Portée/Terrestre) are both modern, high-performance surface-to-air defense missile systems tasked with neutralizing a wide spectrum of aerial threats. These include fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles. While broadly similar in mission profile, the two systems differ fundamentally in terms of radar architecture, missile technology, engagement logic, mobility, and real-world operational performance.

Radar Capabilities and Threat Detection

The Patriot system relies on the AN/MPQ-65 radar, an X-band, sector-scanning phased-array system responsible for both surveillance and fire control. Based on U.S. Army documentation and allied operational use, this radar can detect large, high-altitude aircraft at distances of 150–170 km. Smaller, low-signature targets such as cruise missiles are typically detected at 100–130 km, depending on flight profile and radar clutter. However, the radar offers only 120 degrees of coverage, meaning that threats approaching from outside this arc may go undetected unless the system is supported by auxiliary radars or repositioned. The reaction time from detection to engagement ranges from 8 to 15 seconds, depending on battery readiness and system alignment.

SAMP/T’s radar configuration offers full 360-degree coverage. The original French version uses the Thales Arabel radar, a rotating AESA system operating in the X-band. The upgraded SAMP/T NG variant, now in early deployment, integrates the Thales Ground Fire 300 radar, a fixed-panel, digital AESA radar offering multifunction detection and tracking. This radar provides detection ranges of up to 500 km for high-altitude aircraft and 150–180 km for low-signature cruise missiles. Its refresh cycle is below 2 seconds, enabling real-time engagement with multiple targets. The SAMP/T radar is capable of maintaining simultaneous fire control and target acquisition even under heavy jamming, a feature that has proven valuable in Ukraine. Detection-to-engagement times range from 5 to 10 seconds.

The U.S. Patriot air defense system, developed by Raytheon, uses PAC-3 MSE interceptors guided by the AN/MPQ-65 radar. It is designed to defend against aircraft, cruise missiles, and short- to medium-range ballistic missile threats. (U.S. Department of War)

Missile Characteristics and Engagement Profiles

The Patriot system uses the PAC-3 MSE missile, a solid-fueled interceptor employing hit-to-kill technology. It is guided through inertial navigation with mid-course updates from the radar, and its onboard active radar seeker activates during the terminal phase. It reaches speeds above Mach 4.5, with a maximum engagement range of around 100 km and a ceiling of 35 km. Its precision in intercepting ballistic targets is proven, although it can be affected by electronic warfare and decoys during saturation attacks or low-altitude cruise missile threats.

The French SAMP/T fires the Aster 30 missile, designed by MBDA. The missile is equipped with a dual-pulse motor and an active radar seeker, enabling mid-course maneuvering without relying solely on ground guidance. The Aster 30 also features the PIF-PAF thrust vectoring system, enabling high agility and rapid course correction during the final intercept phase. Its engagement range is up to 120–150 km, with an altitude ceiling of 30 km. The Aster 30 Block 1NT variant, currently fielded in France and soon Italy, is designed to intercept medium-range ballistic missiles with ranges up to 1,500 km. Unlike Patriot, which uses kinetic impact, Aster uses a high-fragmentation warhead with a proximity fuse, increasing effectiveness against maneuverable targets and drone swarms.

Mobility and Survivability

Patriot systems are composed of radar units, launchers, command centers, and generators mounted on trailers. Full deployment typically takes between 4 and 6 hours. While ideal for static defense of high-value targets such as cities, air bases, or strategic command infrastructure, Patriot batteries are not optimized for rapid relocation. Launchers are directional, requiring pre-alignment to engage incoming threats, and must be repositioned manually to cover new sectors.

SAMP/T is designed for battlefield mobility. All system components are mounted on 8×8 wheeled platforms, enabling rapid deployment and movement. A full battery can be set up, fire, and then redeploy in under 30 min. The vertical launch architecture enables 360-degree missile firing without launcher movement, enhancing survivability in high-threat environments. Ukrainian crews have specifically highlighted this feature as critical in defending against persistent drone surveillance and Russian counterstrikes.

Engagement Speed and Reaction Time

Engagement cycle timing is essential in contested airspace. The Patriot system completes its detection-to-intercept cycle in 20–45 seconds, depending on target speed, radar coverage, and system configuration. The SAMP/T system completes a similar cycle in 15–40 seconds, with faster transitions enabled by omnidirectional radar and vertical launch capability. In scenarios involving multi-axis threats or electronic jamming, the SAMP/T’s system architecture enables faster threat recognition and response.

The SAMP/T (Sol-Air Moyenne Portée/Terrestre) is a Franco-Italian air defense system developed by Eurosam. It uses the Aster 30 missile and a 360-degree radar to intercept aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic threats.

Combat Experience in Ukraine

Since its deployment in Ukraine in early 2023, the Patriot system has played a crucial role in defending key infrastructure and military targets. It gained international recognition after intercepting a Russian Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile over Kyiv. Subsequent engagements included successful intercepts of Iskander-M missiles, Kh-22 cruise missiles, and Shahed-type drones. Ukrainian air defenders reported high confidence in Patriots’ ability to defend fixed strategic sites, but also noted challenges during complex, multi-directional attacks. In several documented incidents, cruise missiles and drones evaded detection by exploiting radar sector gaps, and some batteries were forced offline by persistent drone swarm harassment.

The French SAMP/T entered Ukrainian service in mid-2024 and was initially deployed to central and western Ukraine. Ukrainian operators, trained by French and Italian teams, reported high system reliability and high intercept success rates. According to sources within the Ukrainian Air Force, SAMP/T batteries successfully intercepted modified Kh-101 cruise missiles that had avoided Patriot detection due to reduced radar signatures and complex flight paths. One specific engagement occurred in October 2025 near Vinnytsia, where a SAMP/T battery destroyed three incoming cruise missiles within 30 seconds, then redeployed in minutes to avoid follow-on drone strikes. Ukrainian crews described SAMP/T as better suited for mobile warfare and praised its radar performance in jamming-heavy environments.

Strategic and Alliance Implications

French General Mandon’s comments reflect a broader shift in European thinking. France and Italy have long criticized the exclusion of SAMP/T from Germany’s European Sky Shield Initiative, which favors U.S. and Israeli systems such as Patriot, IRIS-T SLM, and Arrow 3. With SAMP/T now combat-validated in Ukraine, its advocates are pressing for a more balanced approach in NATO procurement policy. The system’s success may also influence future export decisions, as interest grows among NATO frontline states facing similar threat environments.

The U.S. Patriot air defense missile system remains essential to NATO’s integrated air and missile defense. Its strong interoperability with U.S. command-and-control systems, wide user base, and logistics infrastructure make it a cornerstone of alliance deterrence. Upcoming upgrades, including the LTAMDS radar, promise to eliminate some current limitations. However, these systems are still undergoing testing and have not yet been fielded in Ukraine.

French SAMP/T air defense missile system is demonstrating results in today’s battlefield conditions. Its combination of full-azimuth radar coverage, short engagement times, high missile maneuverability, and rapid redeployment makes it highly adaptable to modern air defense needs. In an environment defined by saturation attacks, multi-vector salvos, and electronic warfare, SAMP/T is emerging as one of NATO’s most responsive and survivable air defense platforms.

The war in Ukraine has exposed both the potential and the vulnerabilities of NATO’s most advanced missile defense systems. While U.S. Patriot and French SAMP/T air defense systems are both achieving operational success, their differences are becoming more apparent under combat conditions. The Patriot offers deep-layered defense and precision engagement for high-value static targets. SAMP/T delivers tactical agility, all-direction engagement, and a robust response to evolving aerial threats. As NATO continues to reassess its air defense posture, Ukraine’s skies are offering hard-earned answers about what modern air dominance really requires.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
Top 5 Main Battle Tank MBT Developments Revolutionizing Armored Warfare in 2025
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Five new main battle tank programs are redefining how modern armies approach firepower, protection, and networked combat. From Turkey’s Altay to the U.S. M1E3 Abrams, these designs reveal how militaries are preparing for drone-era threats and multi-domain operations.

As armored warfare experiences its most profound shift since the end of the Cold War, a new generation of main battle tanks is setting fresh benchmarks for survivability and combat integration. These vehicles are not simple upgrades but the result of full-scale design overhauls aimed at countering drone swarms, loitering munitions, and top-attack precision weapons. Following Turkey’s induction of the Altay into active service, analysts are pointing to five MBTs that now define the cutting edge of armored engineering in 2024–2025: the South Korean K3, the German KF51 Panther, the U.S. M1E3 Abrams, the Turkish Altay, and the British Challenger 3.
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Visual the world’s most advanced next-generation main battle tanks in 2025: South Korea’s K3 concept model, Germany’s KF51 Panther in Hungarian trials, the U.S. M1E3 Abrams design evolution, Turkey’s newly fielded Altay, and the UK’s Challenger 3 during live-fire evaluation. (Picture source: Editing Army Recognition Group)

1. South Korea: K3 Main Battle Tank

The K3 MBT, currently in advanced development by Hanwha Aerospace and South Korea's Agency for Defense Development, is envisioned as a clean-sheet next-generation tank to replace the K2 Black Panther by 2030. It will mount a 130 mm smoothbore main gun with a high-rate autoloader and dual-feed ammunition system capable of firing next-generation kinetic energy rounds and airburst munitions. Its turret will be fully unmanned, integrating AI-assisted fire control with a multi-layer sensor suite including millimeter-wave radar, thermal imaging, and electro-optical targeting. Crew members will operate from an armored citadel inside the hull, separated from the ammunition and gun housing.

In terms of mobility and power management, the K3 is set to incorporate a hybrid hydrogen-electric propulsion system that offers significantly lower thermal and acoustic signatures. This design supports extended silent operation in urban and contested environments. The hull will feature IR-suppressive coatings, radar-deflective geometry, and active thermal camouflage, enhancing survivability in the sensor-saturated battlefield. An embedded AI-based health monitoring system will handle predictive maintenance, while digital mission systems will enable real-time data exchange with UAVs and robotic support platforms under manned-unmanned teaming doctrines.

South Korea’s next-gen K3 concept features a 130 mm cannon, AI-driven fire control, and a hydrogen-electric hybrid powerpack, signaling a bold leap toward autonomous and stealth armored warfare.

2. Germany: Rheinmetall KF51 Panther

The KF51 Panther, developed by Rheinmetall, is Germany’s bid to lead European armored warfare modernization through a scalable, modular combat platform. It features the Rh-130 L/52 smoothbore cannon with a 50 percent increase in armor penetration over legacy 120 mm systems and includes a bustle-mounted autoloader that can accommodate both kinetic rounds and programmable high-explosive munitions. The turret also supports optional integration of HERO-120 loitering munitions and UAV launchers, extending the tank’s reach into tactical ISR and strike roles. The fire control architecture is based on open NGVA (NATO Generic Vehicle Architecture), enabling software-defined targeting and seamless sensor fusion.

The Panther uses the proven Leopard 2 chassis as a base but incorporates new-generation passive composite armor with ceramic and reactive layers. Rheinmetall's StrikeShield active protection system provides full-spectrum hard-kill coverage against anti-tank guided missiles and kinetic projectiles. A distributed 360-degree camera system feeds real-time battlefield imagery into a commander helmet-mounted display. The KF51 is currently in pre-series production for Hungary and undergoing firepower and survivability testing at Rheinmetall’s test centers, with additional interest from Eastern European NATO allies seeking Leopard 2 successors.

The Rheinmetall KF51 Panther redefines European MBT standards with its 130 mm Rh-130 gun, loitering munition integration, and full-spectrum StrikeShield active protection for urban and peer-conflict scenarios.

3. United States: M1E3 Abrams with technologies of AbramsX

The M1E3 Abrams is the U.S. Army’s most ambitious MBT overhaul in over four decades, incorporating critical technologies developed through the AbramsX Technology Demonstrator unveiled in 2022. While not a direct copy, the M1E3 leverages AbramsX advancements in three key areas: propulsion, crew survivability, and digital systems. The tank will replace the legacy AGT1500 gas turbine with a hybrid-electric propulsion system, likely derived from the Advanced Combat Engine (ACE) program. This move significantly reduces fuel consumption, lowers the platform’s infrared signature, and supports energy demands for advanced sensors and potential future integration of directed energy weapons.

The turret will be redesigned to allow partial automation and remote operation, with improved protection against top-attack threats through layered modular armor and a new active protection system developed in parallel with the U.S. Modular APS initiative. The M1E3 will feature embedded AI for threat prioritization, fused long-wave IR and LIDAR sensors, and a completely open digital backbone to support real-time mission adaptability. The crew compartment is expected to incorporate next-generation displays and situational awareness tools modeled after the AbramsX human-machine interface. The first prototypes are projected for delivery in FY2026, with long-term replacement of M1A2 SEPv3 units in mind.

The U.S. Army’s M1E3 Abrams integrates hybrid-electric propulsion and AbramsX-inspired AI systems, combining modular armor and digital lethality to survive drone-saturated battlefields.

4. Türkiye: Altay Main Battle Tank

Türkiye’s Altay MBT has officially begun deliveries to the Turkish Land Forces as of mid-2025, marking the country's transition from licensed production to full-spectrum tank manufacturing. Developed by BMC Defense, the Altay now integrates the domestically produced BATU V12 1,500 horsepower diesel engine and automatic transmission developed by BMC Power. This powerpack enables the tank to reach speeds of up to 70 km/h and supports an operational range exceeding 450 kilometers. Cooling systems and onboard diagnostics have been redesigned for desert and high-altitude performance, addressing operational requirements in Turkey’s diverse terrain.

Armament includes a 120 mm L/55 smoothbore main gun compatible with NATO standard ammunition, stabilized across all axes and paired with the Aselsan VOLKAN-M digital fire control system. The system offers automated target recognition, laser rangefinding, and third-generation thermal imaging for both gunner and commander. Defensive capabilities are enhanced through modular armor blocks, a soft-kill laser warning system, and infrared jamming. The Altay’s architecture is designed to accommodate future integration of Aselsan’s AKKOR hard-kill active protection system. Negotiations are ongoing for export variants to Pakistan and Qatar, with co-production options being discussed for partner nations.

Turkey’s Altay MBT marks its entry into independent armored manufacturing with a domestic BATU engine, NATO-standard 120 mm firepower, and indigenous fire control and protection systems.

5. United Kingdom: Challenger 3

The Challenger 3 program, developed by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL), is modernizing the British Army’s armored forces through a complete turret replacement and systems overhaul. The vehicle retains the Challenger 2 hull but receives a new welded steel turret equipped with the L55A1 120 mm smoothbore gun, offering full interoperability with NATO ammunition and increased barrel pressure ratings for next-gen APFSDS rounds. Ammunition is stored in armored compartments with blast-out panels, and the gun is supported by a digital fire control system with Leonardo’s third-generation thermal sights and Thales Orion panoramic optics.

Challenger 3 features modular armor packages with classified ceramic and composite materials developed for multi-threat environments. Rafael’s Trophy-MV active protection system is integrated into the base platform, providing hard-kill defenses against RPGs, ATGMs, and top-attack drones. The vehicle’s new electronic backbone supports predictive diagnostics, software-defined updates, and cross-platform data sharing through the Army’s broader Land ISTAR network. Initial production models are undergoing live-fire validation and mobility testing in the UK and Germany, with IOC targeted for late 2026. The program is also being pitched to NATO partners seeking off-the-shelf modernization paths with proven survivability.

The British Army’s Challenger 3 upgrades a proven platform with a NATO-compatible smoothbore gun, modular armor, and the Trophy APS, ensuring survivability in high-threat operational theaters.

The Battlefield is Changing, and the MBT is Changing With It

What defines a modern tank today is no longer just the size of its gun or the thickness of its armor. The new generation of MBTs emerging in 2025 reflects a profound shift toward networked survivability, multi-domain integration, and digital adaptability. As seen in programs like the M1E3 and K3, tanks are evolving into energy-conscious, AI-enhanced combat systems designed to operate in drone-heavy, sensor-saturated battlespaces. Traditional strengths such as firepower and protection remain essential, but survivability now hinges just as much on electronic warfare resilience, signature management, and interoperability with unmanned systems.

The MBT is far from obsolete. On the contrary, it is being reimagined to meet the demands of a faster, more lethal battlefield where mobility, autonomy, and data are as decisive as steel and firepower. Whether rolling into urban combat zones or maneuvering across open terrain under constant drone surveillance, tomorrow’s tanks will need to think, see, and strike faster than ever before. These five platforms show that the race to define the future of armored warfare is not just alive, but accelerating.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
Türkiye’s FNSS develops PARS ALPHA 8×8 combat vehicle to counter new battlefield threats
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Türkiye’s defense manufacturer FNSS is developing the PARS ALPHA, a next-generation 8×8 armored combat vehicle engineered to confront the evolving threats of modern warfare. The platform combines mobility, protection, and digital integration to meet the tactical demands of high-intensity battlefields.

Istanbul, Türkiye, October 26, 2025 - Turkish-based Company FNSS has developed the PARS ALPHA, a new generation 8×8 armored fighting vehicle designed to operate in increasingly lethal, technology-driven combat environments. The company describes the vehicle as a response to lessons learned from recent conflicts, where conventional armored platforms have faced greater vulnerability from precision munitions, drones, and electronic warfare. The PARS ALPHA program reflects Türkiye’s ambition to field adaptable, network-ready vehicles that align with future NATO and allied operational concepts.
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The Turkish-made FNSS PARS ALPHA 8x8 is a new-generation armored combat vehicle designed to deliver enhanced mobility, protection, and digital integration for modern battlefield operations. (Picture source: FNSS)

Military planners are adapting to a new threat landscape shaped by drone swarms, loitering munitions, top-attack anti-tank weapons, and real-time battlefield surveillance. These factors have highlighted the limitations of legacy infantry fighting vehicles, especially in terms of survivability, mobility, and situational awareness. At the same time, modern militaries are seeking armored platforms that can serve as digital combat nodes, integrate easily into networked command structures, and support modular mission configurations.

With the PARS ALPHA, FNSS introduces a completely reengineered layout. The powerpack is placed in the front, allowing the driver and commander to sit side by side behind the engine. This not only enhances frontal protection but also improves crew coordination and battlefield awareness. The crew is supported by 360-degree day and night vision through a suite of cameras and multispectral sensors. The system architecture is designed to accommodate future upgrades, including remote control, autonomous functions, and active protection systems.

Mobility is one of the platform’s standout features. The vehicle uses a new generation of fully independent hydropneumatic suspension, all-wheel drive, and all-wheel steering, allowing it to maneuver with exceptional agility for its weight class. It can turn within a tight radius and maintain a road speed of over 115 kilometers per hour. Its combat weight is rated at up to 40 tons, and the platform offers an operational range exceeding 800 kilometers. FNSS has also integrated a next-generation digital control suite that is compatible with future hybrid-electric propulsion systems.

In its standard configuration, the PARS ALPHA is armed with the TEBER-II 30/40 remote turret. The turret includes a 30mm dual-feed cannon (upgradeable to 40mm), a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun, and optional integration of anti-tank guided missiles. It supports hunter-killer engagement modes and dynamic target tracking, making it suitable for both high-threat conventional engagements and asymmetric warfare.

Protection is scalable to meet mission requirements. The vehicle meets STANAG 4569 Level 4 baseline protection and can be upgraded with reactive armor, soft-kill and hard-kill active protection systems, and CBRN shielding. Internally, blast-attenuating seats and decoupled flooring are used to increase survivability against mines and improvised explosive devices. The vehicle is fully compatible with NATO-standard digital communications and battlefield management systems.

The PARS ALPHA is designed for modularity, supporting a wide range of roles including reconnaissance, mobile gun system, command post, ambulance, and mortar carrier. It is also fully air-transportable by platforms such as the A400M and C-17, enhancing its strategic mobility for rapid deployment scenarios.

With the new PARS ALPHA 8x8 armored fighting vehicle, FNSS is aiming to challenge leading 8x8 competitors such as the German Boxer, Patria AMV XP from Finland, and American Stryker A1 by offering a more future-proof solution that combines battlefield survivability with cutting-edge technology and logistical adaptability.

For full technical specifications and system integration details of the PARS ALPHA 8x8, visit our dedicated technical data page.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
Northrop Grumman & U.S. Army test new Integrated Battle Command System for air and missile defense
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Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Army have conducted the first live-fire test of the new Integrated Battle Command System using production hardware. The successful demonstration shows the system’s ability to link and control air and missile defense units ahead of deployment in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

Washington D.C., United States, October 22, 2025 - Northrop Grumman announced on October 20, 2025, that it has completed the first live-fire demonstration of the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), in collaboration with the U.S. Army, using operational production hardware. The test confirmed the system’s ability to integrate sensors, launchers, and command nodes from multiple defense units into one coordinated network.
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Pictured above is the Engagement Operations Center, the central hub for data processing and communications within the Integrated Battle Command System IBCS. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

U.S. Army officials said the event represents a major step toward deploying the system to forward commands in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, where it will help strengthen regional defense coordination against advanced threats.

In a decisive show of modernization momentum, the U.S. Army has completed its first live-fire demonstration of the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) using deployable Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) hardware. This watershed moment signals operational readiness as the system begins deployment to forward theaters in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. IBCS is the U.S. Army’s next-generation command-and-control system designed to integrate sensors, weapons, and decision-making tools across air and missile defense units. It enables a unified battlespace picture, allowing faster and more accurate responses to evolving aerial threats. This advanced networked architecture replaces legacy stovepiped systems, linking radars and effectors across domains to deliver unprecedented flexibility and precision on the modern battlefield.

Conducted in August 2025, at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, the test simulated a hostile air-breathing target, challenging the U.S. Army’s new command and control architecture to detect, track, classify, and neutralize the threat. Leveraging real-time sensor fusion between the IBCS system and the in-development Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS), the operation culminated in the successful engagement of the target with a Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor. All elements from initial track to kill confirmation were orchestrated by IBCS, which performed autonomously and seamlessly under live-fire conditions.

This marked the first time that the U.S. Army has fired a live interceptor controlled by field-ready IBCS hardware, rather than lab-based prototypes or simulation suites. Sources close to the program describe the test as a tactical turning point that represents a transition from development to operational deployment. The system’s performance not only confirmed the integrity of its fire control and decision-support algorithms but also validated its battlefield survivability under real-world operational tempo.

Northrop Grumman, which leads the IBCS program under a series of Pentagon contracts, delivered the LRIP hardware and software suite now entering service. The company has already completed major deliveries under its low-rate production schedule and is transitioning to full-rate production at its Enhanced Production and Integration Center (EPIC) facility in Huntsville, Alabama. This new production hub enables scaled manufacturing of IBCS units, ensuring readiness for large-scale fielding to both U.S. and allied forces.

Kenn Todorov, Northrop Grumman’s vice president and general manager for command and control and weapons integration, emphasized the broader implications of the successful test. He stated that it proves IBCS is fully capable of supporting U.S. and allied forces in the world’s most demanding operational environments. According to Todorov, the live-fire performance "demonstrates IBCS is not just ready, but indispensable for modern, multi-domain air and missile defense missions." He also underscored the system’s role in enhancing international cooperation, calling it a vital tool for strengthening both homeland and allied security in the face of rapidly evolving threats.

At its core, IBCS is built around several key components that operate together to deliver distributed command and control across dispersed units. The system’s architecture includes Engagement Operations Centers (EOCs), which serve as the primary command nodes for processing sensor data, executing fire control decisions, and coordinating engagement orders. These EOCs are connected via a resilient Integrated Fire Control Network (IFCN) that links sensors and shooters regardless of physical location or platform type. Sensors feeding into IBCS include the Sentinel radar, the AN/MPQ-65 radar used with Patriot systems, and the next-generation LTAMDS. On the effector side, IBCS can command a range of interceptors including PAC-2, PAC-3 MSE, and future systems such as the Lower Tier Interceptor (LTI). The system also incorporates Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2) software hosted on ruggedized, modular computing systems, giving commanders real-time access to an integrated air picture across all threat axes. This highly adaptable framework enables rapid kill chain execution and empowers tactical commanders with unmatched situational awareness and operational flexibility.

For the U.S. Army, the operational value of IBCS lies in its ability to unify previously isolated systems into a single, integrated command structure capable of controlling a wide variety of air and missile defense assets. Historically, U.S. air defense units were constrained by closed, proprietary fire control systems that limited sensor-to-shooter interoperability. IBCS breaks those barriers by creating a modular, open-architecture network that links every sensor and shooter on the battlefield, regardless of manufacturer, range, or domain, into a cohesive ecosystem.

IBCS can control and integrate data from multiple sensor platforms including the Patriot radar, Sentinel radar, and the LTAMDS. On the effector side, it is fully capable of managing engagements using interceptors such as the Patriot PAC-2 and PAC-3, the forthcoming Lower Tier Interceptor, and even emerging directed energy weapons and future hypersonic interceptors. The system is also designed to incorporate third-party and allied systems, making it adaptable for coalition operations under NATO or joint-force command structures.

This flexibility allows IBCS to deliver what military planners refer to as "any sensor, best shooter" capability. For example, a target detected by a forward-deployed Sentinel radar can be tracked and classified by IBCS and then engaged by a Patriot launcher positioned miles away, without the need for manual coordination. This drastically reduces response time and increases the likelihood of intercepting high-speed or low-observable threats such as cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and unmanned aerial systems.

In practical terms, IBCS enables U.S. air defense units to outpace the speed and complexity of the modern threat environment, where adversaries are deploying coordinated salvos of missiles, drones, and aircraft in an attempt to saturate defenses. With IBCS, commanders can see across domains and react with a unified picture that stretches beyond the range of any single radar or launcher.

IBCS is already in active service with international partners. Poland became the first allied nation to field the system as part of its WISŁA medium-range air defense program. In September, Poland’s Ministry of National Defense conducted its first live operational exercise using IBCS, validating its capability under NATO-aligned conditions. The move underscores growing transatlantic trust in IBCS as a cornerstone for European air defense.

With deployments now underway to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. European Command, IBCS is entering a new phase of geostrategic significance. By enhancing sensor and shooter interoperability across domains, the system offers Combatant Commanders a force multiplier against growing missile threats from near-peer adversaries. Analysts note that IBCS could become a critical node in the future architecture of integrated deterrence, particularly in regions like the Taiwan Strait and Eastern Europe, where early warning and rapid decision-making are essential to preempting escalation.

This milestone comes as the Pentagon accelerates efforts to field multi-domain command and control capabilities across the services. IBCS, originally envisioned to modernize the U.S. Army’s air defense command layer, is increasingly being integrated into joint concepts under the Department of Defense’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) initiative. As such, the recent flight test not only demonstrated tactical functionality but also confirmed strategic viability for broader force-wide integration.

By moving from prototype to fielded capability, IBCS reaffirms the U.S. Army’s shift toward a digitally integrated battlespace, where speed, resilience, and interoperability define combat advantage. With global deployments now underway, the live-fire test sends an unmistakable signal: the future of air and missile defense is no longer theoretical; it is operational.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry
Future U.S. Army Infantry Fighting Vehicle XM30 Designed to Survive Modern Battlefields
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The U.S. Army’s XM30 Infantry Fighting Vehicle is emerging as the service’s next-generation replacement for the aging M2 Bradley. Designed to endure drone swarms, top-attack munitions, and digital-age warfare, the XM30 signals a leap in how mechanized forces will fight and survive.

Washington D.C., United States, October 20, 2025 - The U.S. Army is moving forward with its XM30 Infantry Fighting Vehicle program, a clean-sheet design that breaks from decades of incremental upgrades to the M2 Bradley. Developed under the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle initiative, the XM30 is intended to thrive on battlefields defined by electronic warfare, autonomous systems, and near-peer threats. Army acquisition officials describe it as a networked, modular vehicle capable of operating with or without a crew, integrating seamlessly with the Army’s future command and control architecture.
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The American Rheinmetall Vehicles Lynx KF41 (left) and General Dynamics Land Systems Griffin III (right), the two competing prototypes selected by the U.S. Army for the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle program, aimed at replacing the legacy M2 Bradley in frontline mechanized units. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

Developed under the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle portfolio, the XM30 is engineered to give Armored Brigade Combat Teams a decisive edge with modular design, hybrid-electric propulsion, advanced sensor integration, and superior lethality. It is not just a new vehicle; it is a transformational shift in how the U.S. Army conceives of armored infantry warfare.

As of October 20, 2025, the XM30 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) U.S. Army program is well into the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase following a Milestone B decision taken in June 2025. This critical approval moved the project from the design phase into the physical prototyping stage. Both General Dynamics Land Systems and American Rheinmetall Vehicles are currently constructing full-scale prototypes, scheduled for delivery to the U.S. Army in early 2026. Evaluation and trials will inform the final selection process, with a low-rate initial production decision expected by late 2027.

The U.S. Army has established clear threshold requirements across three core areas: mobility, armament, and protection. These define the technological foundation of the XM30 and represent a fundamental leap beyond what the M2 Bradley is capable of delivering.

Mobility

The XM30 must outperform the M2A4 Bradley in terms of both tactical and operational mobility. It will be equipped with a hybrid-electric propulsion system to enable silent mobility, rapid acceleration, and expanded onboard power generation. This is essential for powering advanced sensors, communications equipment, and future energy-based weapon systems. Air transportability remains a hard requirement, with two XM30s needing to fit inside a single C-17 aircraft. The Army also demands superior cross-country performance, improved power-to-weight ratio, and better endurance in austere environments.

Armament

The XM30 will feature a remote-operated turret integrating a 30mm autocannon with growth potential to the XM913 50mm chain gun. This firepower upgrade is paired with a coaxial machine gun and integrated launchers for precision-guided anti-tank missiles. The vehicle must also support advanced fire control systems, laser rangefinders, day and night targeting sensors, and artificial intelligence-enabled targeting support. These features are essential for engaging enemy IFVs, personnel, and drones across complex environments while minimizing exposure of the crew to hostile fire.

Protection

The XM30 is expected to deliver a dramatic improvement in survivability over the Bradley IFV. The vehicle must feature modular passive armor, underbody blast protection, and advanced Active Protection Systems capable of intercepting rocket-propelled grenades and guided missiles. Crew and dismount safety against IEDs and top-attack munitions is a top priority. The XM30 must also integrate full-spectrum countermeasures against UAV threats, along with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear protection and onboard fire suppression systems.

Each vehicle will carry a crew of two, a driver and a commander, and transport at least six to nine fully equipped infantry soldiers. The interior layout is being designed to allow rapid dismounting under fire, while also supporting long-duration missions with integrated situational awareness and mission planning tools.

The two current competitors bring distinct approaches to the program. General Dynamics Land Systems has proposed a Griffin III-based design that draws on ASCOD chassis heritage and technologies proven during the U.S. Army’s Mobile Protected Firepower program. American Rheinmetall Vehicles, in partnership with Raytheon and Textron Systems, is adapting its Lynx KF41 platform to meet U.S. requirements, emphasizing modularity, digital architecture, and soldier-centric design.

Both teams received a combined 1.6 billion dollars in prototype development contracts from the U.S. Army in 2023 and are under close scrutiny as testing timelines tighten. Industry insiders report that vehicle integration and power management systems are being closely examined by Army officials ahead of the upcoming field trials.

One of the most important ground vehicle programs for the U.S. Army

The XM30 is not just a new armored vehicle. It is one of the most strategically significant ground combat programs currently underway in the U.S. defense apparatus. For more than 40 years, the M2 Bradley has served as the backbone of U.S. mechanized infantry operations. While it has undergone dozens of upgrades, its core structure can no longer support the technological requirements of modern warfare. Its limitations in protection, digital integration, power generation, and internal volume have become more acute as threats evolve.

The replacement of the Bradley is not a routine fleet modernization. It is a critical force transformation aimed at enabling multi-domain operations against near-peer adversaries like Russia and China. The XM30 must integrate seamlessly with joint and allied forces, support advanced communications and command networks, and defeat a new class of threats including loitering munitions, top-attack ATGMs, and swarm drones.

The U.S. Army’s vision for the XM30 is clear. It must deliver decisive overmatch in lethality, mobility, and protection, while remaining flexible enough to adapt over decades of service life. Its open architecture and digital backbone are designed for continuous upgrade, ensuring the platform remains relevant through 2040 and beyond.

With rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific and continued pressure to deter Russian aggression in Europe, Army leaders are treating the XM30 as a keystone modernization priority. It directly addresses operational gaps identified over two decades of combat deployments and prepares U.S. armored forces for high-intensity warfare against peer adversaries.

For Army Recognition readers, the future XM30 IFV for U.S. Army offers a rare window into the future of U.S. ground combat doctrine. Beyond its industrial significance, the technologies being tested, from hybrid-electric propulsion to AI-enabled targeting, are likely to influence armored vehicle design and procurement strategies across NATO for the next generation.

As the prototypes near delivery and the evaluation phase begins, the XM30 stands at the center of a historic transition in American land warfare. Its success could redefine what it means to fight and win in the 21st-century battlespace.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
BAE’s new M109A7 52 caliber howitzer gives U.S. Army Paladin long-range capability
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BAE Systems has introduced the new M109A7 52 caliber self-propelled howitzer, pairing the M109A7 Paladin howitzer tracked chassis with Rheinmetall’s L52 155mm cannon to significantly increase range. The design marks a quick-turn solution for the U.S. Army’s long-range fires gap following the ERCA program’s halt.

Washington D.C., United States, October 19, 2025 - BAE Systems is offering the U.S. Army a practical upgrade in its pursuit of extended-range firepower. The company’s new M109A7 52 caliber self-propelled howitzer prototype combines the proven M109A7 Paladin howitzer tracked chassis with the German Rheinmetall 155mm L52 cannon, delivering greater range and rate of fire while maintaining full logistical compatibility with existing fleets.
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BAE Systems showcases the M109A7 52-caliber self-propelled howitzer, featuring the 155mm 52-caliber Rheinmetall gun integrated on the M109A7 chassis, during the AUSA 2025 exhibition in Washington, D.C., marking a key step in U.S. Army artillery modernization. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The M109A7 is the latest iteration of the long-serving M109 Paladin series and serves as the U.S. Army’s primary tracked self-propelled howitzer. It provides indirect fire support to armored brigade combat teams with improved survivability, mobility, and power generation compared to earlier models. Built on a modified Bradley Fighting Vehicle chassis, the M109A7 integrates a fully electric gun drive system, enhanced digital fire control, and upgraded onboard diagnostics. Crucially, it maintains compatibility with the legacy 39-caliber 155mm howitzer, while offering a modernized platform ready for growth, such as the integration of longer-range cannons like the L52. With the Army prioritizing maneuverability and rapid response in large-scale combat operations, the M109A7 serves as the foundational platform for future artillery capability enhancements like the M109A7 52 caliber.

This new platform is not just a speculative prototype. It is a deliberate blend of combat-tested hardware and NATO-standard firepower. After years of struggling with the technical risks of experimental artillery concepts, BAE Systems has opted for a lower-risk integration that could fast-track the U.S. Army’s long-range fires gap closer to operational readiness.

Unlike the now-cancelled ERCA platform, which ran into technical bottlenecks including rapid barrel degradation and excessive system weight, the M109A7 52 caliber takes a pragmatic path forward. By grafting the proven Rheinmetall L52 long-barrel cannon onto the M109A7’s digital fire control and robust electric-drive chassis, the system promises a significant leap in range without redesigning the entire vehicle architecture. BAE officials describe the project as leveraging mature subsystems while doubling down on NATO compatibility. The L52 cannon is already in frontline use with platforms such as the German PzH 2000 155mm self-propelled tracked howitzer and the Swedish Archer, making it a logical choice for cross-force interoperability.

From a technical perspective, the leap in performance is substantial. The current M109A7, armed with a 39-caliber gun, delivers effective fire at roughly 23 kilometers using standard high-explosive rounds and about 30 kilometers with rocket-assisted projectiles. With the Rheinmetall L52 integrated, the unassisted range extends beyond 30 kilometers, while rocket-assisted rounds reportedly reach as far as 60 kilometers. This effectively doubles the operational fire envelope and could significantly alter force posture at the brigade level. While those figures are subject to continued field validation, they reflect real potential to regain the standoff advantage in peer-level engagements.

The M109A7 52 caliber’s development is being advanced under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM-AC). Testing milestones include successful live-fire trials at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, where the new cannon was mounted and fired from the M109A7’s existing turret structure. Early reports confirm full mechanical integration with the vehicle’s existing recoil system and gun mount, a critical factor in limiting development costs and simplifying eventual fielding.

This program also carries significant strategic weight. The failure of ERCA left a conspicuous gap in the Army’s long-range precision fires modernization roadmap. The M109A7 52 caliber appears to fill that void not by revolutionizing artillery, but by upgrading what already works. That reflects a broader shift inside Army Futures Command, a move away from moonshot programs toward more incremental, achievable modernization that can withstand congressional scrutiny and budgetary pressure.

The adoption of a foreign-made cannon also signals a notable shift in acquisition philosophy. For decades, U.S. ground systems have relied almost exclusively on domestic cannon designs. By integrating Rheinmetall’s L52, BAE and the Army are accepting that in a race for capability, allied solutions may sometimes offer the fastest path to the battlefield. That could have ripple effects on domestic cannon producers and the broader U.S. artillery industrial base.

However, questions remain about long-term sustainability. The L52’s barrel, while proven, may still face wear issues under sustained firing conditions. Autoloader integration remains uncertain. The current M109A7 52 caliber configuration appears to retain manual loading, which could limit rate of fire in high-intensity operations. And while the system enhances range, accuracy and lethality will depend heavily on integration with the Army’s wider networked fires architecture, including sensors, targeting systems, and real-time data links.

It is also unclear how soon the M109A7 52 caliber could enter serial production or at what scale. BAE has not released unit costs or production timelines, though the use of existing vehicle platforms is expected to help contain overall program expense. Still, any decision to procure the system at scale would likely come as part of the FY2026 or FY2027 U.S. defense budget cycles.

In operational terms, the M109A7 52 caliber is a meaningful bridge, not a destination. It brings immediate improvements in range and coalition interoperability while the Army continues developing longer-range systems like Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) variants and extended-range rocket artillery. For heavy brigade combat teams, however, it may restore the relevance of tracked self-propelled artillery in high-intensity, contested domains, particularly in Europe or the Indo-Pacific.

This development reflects a broader recalibration of the U.S. Army’s fires modernization priorities. Having learned the hard lessons of ERCA, the M109A7 52 caliber represents a disciplined, evolution-based approach. It leverages field-proven technology, cross-NATO standardization, and rapid integration timelines to meet urgent operational needs. It is not revolutionary, but it might be exactly what the Army needs right now: range, reliability, and readiness without the risks of reinvention.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
U.S. soldiers test 3D printed Widowmaker grenade dropper on PDW C100 drone in Germany
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U.S. soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division tested a 3D printed munition dropper called Widowmaker, mounted on a PDW C100 drone, during Combined Resolve 26 1 in Germany. The system represents a new frontier in soldier-driven innovation, combining field fabrication with real-time battlefield utility.

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany - On October 9 2025, the U.S. Department of War reported that soldiers from the Multi Purpose Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division tested a 3D printed munition dropper system known as Widowmaker during the multinational exercise Combined Resolve 26 1. Mounted on a PDW C100 drone, the compact device enables precision release of M67 fragmentation grenades, M18 smoke grenades, and training munitions. Developed and manufactured entirely in theater through additive manufacturing, the project underscores how deployed units can design and field mission-specific tools within days.
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U.S. soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division monitor a PDW C-100 drone in flight, outfitted with the Widowmaker munition dropper, during exercises in Germany. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

The combat capabilities offered by the Widowmaker fundamentally alter the dynamics of small-unit warfare. At its core, the system empowers platoon-level forces to carry out independent precision strikes from the air without waiting for external fire support or rotary-wing assets. Instead of requesting artillery or airstrikes through lengthy approval chains, infantry squads equipped with the Widowmaker can identify, engage, and neutralize enemy positions within minutes using coordinated drone operations. Typically, one drone serves as a forward observer, locating and tracking targets, while another executes the munition drop. This compresses the sensor-to-shooter timeline into a tactical advantage at ground level.

The platform enabling this capability is the PDW C-100 drone, a rugged, electric quadcopter designed by Pacific Defense Works and selected by the U.S. Army under its Company-Level Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) initiative. With a payload capacity exceeding 5 pounds, VTOL capability, a flight endurance of over 30 minutes, and a compact, foldable frame, the C-100 is purpose-built for dismounted infantry operations. Its low acoustic signature and stable flight profile make it ideal for precision munition delivery in urban, wooded, or mountainous terrain, exactly the types of environments where conventional fires are often delayed or unavailable.

During testing in Germany, the Widowmaker demonstrated the ability to release up to four grenades per sortie with accuracy from standoff ranges exceeding 100 meters. The system uses a lightweight, 3D-printed pylon-mounted dropper affixed beneath the drone’s fuselage, with electronic release mechanisms triggered by the operator via remote control. What sets it apart is the flexibility of its design. The dropper system can be tailored to various mission needs and quickly reprinted or modified in the field. Soldiers with no formal engineering background produced the current prototype using commercial CAD software and standard Army additive manufacturing kits, showcasing the potential of low-cost, soldier-led development for tactical systems.

From a combat perspective, this represents more than an incremental improvement. It introduces a disruptive capability at the squad level, transforming infantry units into autonomous strike teams with their own air-delivered munitions. Whether used to flush out enemy forces from cover, deliver obscuring smoke to screen maneuvers, or harass opposing positions during assaults, the Widowmaker provides new options for shaping the battlefield in real time. In decentralized, contested environments where mobility, responsiveness, and self-sufficiency are paramount, the system fills a critical gap between man-portable fires and higher-echelon support.

The broader implications are equally significant. The Widowmaker is not the product of a defense contractor or formal acquisition program. It is a solution built by Soldiers, for Soldiers, conceived, designed, and iterated entirely within the ranks of the 101st Airborne Division. The design has already been transferred to EagleWerx, the division’s innovation lab at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, for refinement and potential wider implementation across U.S. Army formations. This aligns directly with the Army’s “Transforming in Contact” doctrine, which encourages bottom-up innovation and rapid field experimentation in operational environments.

As modern conflicts trend toward greater decentralization, electronic warfare threats, and the erosion of uncontested air superiority, the ability to generate effects at the lowest levels becomes more valuable. Systems like the Widowmaker offer scalable lethality, battlefield adaptability, and logistical simplicity, all critical attributes in peer-to-peer combat. They also reflect a growing institutional recognition that warfighters closest to the problem often hold the key to the solution.

The 101st Airborne’s pioneering use of this technology signals a turning point in how tactical capabilities are developed and deployed. More than just a successful prototype, the Widowmaker could serve as a blueprint for a new generation of soldier-designed drone munitions, modular, mission-configurable, and made for the fight at hand. If adopted at scale, it could fundamentally reshape how infantry units apply force, extending their reach and survivability in ways previously reserved for larger, slower-moving formations.

Army Recognition will continue following the Widowmaker’s evolution as it advances from operational testing into potential program-level adoption. For now, its impact is clear: the future of infantry combat is airborne, adaptive, and increasingly in the hands of the Soldiers themselves.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
DSEI 2025: U.S. Lockheed Martin new TPY-4 radar delivers advanced long-range battlefield surveillance
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At DSEI 2025 defense exhibition in London, UK, American Company Lockheed Martin delivered a strong strategic signal to U.S. allies and competitors alike with the expanded promotion of its AN/TPY-4 radar system. The high-performance long-range surveillance radar, which has recently completed early delivery to the U.S. Air Force under the Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar (3DELRR) program, took center stage at the company’s exhibition with a prominent static display and new details following Sweden’s confirmed selection of the system in June 2025. The Nordic nation now becomes the third confirmed operator of the TPY-4, following the United States and Norway, in what defense officials describe as a strategic acceleration of regional air defense integration within NATO.
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Scale model of Lockheed Martin's TPY-4 radar on display at DSEI 2025, illustrating its modular design and expeditionary configuration optimized for strategic mobility and NATO interoperability. (Picture source Army Recognition Group)

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) announced its decision to procure the TPY-4 after a multi-phase evaluation campaign focused on radar survivability, interoperability, and long-range detection under electronic warfare conditions. By June 2025, it was announced that Sweden had selected the TPY-4, becoming the latest NATO member to align its air defense architecture with U.S.-developed radar technology. Lockheed Martin confirmed that Sweden will receive its first unit by late 2027 under a multi-system contract, with plans to field the radars along Sweden’s eastern air defense belt facing the Baltic Sea. Integration into Sweden’s national air picture will be coordinated with NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense System (NATINAMDS), marking a milestone in Sweden’s defense modernization following its full NATO accession earlier this year.

The TPY-4 radar, developed under the U.S. Air Force’s 3DELRR initiative, is designed to replace legacy AN/TPS-75 units and redefine expeditionary radar capability across the L-band spectrum. Built around a gallium nitride-based active electronically scanned array (AESA), the radar provides full 360-degree surveillance, enabling simultaneous tracking of tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, fifth-generation aircraft, and small unmanned systems. Lockheed Martin officials detailed to Army Recognition how the radar’s digital beamforming and adaptive signal processing provide persistent surveillance even under intense jamming or clutter environments. The system’s software-defined architecture allows seamless upgrades and tailored mission configurations without hardware changes.

Key performance specifications include detection ranges beyond 550 km in 360-degree coverage mode, and extended reach of over 1,000 km when operated in a focused directional "stare" mode. These capabilities are designed to provide early warning and threat tracking across multiple domains, enabling rapid cueing of missile defense assets and fighter intercepts. A company spokesperson highlighted the radar’s operational flexibility as a decisive advantage for NATO forces facing simultaneous air, missile, and drone threats across broad theaters of operation.

Compared to its predecessor, the AN/TPS-75, the TPY-4 represents a generational leap in radar technology and operational relevance. While the TPS-75 relied on older analog architecture with limited electronic protection and fixed operating modes, the TPY-4 introduces a fully digital, software-defined sensor framework powered by gallium nitride (GaN) transmit-receive modules. This shift enables not only significantly extended detection ranges and higher resolution tracking but also allows the radar to dynamically adapt waveforms in response to emerging threats and jamming attempts in real time. Unlike the TPS-75’s directional and mechanically steered array, the TPY-4 offers true 360-degree coverage in a rotating configuration and can operate in both mobile and fixed roles. Its built-in cybersecurity hardening, modular architecture, and plug-and-play integration with modern command-and-control networks make it fully compatible with NATO's evolving digital battlespace requirements. These advancements position the TPY-4 as not just a replacement but a full-spectrum upgrade over the previous generation of ground-based air surveillance radars.

The U.S. Air Force has already taken delivery of its first TPY-4 unit and has contracted 19 systems under a 472 million dollar procurement, with long-term plans to deploy up to 35 units by 2028. The system is being integrated into the Air Force’s broader Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) and Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) infrastructure. Early testing at Hill Air Force Base has demonstrated not only superior detection ranges but rapid operational setup and high mobility, with the entire system transportable via C-130 or wheeled platforms for agile deployment.

For Sweden, the acquisition marks a significant leap in national air surveillance and a broader shift toward NATO-standard integrated defense. The TPY-4’s selection sends a clear message: Stockholm is investing in capabilities that extend beyond territorial defense, aiming to contribute to NATO’s collective situational awareness and deterrence posture across northern Europe. Defense analysts see the radar as central to Sweden’s plans to harden its Baltic flank, especially given the increasing air and missile threat from Russia’s Western Military District and naval forces operating in the region.

As of September 2025, Lockheed Martin has confirmed ongoing discussions with additional European partners including Romania, the Netherlands, and Greece, each seeking to modernize legacy air surveillance networks in the face of growing aerial and missile threats. The TPY-4’s strong showing at DSEI and the momentum gained from Sweden’s June acquisition suggest that Lockheed Martin’s radar is on track to become NATO’s primary ground-based long-range sensor over the next decade.

The company is also exploring co-production and sustainment agreements with select European customers, an effort aimed at reducing delivery timelines and strengthening local industrial participation. Sources close to the Swedish deal noted that at least one Swedish defense electronics firm will be involved in integration and life-cycle support, reflecting the growing emphasis on transatlantic defense industrial cooperation.

With its advanced threat tracking, rapid deployability, and modular growth potential, the TPY-4 is now firmly positioned as the radar centerpiece of NATO’s next-generation air defense strategy.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.
U.S. F-15E fighter jet integrates AGR 20F laser-guided rockets for counter-drone missions
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The U.S. Air Force has significantly expanded the combat versatility of its F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet through the rapid integration of the AGR-20F Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II. This precision-guided rocket, originally developed for lightweight platforms, is now fully operational aboard the Strike Eagle, bringing new counter-drone and precision strike capabilities to one of the Air Force’s most powerful multirole aircraft. The integration effort, executed by the 96th Test Wing and 53rd Wing, progressed from ground testing to combat deployment in just nine days, redefining rapid fielding for tactical airpower.
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A 96th Test Wing F-15E Strike Eagle conducts a test flight with AGR-20F laser-guided rockets over Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, on May 22, 2024. The 96th and 53rd Wings accelerated integration of the precision weapon to rapidly field the new counter-drone capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Barley)

The AGR-20F is a laser-guided version of the 70mm Hydra rocket, designed to strike with high accuracy while offering a cost-effective alternative to larger guided bombs. With a weight of roughly 30 pounds and a standoff range of 5 to 7 kilometers, the weapon fills a critical gap between unguided munitions and expensive precision systems like the GBU-39 or AGM-65. Its integration onto the F-15E adds a scalable option for engaging low-cost threats such as small drones, light vehicles, and fast-attack craft with minimal collateral risk.

Unlike traditional bomb racks designed for larger payloads, the F-15E had no existing method to carry the AGR-20F. Engineers resolved this by repurposing legacy Triple Ejector Rack-9A systems and LAU-131 rocket launchers. These 1970s-era components were salvaged from long-term storage and modified for modern use. This approach avoided the delays of new hardware development and allowed the test team to proceed with live integration under an expedited schedule.

Equally critical was the creation of a digital interface that allowed the AGR-20F to communicate with the F-15E's avionics. Prior to this integration, no such interface existed. The solution was based on prior work completed for the F-16, and required the adaptation of both software and wiring architecture. The new connection enabled the rocket to receive in-flight targeting data and respond to laser designation cues provided by the aircraft's targeting pod. This ensured real-time terminal guidance and allowed for accurate engagements across a range of mission profiles.

Flight testing included both land-based and overwater scenarios. The AGR-20F proved effective against mobile and static ground targets simulating unmanned aerial systems and light armor. Maritime testing confirmed the weapon's ability to strike small surface threats, expanding the Strike Eagle’s role in littoral and coastal strike missions. The rocket's lightweight profile and fast time-on-target make it ideal for operations in cluttered or contested airspaces where traditional munitions may be unsuitable due to cost, size, or risk of collateral effects.

With the AGR-20F, the F-15E Strike Eagle gains a tactical capability long absent from its mission set. While originally built for deep-strike and interdiction roles, the aircraft can now engage drones and asymmetric targets during the same sortie, without reconfiguring loadouts or relying on support platforms. This modularity enhances mission flexibility, enabling squadrons to adapt to evolving threats mid-mission while preserving larger precision weapons for high-value targets.

The fielding of the AGR-20F on the F-15E reflects a broader shift in U.S. Air Force munitions strategy. As adversaries increasingly field low-cost drones and fast-moving unconventional systems, the Air Force is prioritizing affordable precision options that can be widely deployed across its legacy and frontline fleets. The AGR-20F offers a low-cost-per-shot solution that extends the lifespan of more expensive munitions and allows aircraft to conduct volume fires against drone swarms or soft-skinned vehicles with surgical accuracy.

This capability is now operational in a combatant command theater, where F-15E units are actively flying with the AGR-20F following the rapid test and integration sprint. The deployment includes not only the rockets but also associated launch systems, targeting procedures, and maintenance support packages. This ensures full operational readiness and provides combat aircrews with immediate access to the new capability under live-fire conditions.

By merging legacy hardware with modern weapons and avionics, the AGR-20F integration demonstrates how adaptability and speed can reshape the tactical landscape. The U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle’s new role in the counter-UAS fight highlights the aircraft’s ongoing relevance in modern warfare and signals the Air Force’s intent to outpace emerging threats with agility and precision.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former non-commissioned officer in infantry units and the founder of Army Recognition Group. With over 20 years of experience in defense journalism, he specializes in military equipment analysis, NATO operations, and global defense industry coverage. His combined military background and editorial leadership have made Army Recognition a key source for defense professionals, armed forces, and industry leaders worldwide.
Technology: Israel’s Rafael to enhance protection of Polish K2 tanks with Trophy anti-missile system
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During MSPO 2025 in Kielce, Poland, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems from Israel and South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem Company finalized a strategic teaming agreement to integrate the Israeli-developed Trophy Active Protection System (APS) onto the Polish army's K2 main battle tank and its future variants. The agreement was signed at the Hyundai Rotem booth in the presence of senior executives from both companies, symbolizing a deepening of Israeli-Korean defense ties with significant implications for both domestic force modernization and international armored vehicle markets.
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Polish Army K2 main battle tanks will be equipped with the Israeli Trophy active protection system to enhance survivability against modern anti-tank threats. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The new agreement formalizes earlier cooperation under a Memorandum of Understanding and now establishes a full-spectrum collaboration covering system integration, production, lifecycle support, and joint marketing of the combat-proven APS for the Republic of Korea's defense programs. Rafael's Trophy system, the world’s first operational APS with extensive battlefield deployment experience, is set to become a core survivability feature on the Polish Army K2 Main Battle Tank (MBT), including the Polish-customized K2PL variant, marking the first integration of an APS into a Korean-built main battle tank.

This partnership represents a major leap in active protection for the K2, a platform already recognized for its cutting-edge mobility, firepower, and digital battlefield capabilities. By incorporating Trophy, the K2 gains a hard-kill defense layer capable of intercepting and neutralizing incoming anti-tank threats such as RPGs and guided missiles, significantly increasing crew survivability in high-threat environments. Hyundai Rotem confirmed that the system will be fully adapted to the K2's architecture, ensuring optimized integration with the tank’s existing command, control, and sensor suites.

Trophy, developed by Rafael in cooperation with Israel Aerospace Industries' Elta Systems, operates as a 360-degree active protection shield that uses advanced radar to detect, track, and instantly intercept incoming threats with explosive countermeasures before impact. Unlike passive or reactive armor, which absorbs or deflects damage, Trophy proactively eliminates the threat mid-flight. The system has been successfully deployed on the Israeli Merkava IV and Namer armored vehicles, as well as U.S. Army M1A2 Abrams tanks, and is credited with saving lives in numerous real-world combat engagements.

The war in Ukraine has underscored the vulnerability of even modern tanks to man-portable anti-tank guided missiles, loitering munitions, and top-attack drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces have suffered substantial armored vehicle losses due to these evolving threats, which have been employed with high frequency and accuracy. In this operational context, Trophy’s battle-proven capabilities offer a decisive layer of survivability that directly addresses the most pressing threats faced by armored formations on today’s dynamic battlefield.

For the Polish Army, which is currently acquiring a significant number of K2 and K2PL tanks as part of a broader force modernization program, the integration of Trophy is a critical upgrade. It provides real-time, autonomous defense against Kornet-style ATGMs, RPG-29s, and drone-launched munitions that have proven highly lethal in Ukraine. Trophy not only intercepts these threats but also pinpoints their origin, enabling immediate counter-engagement by the tank or supporting units. This threat localization capability transforms the K2 into both a protected and a more lethal platform, enabling it to respond faster and more effectively in ambush or complex combat scenarios.

The move comes amid increasing demand for advanced survivability systems as modern armored forces face evolving threats in contested battlefields, especially in Europe. The K2, currently being delivered to Poland under a multi-phase contract, is seen as a frontrunner for several upcoming tenders, including in NATO-aligned countries seeking next-generation MBT capabilities. The addition of Trophy is expected to enhance the K2's competitiveness against European and American designs that are either considering or already deploying APS technology.

For Rafael, the deal signifies another export success for Trophy, which is already deployed on Israel’s Merkava IV tanks and Namer APCs, as well as selected U.S. Army M1A2 Abrams variants. For Hyundai Rotem, it reinforces the company’s strategic pivot toward high-value partnerships and indigenous industrial growth, particularly through localized production and technology transfer initiatives that will shape Korea’s future armored forces.

With battlefield survivability becoming a critical factor in MBT procurement, the Rafael-Hyundai Rotem alliance positions the K2 MBT as a leading-edge solution for both domestic and allied forces, underscoring a growing trend in global defense: the fusion of combat-tested systems with agile, next-gen platforms for operational superiority in multi-domain conflicts.