Uncrowned Guard

KONGSBERG Selects MESA Radar for Counter-UAS SystemsKONGSBERG has selected Echodyne’s MESA radar platform for air and surface applications, including integration with its PROTECTOR RS4 and RS6 remote weapon stations. The initial integrations are intended to provide radar tracking data for counter-unmanned aircraft system operations. According to Echodyne’s Sept. 9, 2026, announcement, the solid-state radar can be installed on static, crewed and uncrewed platforms. The companies did not disclose procurement quantities, customers, deployment schedules, or contract value. Detection and Fire-Control FunctionsThe MESA radar supplies range, range-rate, bearing and target kinematic data to the weapon station’s fire-control chain. Echodyne said the radar is designed to stabilize and cue the system’s optical sensors, maintain target tracks and reduce the time between detection and engagement. The integration combines the radar with KONGSBERG’s weapon-station architecture and Collaborative Fire Control capabilities. It is intended to support tracking of fast-moving unmanned aircraft with low radar cross-sections while operating within the size, weight, and power limits of vehicle-mounted or stationary systems. Echodyne CEO Eben Frankenberg said the integration is intended to provide the PROTECTOR family with persistent tracks for fire-control cueing and target lock. He also cited the radar’s compact, software-defined configuration as relevant to use across the existing PROTECTOR platform base. Airburst and Networked EngagementsThe companies identified programmable airburst munitions as one application for the radar data. Accurate range and range-rate measurements can support calculation of the point at which a munition should function along a target’s flight path. In a networked configuration, a cooperative search radar or another sensor can pass an initial threat track to a radar-equipped remote weapon station. The local MESA radar can then refine and maintain that track for fire-control use. This search-cue-track-engage process is designed to allow distributed systems to share an air picture, allocate targets and retarget as engagements are completed. The release did not identify specific munitions, engagement ranges or performance figures for the integrated systems. Multi-Year Integration and TestingEchodyne and KONGSBERG said they have conducted several years of integration, testing and demonstrations involving the radar-enabled configuration. The announcement did not specify test locations, participating military organizations, or whether the system has entered operational service. Beyond the RS4 and RS6 integrations, the companies are evaluating additional uses for the radar across KONGSBERG air and surface mission systems. Planned joint technical work will focus on resilient sensing, networked fire control and protection against changing unmanned-system threats.

Utah Facility Expands B-21 ProductionNorthrop Grumman opened its East Gate 3 manufacturing facility in Layton, Utah, on September 9, 2026, expanding production infrastructure for the U.S. Air Force’s B-21 Raider stealth bomber. Per an Army Recognition report. The East Gate campus will total 845,000 square feet and is intended to support simultaneous low-rate initial production and flight testing. It will manufacture key B-21 components and support up to 1,500 engineering and manufacturing positions by 2032. The expansion increases Northrop Grumman’s combined Layton and Clearfield manufacturing footprint to more than two million square feet. Final assembly of the B-21 will remain at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. Funding and Fleet PlansThe project follows $4.5 billion provided through 2025 reconciliation legislation to increase annual B-21 production capacity by 25%. The fiscal 2027 budget request includes $6.109 billion for the program, including $3.246 billion for procurement. Another $1.006 billion is designated for advance procurement of long-lead airframe, engine, and modernization requirements needed before later aircraft enter final assembly. The Air Force plans to acquire at least 100 B-21s, while senior Air Force and U.S. Strategic Command officials have discussed a requirement of about 145 aircraft. The service lists an average procurement unit cost of $692 million in fiscal 2022 dollars for a minimum 100-aircraft fleet. That figure includes aircraft, support equipment, training, spares, and engineering changes rather than only the aircraft’s flyaway cost. Testing and Operational ScheduleThe first B-21 flew on November 10, 2023, and a second joined the Edwards Air Force Base test campaign on September 11, 2025. Other aircraft are in production or ground testing. Testing was preceded by more than 1,000 flight hours using surrogate aircraft for communications, avionics, navigation, and mission software work. One developmental campaign planned for 180 days was completed in 73 days using roughly half the scheduled missions, while digital development methods reduced software certification time by about 50%. On March 10, 2026, a B-21 completed a 5-hour, 33-minute aerial-refueling sortie, connecting with an Edwards-based NKC-135 at 23,000 feet. The Air Force has not disclosed the amount of fuel transferred, the bomber’s internal fuel capacity, or its hourly consumption. The first operational B-21 is scheduled to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in 2027. Dyess Air Force Base in Texas and Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri are also planned operating locations. Edwards leads flight testing, while Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma is responsible for depot planning. Utah Industrial NetworkLayton focuses on sixth-generation aircraft manufacturing, while nearby Clearfield produces composite structures for the B-21, F-35, Sentinel missile, and Airbus A350. The proximity is intended to shorten the movement of composite structures into downstream component production. Northrop Grumman employs more than 11,000 people in Utah. Its operations involve over 600 suppliers, support more than 46,000 jobs, and generate more than $12.4 billion in statewide economic activity across aircraft, missile, navigation, and propulsion programs. The broader B-21 program includes more than 400 suppliers in at least 40 states and more than 8,000 Air Force and industry personnel. Northrop Grumman says it has invested more than $5 billion in Raider digital technologies and manufacturing infrastructure. Aircraft Role and ArmamentThe nuclear-capable, subsonic B-21 is a smaller flying-wing bomber intended to replace the B-1 and B-2 by 2040 and potentially succeed the B-52 later. It retains a two-person crew and is designed for conventional and nuclear missions. Planned weapons include the AGM-181 Long Range Stand Off nuclear cruise missile, B61-12 and B61-13 nuclear gravity bombs, and conventional weapons such as the JASSM-ER cruise missile. The current U.S. inventory contains 19 B-2 bombers, making the minimum planned B-21 fleet more than five times larger.

Houthis Reportedly Seize Strategic IslandYemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement has reportedly taken control of Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait during a rapid advance along the country’s western coast. The Houthis described the capture as part of a large-scale operation to expel Saudi-backed forces. An unnamed military official from Yemen’s internationally recognized government told AFP that the group had also seized two other islands in the strait and now controlled Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline. “Everything that was under our control on the western coast has fallen,” the official said. Shipping Through Bab al-MandabPerim Island sits in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a major maritime gateway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and shipping routes between Asia and Europe. The Houthis said the strait remains safe for shipping companies other than Saudi vessels. However, their new positions could increase risks around one of the world’s most important trade corridors, particularly if fighting expands or restrictions broaden beyond Saudi-linked traffic. The group has reiterated that it does not intend to threaten international shipping while maintaining that Saudi vessels will be targeted. Potential Impact on Oil MarketsOil prices remained relatively stable immediately after reports of the island’s capture and the blockade of Saudi vessels. Traders have yet to determine how significantly the situation will affect shipments. Saudi Arabia, the world’s second-largest oil producer, has relied more heavily on the Red Sea route since the US and Israel’s war on Iran severely restricted access through the Strait of Hormuz. A broader closure of Bab al-Mandab could therefore place additional pressure on Saudi exports and global energy supplies, potentially raising crude oil and consumer fuel prices. The effect may be more limited if restrictions remain focused only on Saudi-registered vessels. Many large oil tankers are registered elsewhere, which could allow shipments from other producers to continue. Rerouting cargo may also be possible, although alternative arrangements could increase time and costs. Saudi Arabia Seeks US SupportSaudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly asked US President Donald Trump to take military action against the Houthis following their advance. The two leaders have spoken several times in recent days, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Trump declined to commit US forces, but Washington offered intelligence and targeting support to Saudi Arabia. Talks between the two countries remain ongoing, and Saudi officials are reportedly seeking a coalition with the US amid concerns that military action against the Houthis could prompt an Iranian response. US Position on the EscalationA senior US administration official did not address the reported request for military action directly, but said Washington was focused on protecting core national security interests, including freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The official added that the US intends to empower regional partners to take the lead in managing security challenges and remains in continuous discussions with Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s internationally recognized government. For now, the US is not preparing to intervene directly, while the Houthis’ territorial gains have increased pressure on Saudi-backed forces and uncertainty around Red Sea shipping.

Factory-equipped Bodyguard 2.0 arrives at $599Smith & Wesson is shipping the .380 Auto Bodyguard 2.0 with a factory-installed Viridian RFX1 green-dot reflex sight. The optic is dovetail-mounted and zeroed, eliminating the need for separate installation or adapter plates. The package has a $599 MSRP and is offered in three configurations: a model with a thumb safety, a no-thumb-safety version, and a compliant model limited to 10-round magazines. Availability remains subject to federal, state, and local laws. For comparison, the standard Bodyguard 2.0 NTS has a $449 MSRP, while the separately sold RFX1 for the pistol is priced at $229. Carry dimensions and configurationsThe striker-fired Bodyguard 2.0 measures 5.5 inches long, 0.88 inch wide, and 4.8 inches high, with a listed weight of 12 ounces. Its stainless steel barrel is 2.75 inches long with a 1:10-inch twist and an Armornite finish. The stainless steel slide also uses an Armornite finish, while the frame and grip are polymer. Standard-capacity versions support 10- and 12-round magazines and ship with one of each. The compliant configuration is restricted to 10 rounds. The no-thumb-safety model is identified as SKU 14786 and lists Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, and Vermont under state compliance. Other controls include a flat-face trigger, an 18-degree grip angle, and a reversible ambidextrous magazine release. The pistol does not have a threaded barrel or integrated laser. Viridian RFX1 opticThe RFX1 uses a 3 MOA green dot and a 16-by-15 mm objective lens. It provides unlimited eye relief, automatic brightness adjustment, and Viridian’s INSTANT-ON activation system. Power comes from a CR1632 battery, with a listed battery life of up to 30,000 hours. The optic measures 1.63 inches long, 0.81 inch wide, and 1.02 inches high. Its housing is machined from 6061 aluminum, and it carries an IPX4 water-resistance rating. The design is also described as shockproof. Viridian developed this version of the RFX1 around the Bodyguard 2.0’s slide geometry. It incorporates slide serrations and a tapered dovetail intended to limit lateral movement while keeping the optic aligned with the pistol’s narrow profile. Sights, handling and intended useThe factory-mounted optic provides an alternative to relying solely on the micro pistol’s iron sights, particularly for shooters seeking a clearer aiming reference. Its automatic brightness system adjusts dot visibility for changing ambient light without manual controls. The package retains the Bodyguard 2.0’s compact dimensions and 12-ounce listed weight while adding the green-dot system at the factory. Smith & Wesson positions the three versions to address differing preferences on manual safeties and magazine-capacity restrictions. Included equipment and serviceEach standard-capacity pistol ships with one 10-round magazine, one 12-round magazine, and tools for the optic. The compliant model’s magazine package is not detailed beyond its 10-round capacity restriction. The Bodyguard 2.0 series is covered by Smith & Wesson’s lifetime service policy.

GA-ASI Unveils Wildfire Uncrewed AircraftGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) unveiled Wildfire, a medium-altitude, long-endurance uncrewed aircraft intended for military, civil, and commercial missions. The company described the clean-sheet design as a lower-cost, attrition-tolerant platform that can be produced and deployed in greater numbers than its existing large UAS. Wildfire is focused primarily on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, strike and related missions. GA-ASI said the aircraft also could support non-combat applications, including heavy cargo delivery, using its payload capacity and reinforced hardpoints. Air Force Competition and Delivery TimelineGA-ASI has proposed Wildfire for the U.S. Air Force’s Massed Modular Aircraft competition, managed through the Defense Innovation Unit. The program is seeking an alternative to the MQ-9A Reaper. According to GA-ASI, Wildfire meets or exceeds the competition’s stated requirements and could be delivered several years before the fiscal 2031 timeline identified by DIU. The company also said its existing production facilities and supplier network would allow it to manufacture more than twice as many aircraft within the same period. The release did not provide unit cost figures, production quantities or a date for an initial flight. Range, Payload and Mission SystemsGA-ASI lists Wildfire with a ferry range exceeding 8,000 nautical miles. The aircraft is designed to carry two Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles simultaneously over what the company described as operationally meaningful distances. Another disclosed configuration carries four Joint Strike Missiles. Other payload options include munitions, launched effects, sensors and mission-specific equipment. The aircraft will incorporate multispectral targeting sensors and is designed to accommodate long-range precision-strike weapons. Detailed information on endurance, payload weight, dimensions, speed and propulsion was not included in the announcement. GA-ASI positioned Wildfire in the same general medium-altitude, long-endurance class as the MQ-9A, while stating that the new aircraft will offer greater payload capacity and range at a lower cost. Autonomy and Collaborative OperationsWildfire will use mission-autonomy technology derived from GA-ASI’s FQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft work. Rather than relying on a conventional ground control station, human personnel are expected to operate the aircraft through U.S. government-provided autonomy software. The intended control architecture is designed to let individual operators manage multiple aircraft and support networked operation of dozens of Wildfires. GA-ASI said the platform will also employ proliferated low-Earth-orbit satellite communications technology already demonstrated aboard other company aircraft. Design and Intended RoleThe aircraft combines selected features from GA-ASI’s existing UAS with lower-cost components and a modular architecture. The company said it deliberately limited the platform to a narrower group of missions than the MQ-9B, which is configured for roles including anti-submarine warfare, counter-UAS operations and airborne early warning. GA-ASI President David R. Alexander characterized Wildfire as a high-volume aircraft intended to perform a smaller number of core missions. For defense users, the design is meant to permit deployment in kinetic environments where commanders may accept greater risk to individual aircraft. GA-ASI said the design draws on experience from more than 1,600 uncrewed aircraft delivered across the Predator, Reaper, SkyGuardian, Avenger, and Collaborative Combat Aircraft families.

Availability and PriceShield Arms has released the S20, a 20-round 9mm magazine for Glock 43X and Glock 48 Slimline pistols. It is available now at a price of $44.99. The S20 is intended primarily as a higher-capacity spare magazine. Its steel body extends below the pistol’s grip and is not flush-fitting like the company’s 15-round S15 magazine. No baseplate extension is required to reach the stated 20-round capacity. Design and CapacityThe S20 uses the same patented staggered-feed geometry as the S15 but lengthens the magazine body to accommodate five additional cartridges. Unlike an S15 fitted with a separate +5 aluminum extension, the S20 uses a continuous, one-piece steel body. Integrated over-insertion tabs are stamped into the magazine body. These tabs are designed to prevent the magazine from being seated too deeply during rapid or forceful reloads, helping maintain feed-lip alignment. The magazine is formed from steel and treated with a black QPQ nitrocarburizing finish for hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion protection. Shield Arms says it is manufactured in the United States to the same standards as the S-Series lineup. Compatibility RequirementsThe S20 is compatible only with 9mm Glock 43X and Glock 48 pistols. It does not fit the Glock 43 or Glock 42, which use shorter frames, and it is not designed for full-size or compact double-stack Glock models. Use requires a Shield Arms S-Series steel magazine catch. The S20 is not compatible with the factory polymer magazine catch. Shield Arms also advises against using its steel catch with Glock’s factory plastic magazines, recommending steel magazines with steel catches and plastic magazines with plastic catches. Owners using a first-generation Shield Arms aluminum magazine catch should confirm compatibility before installing the S20. Pistols already configured with the required steel catch need no gunsmithing or fitting to use the new magazine. Intended RoleBecause the S20 protrudes below the grip, Shield Arms positions it as a backup, range, competition, or home-defense magazine rather than a flush-fit concealed-carry option. Existing S15 users can carry the 15-round magazine in the pistol and use the S20 as a higher-capacity spare. The S20 may be particularly relevant to Glock 43X and 48 owners already committed to the Shield Arms magazine system, since switching between the S15 and S20 does not require another magazine-catch change. Glock has also introduced its own 15-round magazines, but the S20 is specifically designed around the Shield Arms steel-catch system. Specifications and SupportThe S20 holds 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition and uses a steel body with a black nitride QPQ finish. Its over-insertion protection is built directly into the body rather than added through a separate component. Shield Arms covers the magazine with a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. It also includes the company’s “Spring for Life” guarantee, under which a worn magazine spring can be replaced without charge for the life of the product.

Navy Selects VAMPIRE for Littoral DefenseThe U.S. Navy has selected L3Harris Technologies to deliver VAMPIRE counter-unmanned systems for its integrated C-UxS defense architecture, the company announced Sept. 8, 2026. The system is intended to counter unmanned aerial systems, remotely piloted platforms and potentially other small threats in littoral environments. L3Harris is ruggedizing the Navy configuration against maritime stresses including humidity, salt exposure and vibration. The company has not disclosed the number of systems ordered, contract value, delivery schedule, or exact configuration. “VAMPIRE is a flexible and effective system that meets the unique requirements of the U.S. Navy for littoral C-UxS defense,” said Tony Calderon, president of Targeting & Sensor Systems at L3Harris. Maritime Roles and VariantsVAMPIRE has developed into a family of modular systems combining sensors, precision weapons, electronic jammers and other effectors. Its maritime-focused Black Wake variant is designed for installation on crewed or uncrewed vessels and for lower-cost engagements against small drones and fast attack craft. L3Harris has not confirmed that Black Wake is the version selected by the Navy. The announced system could be deployed as part of a wider detection and command network to protect forces, bases, logistics sites or other infrastructure near the coast. Other VAMPIRE configurations include the land-based Stalker XR, airborne Dead Wing, containerized CASKET, BAT system for base protection, and Killcode electronic-warfare variant. Sensors and System ArchitectureThe baseline VAMPIRE uses a self-contained, palletized design that can be fitted to different vehicles or platforms. According to L3Harris, two personnel can install the system in a vehicle cargo bed in about two hours using standard tools. Its primary sensor is the stabilized WESCAM MX-10D RSTA electro-optical and infrared turret, mounted on a telescopic mast. The sensor supports surveillance, identification, and laser target designation. VAMPIRE also connects to the Widow Mission Management System, which is compliant with the Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control architecture. Widow integrates sensors, effectors, radios, and navigation functions, allowing individual launchers to operate within a broader counter-unmanned network. Weapons and Engagement RangeFor kinetic engagements, VAMPIRE can use the 70 mm AGR-20A Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System laser-guided rocket. A proximity fuze improves its effectiveness against small aerial targets by allowing an engagement without a direct impact. Company documentation lists an engagement range of up to approximately six kilometers for the current configuration. The launcher can also accommodate other laser-guided munitions, depending on the selected configuration, host platform, and target. The system is intended to provide an intermediate defensive layer between electronic warfare, automatic weapons and more expensive surface-to-air missiles. This gives naval forces another option for responding to repeated or numerous unmanned threats without relying exclusively on higher-cost interceptors. Related Orders and Operational UseThe Navy selection follows a separate U.S. Army VAMPIRE order announced in June 2026 and valued at up to $106 million. L3Harris reports that VAMPIRE systems have accumulated more than 350,000 operational hours in Europe since 2023. The company has also introduced Wraith Shield software, which uses radios as sensors to help defeat small drones. L3Harris says the software can be integrated with VAMPIRE and Drone Guardian systems as part of a layered defense against unmanned threats.

Ukrainian General Staff Reports 1.5 Million Russian Troop LossesRussia has lost an estimated 1,500,870 troops since beginning its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, according to a Sept. 9 report from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The total includes 1,480 Russian casualties recorded over the preceding day. Russia has not officially released comprehensive casualty figures or a casualty list. Equipment LossesThe Ukrainian General Staff also reported that Russia has lost 12,338 tanks and 25,290 armored combat vehicles since the invasion began. Its figures include 146,008 vehicles and fuel tanks, 49,383 artillery systems, 2,105 multiple-launch rocket systems and 1,613 air-defense systems. Reported aviation losses comprise 441 aircraft and 355 helicopters. The General Staff also listed 506,188 aerial drones, 2,534 unmanned ground systems and 5,103 cruise missiles. At sea, Ukraine’s military estimates that Russia has lost 35 ships and boats, along with two submarines. Estimates of Ukrainian CasualtiesA January 2026 report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that Ukraine likely suffered between 500,000 and 600,000 casualties from February 2022 through December 2025. The report estimated that between 100,000 and 140,000 Ukrainian troops were killed in action during that period. Ukrainian officials rarely disclose military casualty totals. President Volodymyr Zelensky told France TV on Feb. 4 that at least 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in action since the start of the full-scale war. He added that many more service members remained missing in action. Difficulties Confirming the TollThe intensity of combat and Russian drone attacks has made it difficult for Ukraine to recover the bodies of fallen soldiers. Recovery is required before DNA testing can be used to confirm identities, complicating efforts to establish a complete count of those killed or missing. The available Russian and Ukrainian figures come from differing official statements and estimates, with Moscow providing no comprehensive public accounting of its losses.