How laser weapons could transform the economics of European air defence (Podcast)
Former UK Defence Secretary Lord John Hutton examines how drones, missiles, laser weapons and procurement pressures are reshaping European air defence.
American Rheinmetall’s Muskox is in the running for the US Army’s Project Sustainment. (Photo: author)
Several large uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) developed from crewed vehicles are on display at AUSA 2026 in Washington, DC, indicating that industry believes there is a potential market despite the limited number of concrete opportunities.
AM General is showing a High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee) UGV, while GM Defense has a Silverado UGV on display. There are also two samples of Oshkosh uncrewed trucks, along with a Polaris RZR and multiple other medium or large UGVs derived from crewed platforms.
The largest opportunity is Project Sustainment, a US Army initiative under the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) to develop a company-level
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Former UK Defence Secretary Lord John Hutton examines how drones, missiles, laser weapons and procurement pressures are reshaping European air defence.
Singapore has confirmed plans to introduce a fully automated howitzer alongside an emerging precision-strike capability whose weapon type and deployment status have not been disclosed.
The Pentagon's push to accelerate counter-drone procurement is opening new opportunities for defence companies as it seeks to bring emerging technologies into operational service more quickly.
Less than two months after winning a contract from the US Army for six prototype K9 mobile howitzers, Hanwha Defense USA has received an order for another three. The company will show a platform at AUSA 2026.
The Association of the US Army’s flagship conference and exhibition takes place in Washington, DC from 12 to 14 October. Shephard takes a look at what might be in store at the 2026 show, with uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems and platforms under the spotlight.
In Conversation… Military communications must adapt to a rapidly evolving battlespace, characterised by decentralised forces and an increasingly contested electromagnetic spectrum. To survive and thrive, it is vital to prioritise resilient systems and networks, Faisal Munir, President – Mission-Critical Communications at L3Harris Technologies, told Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan.