Teledyne to build zombie targets
Teledyne’s subsidiary Teledyne Brown Engineering has received a $79.6 million task order from the US Army to design and build flexible target missiles for test and evaluation purposes, the company announced on 15 June.
The contract will see company develop realistic-threat ballistic target missiles, known as zombie targets, for use in testing advance missile defence systems. Zombie targets are manufactured or recreated in part from dead legacy government-owned components that have reached the end of their useful life or may be subject to demilitarisation. In this way they provide a low-cost solution with threat-representative capabilities necessary to test the effectiveness of missile defence assets.
Jan Hess, president of Teledyne Brown Engineering, said: ‘A great deal of our company’s legacy is built upon leading and supporting missile defence programmes, including target and countermeasures development, and the test and evaluation of complex systems. Given current and emerging threats to global security, we are proud to provide these systems that will help support the defence of our nation and our allies.’
More from Land Warfare
-
Germany increases Arrow missile defence deal to $6.1 billion as American interest grows
Germany’s move to buy Israel Aerospace Industries’ Arrow missile defence system became public in mid-2023 with approval from the US government shortly after. The first operational system is expected to be in service before 2030.
-
Sweden’s recent air defence spend tips to $6 billion with 2026 procurement planned
Procurement of various short-range systems will begin in the first quarter of 2026, with additional procurements to be made later in the year.
-
Serbia looks to balance lighter platforms and heavier calibres
Even small tactical vehicles can benefit from more powerful offensive and defensive armament, but as recent developments at Yugoimport demonstrate, there are still limitations to the sophistication of what can be fielded.
-
Next-generation gun set to boost US Army combat vehicle capabilities
The 50mm main weapon on the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle currently being competed for by industry will offer a step-change in firepower and targeting over the in-service M2 Bradley.
-
The year ahead: Major trends and forecasts for the land domain in 2026
2025 was a busy year for the land domain and 2026 looks set to be just as big. Shephard’s Dr Peter Magill analyses some of the major trends we are likely to see in the year ahead.