Canada accelerates uncrewed aerial system procurement for NATO and Arctic forces
Canada plans to acquire at least 120 uncrewed aerial systems through two competitions with combined funding ceilings of C$32 million.
Textron Systems has delivered the initial Next Generation Squad Weapon-Technology (NGSW-T) prototype demonstrator to the US Army, the company announced on 25 March.
The demonstrator has been delivered to the army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center and Joint Services Small Arms Program.
The automatic rifle prototype is based on the company’s cased-telescoped (CT) weapons and ammunition technology, which increases lethality at longer ranges and reduces total system weight. It is the first of five weapon demonstrators that Textron Systems will deliver for the programme.
Technologies demonstrated under the NGSW-T effort will inform the army’s formal NGSW programme and include weapon and ammunition weight reduction, weapon sound suppression, as well as fire control integration technology.
Wayne Prender, senior vice president, applied technology and advanced programs at Textron Systems, said: ‘Moving from contract award to delivery of a revolutionary, next-generation weapon in just 15 months not only demonstrates the maturity of our CT technology, but also the project execution excellence our team possesses to rapidly fill critical warfighter needs on schedule.’
Canada plans to acquire at least 120 uncrewed aerial systems through two competitions with combined funding ceilings of C$32 million.
New counter-drone technologies, autonomous launchers and manufacturing modernisation initiatives highlighted emerging opportunities for defence suppliers, while the UK advanced a major military vehicle procurement programme.
Non-US companies are increasingly looking to establish subsidiary and partnerships to access the potential billions of dollars of vehicle and land systems contracts and there has already been some success.
Pearson Engineering has provided equipment and engineering expertise to the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. The British company is now working to deepen engagement with the Ukrainian defence industry, expanding its support for the country’s population and laying the foundations for future technological innovation.
Rather than developing entirely new weapons, defence companies are looking to build on existing weapons and systems to deliver greater capability, control costs and accelerate fielding.
With a production rate of more than 10 million vehicles annually, the US commercial car and vehicle manufacturing base is second only to China. Defence companies are looking at how the vehicles, technology and manufacturing capability can support programmes.