Can NATO’s CUAS marketplace turn urgent demand into deliveries?
Framework contracts and leasing options aim to shorten acquisition timelines, while manufacturing partnerships could help suppliers scale production to meet allied demand.
The US Army has awarded Chemring Ordnance a contract modification for its Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System (APOBS). The $15.4 million modification brings the total contract value to over $125 million.
APOBS provides soldiers the capability to safely clear a footpath through anti-personnel mines and multi-strand wire obstacles with a one-shot, expendable linear demolition charge. The self-contained system can be transported and deployed by a two-person team.
Michael Quesenberry, president, Chemring Ordnance, said: ‘We are delighted in the US Army customer’s continued confidence in Chemring to provide protection for their soldiers and marines.’
Framework contracts and leasing options aim to shorten acquisition timelines, while manufacturing partnerships could help suppliers scale production to meet allied demand.
The US is pursuing multiple UGV programmes, from commercial robotic platforms to new autonomy technologies. The combination of these efforts could prove key to turning ambition into operational capability.
NATO is looking to artificial intelligence to provide integration between different C2 systems to create a common operational picture, potentially offering a faster route to interoperability than the slow-moving processes of NATO standards committees.
The large-scale exercise in Latvia was the culmination of three experimentation initiatives to see how platforms, weapons and systems could fit into the alliance’s Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative. As well as forces, it brought together companies and equipment.
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.