A version of this article first appeared a few weeks ago in Issue 38 of our weekly Soldier Systems Digest newsletter. It was prompted by a vendor demonstrating their candidate carbine leading many to believe the program had already selected a carbine. That is not true. The article has been slightly modified from the original to clarify some points. This is a link to the article we posted after the program was announced in June. It details the requirements. We’ve learned a lot since then. What HICAR is… A USSOCOM effort to field a new Stoner-pattern carbine capable of firing the high pressure, 5.56mm cartridge known as M855A1+. The cartridge has been under development with Federal on behalf of Picatonny Arsenal for several years and referred to as “5.56 Max.” The cartridge uses Federal’s Peak alloy case technology to deliver chamber pressures in excess of 80,000 psi. This was originally developed for the 7mm Backcountry cartridge. What HICAR is NOT… It is not an Army program. It is not going to replace the 900,000+ M4 carbines currently in Army service. The Army currently has no plans to adopt M855A1+ ammunition. However, they have paid for its development and are monitoring…
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MoreA ceasefire to the Iran War entered its 32nd day Saturday as the U.S. awaits an Iranian response to the latest American proposal, amid heightened tensions following U.S. and Iranian strikes in the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters in recent days. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was reported by…
The U.S. on Friday slapped sanctions on three Chinese satellite companies for allegedly providing imagery to Iran that helped it target American troops in the region. “Today’s action holds China-based entities accountable for their support to Iran,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement. The move comes days…
The Labour Party suffered losses in local and regional elections across England and Wales on Thursday while Reform UK, a right-wing populist party led by Nigel Farage, made major gains. Local elections in the United Kingdom are seen as a reflection of the popularity of the ruling party and prime…
Beez Combat Systems FPV Goggle Tactical Headband Strap The FPV Goggle Tactical Headband Strap is engineered for operators who demand reliability when it matters most. Designed from the ground up for tactical drone operations, this headband system eliminates the failure points found in stock goggle straps. The 2″ elastic headband…
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Partnership brings AI/ML-enabled autonomous capabilities to defense platforms, optimized for the Qualcomm® QCS8550 and scalable across Qualcomm’s IoT processor portfolio LOS ANGELES — OKSI and Qualcomm Government Technologies, Inc. (QGOV), a division of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., today announced a collaboration to deploy OKSI’s OMNISCIENCETM autonomy software portfolio on Qualcomm technologies.…
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MoreNIOA Welcomes Sovereign Defence Ambition 7 OCTOBER 2026 NIOA Group Managing Director and CEO Rob Nioa has welcomed NIOA’s selection as a prospective anchor tenant for Western Australia’s proposed defence and advanced-manufacturing hub. Western Australia Premier and Defence Industries Minister Roger Cook and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Industries Amber-Jade Sanderson today…
The Washington Post reported Tuesday that the U.S. withdrew its bombers from the British Fairford air base over the weekend because of concerns about a potential Iranian drone attack. The withdrawal of about a dozen B-1 planes, which was first reported Sunday, followed British authorities announcing that several men had…
DEFCON Advance Development Projects Presents a Capsule Event with Salomon Forces Division DEFCON Advance Development Projects has announced a collaboration with Salomon Forces. We got a preview at this week’s SHOP Show near Fort Bragg. The XA PRO MID GTX DEFCON features MultiCam Black and several DEFCON design cues. We…
Rheinmetall, as a global integrated technology group with specialist air defence capabilities, has partnered with Australian company Praetorian Aeronautics to deliver AERIE; Autonomous-Engagement-Rapid-Interceptor-Effector – a containerised Counter-Uncrewed Aircraft System (C-UAS). The Australian collaborative research and development partnership has delivered a prototype from concept within 12 months and signals Rheinmetall’s and…
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Galvion, a global leader in the design and manufacture of intelligent power and data management solutions, innovative head systems and integrated soldier systems, today announced the launch of its new Nerv Centr® SoloPack™ Arctic, an extreme-cold rechargeable battery designed to deliver reliable soldier power in Arctic operating environments. SoloPack Arctic…
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Colt Delivers M4A1 Rifles to Guatemala Through Foreign Military Sales Program West Hartford, CT — October 6, 2026 — Colt is proud to support the Government of Guatemala’s Foreign Military Sales(FMS) program with the historic acquisition of more than 2,000 M4A1 rifles. In announcing the initial delivery, the Guatemalan Army…
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