By Adolphina Vander Velde, Program Executive Officer Land Systems

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — In September, the Marine Corps unveiled the first full-rate production version of the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), marking a major milestone in expeditionary air defense and rapid capability delivery. Following weeks of intensive new equipment training and a live-fire exercise at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Marines are now equipped with a significantly upgraded system designed to counter the evolving threat of unmanned aerial systems and low-altitude air attacks. 
 
The MADIS relies on a complementary pair of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles that form a maneuverable Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) weapon system. It is designed to defeat UAS and manned aircraft while on the move or at the halt, providing an organic, expeditionary, and fully integrated Short-Range Air Defense capability. This fielding represents a deliberate and accelerated approach to capability delivery—one that prioritizes readiness, responsiveness and relevance to the modern battlefield. 
 
The MADIS has undergone substantial upgrades since its prototype phase. The full-rate production variant integrates advanced sensors, improved targeting algorithms, and enhanced mobility features that allow Marines to detect, track, and neutralize aerial threats faster and more effectively than ever before. 
 
The system’s modular design allows for future upgrades, ensuring MADIS remains adaptable as the threat evolves. Its integration with expeditionary platforms means it can be deployed rapidly, providing organic air defense to maneuver units without relying on external support. 
“Having supported the GBAD community for the last 22 years, from the schoolhouse to the program office, it’s clear that MADIS brings a critical new capability to the warfighter,” said Master Sgt. Brandon Meadors. “Marines have always said, ‘Anytime, anyplace,’ and this system helps us get there. It provides a state-of-the-art, mobile defense that directly supports our forces in the field.” 
 
During their time at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Marines participated in classroom instruction and field exercises designed to familiarize themselves with the MADIS’s architecture, capabilities, and tactical employment. The NET phase emphasized hands-on learning, with Marines engaging directly with the system’s radar, electro-optical/infrared sensor, and weapon platforms. 
 
The training culminated in a full-day, live-fire event, where Marines executed simulated engagements against aerial targets. The exercise validated the system’s performance and demonstrated the readiness of its operators. 
 
“I would tell other Marines training on this system to be open and be creative,” said 1st Lt. Michael Rushane. “This is the future of the Marine Corps and the future of GBAD as a whole. The ideas you come up with for how to employ this system, whether you’re a PFC or a General, will pay dividends in the success of this system moving forward,” Rushane added. 
 
With the successful completion of the NET and live-fire validation, the Marine Corps has taken a critical step in modernizing its air defense capabilities. This training represents a deliberate and accelerated approach to capability delivery—one that prioritizes readiness, responsiveness, and relevance. 

Release From SEA

SEA has been awarded a multi-million-pound contract to supply its advanced KraitArray undersea sensing technology to Liquid Robotics, a Boeing Company, for integration into the company’s Wave Glider uncrewed surface vehicle (USV). The agreement will see SEA provide 22 KraitArrays to support uncrewed autonomous maritime surveillance and undersea detection capabilities. 

Building on more than a decade of collaboration between SEA and Liquid Robotics, the project marks an important milestone in the global scaling of anti-submarine warfare (ASW), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and maritime domain awareness (MDA) payloads for uncrewed platforms, with both companies able to innovate with agility and deliver at scale. 

Richard Flitton, Managing Director of SEA said, “As global navies respond to rapidly expanding subsurface and autonomous threats, platforms like the Wave Glider equipped with KraitArray technology will offer a proven, highly scalable solution for persistent littoral surveillance. Our longstanding partnership with Liquid Robotics has been fundamental in shaping a capability that is ready to meet operational demands now and into the future.” 

Renowned for its exceptionally low size, weight, and power (SWaP) and drag characteristics, the KraitArray delivers high-end passive acoustic detection performance in a compact, modular form, purpose-built for uncrewed platforms such as the Wave Glider. KraitArray technology has been continuously developed and refined over 15 years, with the latest variant released four years ago to meet the specific demands of long-endurance autonomous systems. The continuous investment in product innovation, facilities and manufacturing capacity keeps KraitArray technology at the forefront to meet growing market demand.  

Paulie McCartan, Head of Undersea Products at SEA said “KraitArray was engineered from the outset to unlock the full potential of agile and uncrewed platforms. This latest contract signals growing global adoption of this technology and reflects confidence in SEA’s ability to deliver a lightweight, high-performance sonar solutions that are cost-effective, flexible, and operationally reliable.” 

Jimmy Board, Head of Business Development at Liquid Robotics said, “Our partnership with SEA is central to enhancing Wave Glider capabilities. KraitArray’s high-performance passive detection allows us to expand autonomous ASW and ISR operations, delivering scalable and reliable undersea sensing solutions for the next generation of uncrewed maritime missions.” 

With more than 50 systems already deployed across the UK, Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia, KraitArray has rapidly established itself as the preferred choice for uncrewed towed array autonomous undersea sensing and ASW operations across the globe. 

BINGEN, Wash., December 17, 2025 – Insitu, A Boeing Company, in collaboration with Hood Tech, releases the latest capability upgrades for the revolutionary Flying Launch and Recovery System (FLARES) for long-endurance Integrator UAS. These updates further enhance the resilience of the system to withstand the demands of the harshest environments on long deployments, with greater communications capability, solidifying Insitu’s place as the leader in US uncrewed aerial systems.   

“Our updated, resilient VTOL kit for multi-mission Integrator is a game-changer for customers that need truly expeditionary capability in challenging electronic and climatic environments,” said Diane Rose, Insitu CEO. “This enhanced resilience paired with battle-proven Integrator’s long endurance and multi-intelligence payload capacity enables our customers to fly expanded mission sets with confidence anytime, anywhere, even in the most contested environments.”    

This latest FLARES update introduces a suite of relevant resilience and performance enhancements that elevate the system’s operational effectiveness, safety and reliability in even the most demanding environments, making it ideal for diverse maritime and land-based missions. The updates include:  

• Improved Environmental Resilience: Engineered to withstand challenging climatic and operational conditions, including heavy seas, high winds, adverse weather, and complex terrain.  

• Encrypted GPS Options and Jam-Resistant Datalinks: Enhanced security and communication reliability, ensuring mission success even in contested and denied environments.  

• Updated Navigation Solutions for GNSS-Contested Operations: Optimized flight performance when operating in electronically contested environments, ensuring mission-critical autonomy.  

• Improved Supportability: Rapidly replaceable components such as propellers reduce downtime and simplify in-field maintenance. With redundancies built into its inherently robust design, FLARES remains easy to operate and remarkably durable.  

• Increased Launch Weights: Enables enhanced payload flexibility while maintaining endurance and range.   

“Throughout qualification testing together with Insitu, we find ourselves continuing to fly FLARES in more wind, more precipitation and more deck motion than our competitors,” said Hood Tech Mechanical’s Lead Engineer, Cory Roeseler, “We have the test range to ourselves in adverse weather, and we’re pleased to see opportunities arise as customers gravitate towards our safe, robust and very capable system”.  

FLARES enables operators to launch and recover Integrator in confined areas as small as a 10×10 meter footprint without sacrificing endurance (up to 27.5 hours), range (up to 2,000 nmi, point-to-point), or payload capacity (up to 50 lbs across 10 bays).   

Integrator is also equipped with multiple SATCOM BLOS control options, including support for Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) SATCOM, allowing for remote-split operations and missions conducted at unprecedented distances with ease.  

FLARES is available for current and future Integrator customers with no aircraft modifications required. Setup remains quick and easy, enabling rapid packing, deployment, and transport down range in challenging environments.   

When paired with Insitu’s modular Common Ground Control System and INEXA Control, FLARES delivers a truly expeditionary VTOL Group 3 UAS capability, enabling operations in contested electronic environments and harsh climates around the world.  

Integrator VTOL continues to be optimized for both maritime and land applications, delivering dependable performance in extreme conditions. This system provides versatile solutions to meet multi-domain intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) needs for government and commercial operators worldwide.  

With the release of these FLARES upgrades, Insitu and Hood Tech build on their combined mission to provide cutting-edge unmanned systems that meet the multi-intelligence, multi-domain, long-endurance demands of modern operations.  

By Team Submarine Public Affairs, Dec. 15, 2025 

GROTON, Conn. – The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the Submarine Force’s newest fast attack submarine, the future USS Idaho (SSN 799), from General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) Dec. 15, marking the second delivery of a Virginia-class fast attack submarine this year. 

The delivery represents the official transfer of the submarine from the shipbuilder to the Navy. The submarine and crew will continue to undergo a series of tests and trials before being commissioned into active service, which is expected to take place in the spring.   

“Idaho represents the hard work and tenacity of shipbuilders, industry partners and Navy personnel to deliver the best undersea warfighting platform to the fleet,” said Capt. Mike Hollenbach, Virginia-class submarine program manager. “With each delivery, the Navy reinforces our Nation’s superiority in the maritime domain.” 

Idaho is the 26th Virginia-class submarine co-produced by GDEB and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding through a long-standing teaming arrangement. It is the 14th delivered by GDEB and is the eighth of 10 Block IV configured attack submarines.     

When it joins the fleet, Idaho will bring significant warfighting capability to the fleet, underscoring the Nation’s asymmetrical advantage at sea. Virginia-class fast-attack submarines have enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that enable them to meet the Navy’s multi-mission requirements.   

The future USS Idaho is the fifth Navy ship to be named for the state of Idaho. The first was a wooden-hulled storeship commissioned in 1866. The last was battleship BB 42, which was commissioned in 1919 and received seven battle stars for service in World War II.  

The delivery of USS Idaho symbolizes the Navy’s 250-year commitment to innovation and maritime dominance. From seabed to space, the Navy delivers power for peace – always ready to fight and win. This milestone marks the Navy’s enduring legacy and commitment to shaping the future of maritime power. 

From Rite-Solutions 

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (December 12, 2025)—Rite-Solutions was awarded the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) contract on December 5th. 

The 10-year, $151 billion MDA SHIELD contract is a multiple-award, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract aimed at developing an advanced, multi-domain defense system capable of detecting, tracking, intercepting, and neutralizing threats to the United States and its forces across the air, missile, space, cyber, and hybrid domains. 

“This marks the first time Rite-Solutions was awarded a contract with the Missile Defense Agency,” says Laurie Carter, Executive Vice President of Business Development. “We are excited to expand the agencies we serve and are thrilled to be a part of the reputable pool of SHIELD awardees.” 

Rite-Solutions will support MDA’s goal of improving the speed and agility with which innovative capabilities are rapidly delivered to the warfighter. The scope of work encompasses four primary work areas (Research & Development, Engineering & Production, Operations & Support, and Analysis & IT Services) and includes early science, disruptive technology, production, sustainment, modernization, and facilities work. 

“This new vehicle allows us to develop systems that help the MDA counter ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile threats,” adds Rite-Solutions CEO and Co-Founder, Joe Marino. “It’s a perfect opportunity to apply our innovative capabilities in areas such as AI, digital and model-based systems engineering, agile processes, and open systems architecture.” 

From HII 
 

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Dec. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has reached a significant construction milestone for Virginia-class submarine Oklahoma (SSN 802). 

Oklahoma is now “pressure hull complete,” which signifies all of the hull sections have joined to form a single, watertight unit. 

“Achieving pressure hull complete on Oklahoma highlights our commitment to accelerating production and delivering unmatched capability to our Navy customer,” said Jason Ward, NNS vice president of new construction submarine programs. “Our dedicated shipbuilders, Navy teammates and suppliers from across the country, are working hand-in-hand to bring Oklahoma to life.” 

Oklahoma is the 29th Virginia-class fast attack submarine, the first of Block V and the 14th to be delivered by NNS. 

The ship’s sponsor is Mary “Molly” Slavonic, an Oklahoma native. Slavonic has long supported both the state of Oklahoma and the Navy. She worked alongside her husband, former acting Under Secretary of the Navy Greg Slavonic, in building the USS Oklahoma (BB 37) Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to honor the 429 sailors and Marines who died aboard the battleship during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. 

NNS designs and builds nuclear-powered submarines for the U.S. Navy. The advanced capabilities of Virginia-class submarines increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth. 

Herndon, VA, (December 9, 2025) – HawkEye 360, the global leader in signals intelligence data and analytics, today announced that the US Navy has renewed its contract with the company for a fourth consecutive year under the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) initiative. The $98.8 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract extends the U.S. Navy’s access to HawkEye 360’s commercial radio frequency (RF) data and analytics for vessel detection and monitoring over key areas of interest throughout the Pacific. 

“This renewal represents a vote of confidence in the partnership between the U.S. Navy and HawkEye 360 and an investment in future innovative solutions,“ affirms Andy Charles, General Manager for the Department of War, HawkEye 360. “With the pace at which commercial companies can move, especially one so mission-focused as HawkEye 360, this action welcomes a host of technological advancements through IPMDA to drive information sharing and Coalition command and control to the speed of modern warfare.” 

HawkEye 360’s RF signals intelligence supports the Department of Defense’s efforts to identify and characterize vessel behavior, detect illicit maritime activity, and share insights with allied partners to promote regional stability. The company’s data is integrated into operational tools that help users gain a more complete picture of vessel movement and maritime dynamics over vast ocean areas. 

“Our ongoing partnership with the US Navy represents a shared commitment to advancing maritime domain awareness and supporting the missions of our partners across the Indo-Pacific,” said James G. McAden, General Manager, Asia Pacific, HawkEye 360. “We’re proud to be entering our fourth year of collaboration, delivering advanced RF data and analytics that strengthen situational awareness and decision-making for maritime security operations.” 

HawkEye 360’s constellation detects, characterizes, and geolocates RF signals from ships and other emitters worldwide, creating a powerful data layer that complements existing maritime information sources. When combined with other data streams, HawkEye 360’s signals intelligence helps defense and intel users identify potential “dark vessels,” uncover patterns of activity, and build a consistent, shared operating picture across the region. 

From U.S. Coast Guard Southwest District Public Affairs, Dec. 15, 2025 

SAN DIEGO — The crew of USCGC Active (WMEC 618) offloaded approximately 27,551 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated value of $203.9 million, in San Diego, Monday.  

This offload resulted from three separate interdictions of suspected drug-smuggling vessels in international waters off the coasts of Mexico, Central America, and South America. Two of the three interdictions were conducted by Active crew members and one by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro crew members.   

“I could not be prouder of this crew,” said Cmdr. Earl Potter, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Active. “Their determination, resilience, and professionalism make it possible to complete these dynamic and dangerous missions at sea. The conditions are tough, hours are long, and demands are high, but this team always maintains focus. The crew’s commitment to protecting our nation and keeping drugs off our streets is what defines the Active’s legacy.”  

The interdictions were conducted as part of Operation Pacific Viper, a Coast Guard surge effort aimed at disrupting transnational criminal organizations and reducing the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States. These operations play a key role in protecting U.S. communities from the effects of cocaine and synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl.  

“The Coast Guard is escalating the fight against narco-terrorism and trans-national criminal organizations flooding our nation with deadly drugs,” said Rear Adm. Jeffrey Novak, deputy commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area and commander, Coast Guard Southwest District. “By continuing to surge resources to the Eastern Pacific Ocean in coordination with international and interagency partners and allies, our maritime fighting force is making historic strides toward dismantling the smuggling networks that threaten the safety and security of the American people.”    

Active is a 210-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Port Angeles, Washington. Equipped with two small boats, the cutter supports missions across the Eastern Pacific, including search and rescue, counter-narcotics operations, living marine resources, and homeland defense.  

U.S. Special Operations Command is upgrading its Special Operations Forces’ personal diving equipment.

“Technology for the combat diver has advanced significantly and SOF continues to enhance diver capabilities to maintain an agile and lethal combat diving force,” Lieutenant Commander Kassie Collins of USSOCOM said in response to a question from Seapower.

The SOF Combat Diver program (under U.S. Special Operations Command PEO Maritime) consists of maritime environmental protection (free diver heating and cooling, full face masks, and chemical, biological, radiological, and explosive protection), life-support systems (underwater breathing apparatus, treatment systems, and decompression systems), diver navigation (handheld digital navigation and integrated navigation), diver propulsion (collective, hands-free), underwater communication (acoustic, optical, and diver-to-host) and signature management (equipment signature reductions and signature detection), Collins said.

“Early wins for the SOF Combat Diver program include digitizing legacy navigation and equipping energized propulsion devices in lieu of fins. As a result, the program has been able to rapidly accelerate development and fielding of navigation and propulsion devices. The SOF Combat Diver program also continuously evaluates battery technology to ensure safety and maximize endurance. Currently, this program does not have a requirement for drones or AI [artificial intelligence].”

Because many USSOCOM programs are generally classified, USSOCOM didn’t provide equipment specifics to the categories.

For Diver Propulsion, a search of SAM.gov., the official U.S. federal government contracting website did provide some details. In the summer of 2025, the Naval Special Warfare Center was looking into acquiring the Patriot3 Brand Jetboots V6 Diver Propulsion Device, essentially a low-noise, low-weight brushless motor ducted thruster propeller strapped to a diver’s thighs. The hands-free Jetboots provide 40 pounds of thrust and increase a special operations diver speed by around four knots at a depth of 300 feet and a range of a dozen miles on two batteries, or one to six hours of battery life.

TheWarZone website reported U.S. Navy SEALs having Jetboots since July 2020, but Jetboots was conceptualized and patented in 2013, so USSOCOM could be seeking supply support and maintenance in addition to new Jetboot replacements. A $10 million dollar contract was awarded to Patriot3 Inc. that runs through 2027.

For Diver Navigation, USSOCOM is working with Safety and Security International (SSI) regarding its Tactical Diver Readiness Assembly. This increases special operations divers’ situational awareness and rapid deployment in maritime and expeditionary environments by combining the functions and features of a mission critical multi-function dive watch with a modular load carriage and safety components to provide advanced underwater navigation instrumentation and real-time dive diagnostics in MOLLE-compatible pouches.

The navigation devices can be made digitalized, smaller and lighter, while still incorporating GPS features, real-time diving diagnostics, and advanced underwater navigation instruments.

Further investigation into SAM.gov. yields a request for information on underwater communications technologies that are not radio frequency based, as well as for power sources focused on power-harvesting technologies instead of batteries or connected power sources. The current status of USSOCOM’s underwater communications technologies and novel power sources is unknown.

The 2019 USSOCOM RFI also seeks improvements in human performance in harsh maritime conditions for extended operating periods “with or without personal protective equipment,” to:

• Reduce the potential of musculoskeletal injuries related to combat diving
• Improve combat diving-related physical performance capabilities
• Enable continuous physiologic monitoring of diver biometrics in sea water at depths greater than 90 feet for periods of up to or greater than 72 hours
• Provide a variety of nutrition and hydration products for consumption while underway
• Manage bodily functions while underway
• Provide force resistance equipment for confined environments
• Reduce cognitive deficits related to prolonged undersea exposure
• Provide active heating/cooling protection in the water column.

Release from Northrop Grumman

In just 45 days, Northrop Grumman paired the AN/AQS-24 minehunting system with an unmanned surface vehicle 

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Dec. 15, 2025 – (PHOTO RELEASE) Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully demonstrated the integration of its proven AN/AQS-24 minehunting system with a Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MCM USV), addressing the U.S. Navy’s growing need for an uncrewed, towed MCM solution. Just 45 days after signing a contract with the Navy, Northrop Grumman began open-water testing in Panama City to demonstrate the high-performing, helicopter-towed AN/AQS-24 can effectively pair with a MCM USV. The U.S. Navy confirmed that the AN/AQS-24 meets all primary government objectives for a safer and more efficient mine-hunting capability.