09-04-2025
Defense firms unveil new weapons at Sea-Air-Space naval conference
Some of the world's most influential weapons makers brought their wares to National Harbor, Maryland, this week for the Sea-Air-Space convention.
Some even unveiled new products.
Why it matters: Defense conferences are a bellwether for U.S. strategy and industry plasticity. This one, hosted by Navy League, is no different.
Here's just a sample of what was announced, offered and on display:
Copperhead-100, -500 and the explosive -M variant, torpedo-like unmanned underwater vehicles made by Anduril Industries.
The company's Dive-XL can carry "dozens of Copperhead-100Ms or multiple Copperhead-500Ms," according to an announcement.
Bullseye, a missile reminiscent of Ice Breaker, that will be produced by General Atomics and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
They will be pumped out in Tupelo, Mississippi, according to the companies. Delivery is expected in the backend of this year.
Bofors 40 Mk4, a naval gun capable of firing 300 rounds per minute and taking out aircraft and boats.
It was the first time it made an appearance in the U.S., according to BAE Systems. Colombia bought one in March; the Netherlands and Belgium committed to eight last year.
Leonidas H20, the latest version of Epirus' electronics-frying microwave weapon.
The H20 is meant to counter aerial drones and unmanned surface vessels. It was successfully trialed at the Advanced Naval Technology Exercise-Coastal Trident.
Wombat, a sensor-jammer combo made by BlueHalo using internal research dollars.
The prototype was spurred by the U.S. Navy's persistent elevated sensor needs, chief technology officer Vikram Manikonda told Axios.
An upgraded V-BAT that manufacturer Shield AI said vertically launches and lands unassisted, flies for more than 13 hours and consumes JP-5, a common maritime aviation fuel.
V-BAT is the first-ever shipboard drone used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, as Axios exclusively reported earlier this year.
A combo of Saildrone's Surveyor and Thales Australia's BlueSentry towed array, meant to autonomously hunt submarines and monitor subsea conditions.
