Latest news with #SOFWeek2025
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How are drones changing war? Companies are now pitching new shotguns, rifle kits, and ammo as last-resort drone killers.
Counter-drone systems are a top priority for the US military. Some companies are now pitching rifle ammo and shotguns as tools for taking out uncrewed systems. These are seen as last-ditch efforts in drone defense. With drones of all types emerging as a premier threat on the modern battlefield, counter-drone solutions are hot, from electronic warfare down to the soldier in the trench holding a gun. Shotguns and rifle ammo are being pitched as last lines of defense in a drone fight, as Business Insider saw recently at a trade show. At SOF Week 2025 in Tampa, Florida, Benelli Technologies and Kinard Technologies had some of their counter-UAS systems on display. These included Kinard's BAOWOLF, a large-caliber, single-use munition designed for shooting down first-person-view and one-way attack drones. BAOWOLF attaches to a rifle, or it can be used on its own or as part of another Kinard system, the Autonomous Multi-Purpose Turret. All of BAOWOLF's plastic parts are 3D-printed, which Kinard CEO Dane Pigott told BI helps keep costs low and allows for mass production. The Tungsten shot, according to the product's fact sheet, has the same amount of shot as an entire 8-round shotgun magazine, can be armed and fired in under one second, and has an intended range of 10 to 60 meters. Pigott, a captain in the Army reserve who deployed to Syria and Afghanistan, said that conflicts like the war in Ukraine show the dominance of drones, even amid electronic warfare countermeasures designed to limit their effect. He said having a rifle attachment with a counter-drone capability built in as an added layer of defense is becoming more appealing. "When we started this business, people were like, 'Put something on my rifle? Are you insane?'" Pigott said. Now, he explained, they're recognizing the potential value in a fight with drones. Broadly, Kinard's focus has been on counter-UAS technologies. The company's AMPT system is another example of that effort. AMPT is described as a self-contained system that can be attached to and moved around on vehicles, buildings, and drones as a kinetic option for counter-UAS. It uses artificial intelligence-vision targeting that requires a human-in-the-loop for firing authorization. This weapon is composed of four BAOWOLF munitions. At SOF Week, Benelli Armi, a subsidiary of Beretta Defense Technologies, also had some of its counter-drone systems on display. Benelli's M4 AI Drone Guardian shotgun is designed to be a last-resort option to shoot down drones. The weapon, the company explained, was recently used during a demonstration with international special operations forces in Nevada. The Drone Guardian features an Advanced Impact system for a larger cone in the barrel. It is intended to increase range and precision against aerial targets. The weapon's optimal range is out to 50 meters, but the gun can reach 100 meters. What makes the Drone Guardian useful for counter-UAS, Gabriele de Plano, vice president of product marketing and communication for law enforcement and defense at Beretta, said, is its specialized ammunition, made by Beretta's Norma Precision. The Swedish-based company has developed tungsten shots, Anti-Drone Long Effective Range, for hitting drone targets. De Plano told BI that with counter-UAS being seen as a "layered defense system," with electronic warfare like signal jamming, lasers, and kinetic (physical strike) systems, "if that drone is able to pierce all those layers of defense, ultimately it will get down to the dismounted soldier that has the last ditch of defense." There's no perfect solution, he added. "But it gives them a chance to hit" in that shorter distance. The war in Ukraine has seen both sides using shotguns to shoot down drones. Russia has been giving soldiers specific shotguns, like the VEPR-12 semi-automatic and the MR-155, for targeting drones. These weapons that might have once served another combat purpose are just one element of the counter-drone developments happening at an unbelievable pace in this war. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
How are drones changing war? Companies are now pitching new shotguns, rifle kits, and ammo as last-resort drone killers.
Counter-drone systems are a top priority for the US military. Some companies are now pitching rifle ammo and shotguns as tools for taking out uncrewed systems. These are seen as last-ditch efforts in drone defense. With drones of all types emerging as a premier threat on the modern battlefield, counter-drone solutions are hot, from electronic warfare down to the soldier in the trench holding a gun. Shotguns and rifle ammo are being pitched as last lines of defense in a drone fight, as Business Insider saw recently at a trade show. At SOF Week 2025 in Tampa, Florida, Benelli Technologies and Kinard Technologies had some of their counter-UAS systems on display. These included Kinard's BAOWOLF, a large-caliber, single-use munition designed for shooting down first-person-view and one-way attack drones. BAOWOLF attaches to a rifle, or it can be used on its own or as part of another Kinard system, the Autonomous Multi-Purpose Turret. All of BAOWOLF's plastic parts are 3D-printed, which Kinard CEO Dane Pigott told BI helps keep costs low and allows for mass production. The Tungsten shot, according to the product's fact sheet, has the same amount of shot as an entire 8-round shotgun magazine, can be armed and fired in under one second, and has an intended range of 10 to 60 meters. Thinking about a new way of war Pigott, a captain in the Army reserve who deployed to Syria and Afghanistan, said that conflicts like the war in Ukraine show the dominance of drones, even amid electronic warfare countermeasures designed to limit their effect. He said having a rifle attachment with a counter-drone capability built in as an added layer of defense is becoming more appealing. "When we started this business, people were like, 'Put something on my rifle? Are you insane?'" Pigott said. Now, he explained, they're recognizing the potential value in a fight with drones. Broadly, Kinard's focus has been on counter-UAS technologies. The company's AMPT system is another example of that effort. AMPT is described as a self-contained system that can be attached to and moved around on vehicles, buildings, and drones as a kinetic option for counter-UAS. It uses artificial intelligence-vision targeting that requires a human-in-the-loop for firing authorization. This weapon is composed of four BAOWOLF munitions. At SOF Week, Benelli Armi, a subsidiary of Beretta Defense Technologies, also had some of its counter-drone systems on display. Benelli's M4 AI Drone Guardian shotgun is designed to be a last-resort option to shoot down drones. The weapon, the company explained, was recently used during a demonstration with international special operations forces in Nevada. The Drone Guardian features an Advanced Impact system for a larger cone in the barrel. It is intended to increase range and precision against aerial targets. The weapon's optimal range is out to 50 meters, but the gun can reach 100 meters. What makes the Drone Guardian useful for counter-UAS, Gabriele de Plano, vice president of product marketing and communication for law enforcement and defense at Beretta, said, is its specialized ammunition, made by Beretta's Norma Precision. The Swedish-based company has developed tungsten shots, Anti-Drone Long Effective Range, for hitting drone targets. De Plano told BI that with counter-UAS being seen as a "layered defense system," with electronic warfare like signal jamming, lasers, and kinetic (physical strike) systems, "if that drone is able to pierce all those layers of defense, ultimately it will get down to the dismounted soldier that has the last ditch of defense." There's no perfect solution, he added. "But it gives them a chance to hit" in that shorter distance. The war in Ukraine has seen both sides using shotguns to shoot down drones. Russia has been giving soldiers specific shotguns, like the VEPR-12 semi-automatic and the MR-155, for targeting drones. These weapons that might have once served another combat purpose are just one element of the counter-drone developments happening at an unbelievable pace in this war.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cyberlux Corporation Reports Q1 2025 Results: Strategic Advancements in UAS, Communications, and Global Services
Company reports $5.1 million in revenue, $45 million backlog, product breakthroughs, and expanded partnerships across defense sectors RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., May 15, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cyberlux Corporation (OTC: CYBL), a leader in defense technology, unmanned systems, and integrated military communications, today announced financial results and strategic highlights for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. The company reported $5.1 million in revenue, a robust contract backlog of $45 million, major technical milestones, and continued expansion across its defense-focused operating divisions. "During SOF Week 2025, Cyberlux UAS completed the development of two new Group 1 rotary-wing unmanned aircraft systems, including a heavy-lift platform engineered for the U.S. Special Operations community," said Mark Schmidt, CEO of Cyberlux Corporation. "These advanced drones deliver increased endurance, heavier payload capacity, and optimized performance in dense electronic warfare (EW) environments—precisely the edge capabilities our warfighters require." Product & Partnership Milestones in Q1 2025 Strategic Partnership with TrellisWare Technologies, Inc. – Cyberlux UAS and TrellisWare formed a key integration agreement to embed TrellisWare's low-latency, anti-jam waveform into Cyberlux's newest UAS platforms. This advancement enables First Person View (FPV) operations in contested electromagnetic environments, a critical capability for modern battlefield scenarios. Advanced Autonomy with OKSI – Cyberlux initiated a strategic partnership with Optical Knowledge Systems, Inc. (OKSI) to integrate its OMNISCIENCE™ autonomy suite, enabling autonomous navigation and target acquisition in GPS- and RF-denied environments. Datron Military Communications Expansion – The Datron team launched a new family of MESH/MANET radio systems for high-speed data delivery at the tactical edge. These systems, available in body-worn, base station, and OEM board formats, are built for integration into UAS, ISR sensors, autonomous ground vehicles, and other advanced platforms. GIS Program Growth – The Global Integration Services (GIS) team expanded its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) border security programs to include three additional U.S. allies, bringing the total to seven partner nations in the Middle East and Africa. Funding decisions for these programs are expected in Q4 2025. "Our Q1 performance underscores Cyberlux's rapid advancement across unmanned systems, tactical communications, and global integration," said Schmidt. "With a $45 million backlog and strategic programs ramping, we're entering the second quarter positioned for accelerated growth and major execution milestones." Q1 2025 Financial Highlights Total revenue of $5.1 million, reflecting active contract delivery and operational execution. Operating loss narrowed by $2.5 million, from a $4.2 million loss in Q1 2024 to a $1.7 million loss in Q1 2025, driven by improved margins and cost optimization. $5.7 million in cash and accounts receivable on the balance sheet at quarter-end. Finalized a key drone contract modification, positioning the company for significant revenue acceleration in Q2 and beyond. Total contract backlog reached $45 million, reflecting robust demand Review the latest release here: About Cyberlux Corporation Cyberlux Corporation (OTC: CYBL) is an advanced technology platform delivering disruptive innovation in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), secure communications, and Global Integration Services (GIS). Headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, Cyberlux powers mission-critical capabilities for U.S. and allied defense and government partners worldwide. For more information, visit SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT This Press Release may contain forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "believes," "expects," "potential," "plans," "suggests," "may," "should," "could," "intends," or similar expressions within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's OTC/SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. View source version on Contacts For media inquiries, please contact:Email: ir_cybl@ | Phone: (984) 363-6894 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Cyberlux Corporation Reports Q1 2025 Results: Strategic Advancements in UAS, Communications, and Global Services
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cyberlux Corporation (OTC: CYBL), a leader in defense technology, unmanned systems, and integrated military communications, today announced financial results and strategic highlights for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. The company reported $5.1 million in revenue, a robust contract backlog of $45 million, major technical milestones, and continued expansion across its defense-focused operating divisions. ' During SOF Week 2025, Cyberlux UAS completed the development of two new Group 1 rotary-wing unmanned aircraft systems, including a heavy-lift platform engineered for the U.S. Special Operations community,' said Mark Schmidt, CEO of Cyberlux Corporation. 'These advanced drones deliver increased endurance, heavier payload capacity, and optimized performance in dense electronic warfare (EW) environments—precisely the edge capabilities our warfighters require.' Product & Partnership Milestones in Q1 2025 Strategic Partnership with TrellisWare Technologies, Inc. – Cyberlux UAS and TrellisWare formed a key integration agreement to embed TrellisWare's low-latency, anti-jam waveform into Cyberlux's newest UAS platforms. This advancement enables First Person View (FPV) operations in contested electromagnetic environments, a critical capability for modern battlefield scenarios. Advanced Autonomy with OKSI – Cyberlux initiated a strategic partnership with Optical Knowledge Systems, Inc. (OKSI) to integrate its OMNISCIENCE™ autonomy suite, enabling autonomous navigation and target acquisition in GPS- and RF-denied environments. Datron Military Communications Expansion – The Datron team launched a new family of MESH/MANET radio systems for high-speed data delivery at the tactical edge. These systems, available in body-worn, base station, and OEM board formats, are built for integration into UAS, ISR sensors, autonomous ground vehicles, and other advanced platforms. GIS Program Growth – The Global Integration Services (GIS) team expanded its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) border security programs to include three additional U.S. allies, bringing the total to seven partner nations in the Middle East and Africa. Funding decisions for these programs are expected in Q4 2025. 'Our Q1 performance underscores Cyberlux's rapid advancement across unmanned systems, tactical communications, and global integration,' said Schmidt. 'With a $45 million backlog and strategic programs ramping, we're entering the second quarter positioned for accelerated growth and major execution milestones.' Q1 2025 Financial Highlights Total revenue of $5.1 million, reflecting active contract delivery and operational execution. Operating loss narrowed by $2.5 million, from a $4.2 million loss in Q1 2024 to a $1.7 million loss in Q1 2025, driven by improved margins and cost optimization. $5.7 million in cash and accounts receivable on the balance sheet at quarter-end. Finalized a key drone contract modification, positioning the company for significant revenue acceleration in Q2 and beyond. Total contract backlog reached $45 million, reflecting robust demand Review the latest release here: About Cyberlux Corporation Cyberlux Corporation (OTC: CYBL) is an advanced technology platform delivering disruptive innovation in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), secure communications, and Global Integration Services (GIS). Headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, Cyberlux powers mission-critical capabilities for U.S. and allied defense and government partners worldwide. For more information, visit SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT This Press Release may contain forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as 'believes,' 'expects,' 'potential,' 'plans,' 'suggests,' 'may,' 'should,' 'could,' 'intends,' or similar expressions within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's OTC/SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Check out the Hellhound, a 375-mph 3D-printed turbojet-powered exploding drone competing for a spot in the US Army's arsenal
Cummings Aerospace showed off its Hellhound loitering munition at SOF Week 2025 in Tampa, Florida. The system is mostly 3D-printed, can fly at speeds over 375 mph, and is powered by a turbojet engine. CEO Sheila Cummings told BI said the drone's design and features make it unique compared to others on the market. A couple feet long, rounded, relatively lightweight, and easy to make, this exploding drone can fly fast and attaches to a rucksack. That's the basics of Hellhound, a loitering munition made by Cummings Aerospace based in Huntsville, Alabama. This kind of weapon features characteristics of both missiles and drones, delivering surveillance and strike in a single package. The Hellhoud recently completed flight tests and a few demonstrations before being submitted to a top US Army drone competition. Earlier in the year, it was tested in the Army's Expeditionary Warrior Experiment 2025. Loitering munitions are becoming more prolific and playing a role in conflicts like the war in Ukraine. As a turbojet-powered drone, the Hellhound is unlike many other loitering munitions. The top speed is nearly three times faster than the popular Switchblade made by AeroVironment. Hellhound wrapped up flight tests earlier this year, and the S3 version of it, which Business Insider saw up close at SOF Week 2025 in Tampa, Florida, is in submission for the US Army's Low Altitude Stalking and Striking Ordnance, or LASSO, program. LASSO requires select companies to build 135 munitions and 35 prototypes immediately. It's a new-start program, the goal of which is to give infantry brigades better stand-off weapons capabilities. Cummings Aerospace's CEO Sheila Cummings told BI that much of how her company is thinking about the Hellhound has been with modularity, ease of manufacturing, and warfighter feedback in mind. She also said the system is affordable but wouldn't disclose a specific cost or price range. At first glance, the Hellhound loitering munition, sitting inside its case, looks a bit like a boogie board. Weighing less than 25 pounds, the weapon is fairly lightweight and easy to pick up and carry. There are straps on the bottom that can attach it to a soldier's rucksack, something Cummings said was a key suggestion from soldiers who wanted the system to be as man-portable as possible. The majority of a Hellhound is 3D printed. Cummings estimated that, depending on the number of printers, they could fully print a Hellhound in a few days at least and a week at most. Any part that isn't 3D-printed is commercial off-the-shelf, an increasingly important quality for the weapons and systems that the US military acquires as it speeds up the process. The US military has been pushing for more of its systems, especially the uncrewed weapon systems, to be suitable for production on a large scale, interchangeable capabilities and components, and supply chain flexibility. There's a growing realization that for future wars, inexpensive, easily made weapons will be needed in mass in a protracted, large-scale conflict against a major rival like China. A key development of the Ukraine war has been how Ukraine has created an arsenal of cheap drones for surveillance and precision strike. That's something militaries around the world are watching closely given how effective it's been. "We're really trying to minimize the exquisite, custom products," Cummings told BI, explaining that the Hellhound's payload, too, can be interchanged with different sensors or warheads depending on what the mission requirements are simply by twisting and unlocking the nose. A defining characteristic of the Hellhound is its turbojet engine. Cummings said it's a differentiator for the system and company as it not only reduces fuel usage but also increases speed. Cummings Aerospace advertises the Hellhound as being able to fly faster than 375 mph with a range of around 25 miles. The turbojet engine is also a commercially available product, Cummings said. She said the munition's shape, sleek and long, also aids with aerodynamics. Cummings Aerospace has imagined Hellhound swarms in the field providing a mix of intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance and strike. The focus on loitering munitions — which can, as the name suggests, loiter in an area before diving in to strike a target — comes amid efforts to give troops on the ground stand-off strike capabilities. These weapons have seen widespread use in the war in Ukraine, and Russian loitering munitions, like its Lancet drones and Iranian-made Shaheds, have been high-value targets for Kyiv's forces. Read the original article on Business Insider
