By SOFREP,
The defense industry doesn’t just sit still—it’s always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Two recent developments show how companies like Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) and Lockheed Martin are in charge of equipping our military with cutting-edge technology.
From revolutionizing ground vehicles to pioneering uncrewed aviation, these advancements highlight the shifting landscape of modern warfare.
HII’s $197 Million Deal: Revamping Army Ground Vehicles
Let’s start with HII. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to keep the US Army’s fleet of vehicles ahead of the curve, HII’s latest contract offers a glimpse.
The Mission Technologies division received a $197 million deal, as announced on November 6, to support the Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC).
This isn’t your typical vehicle tune-up—it’s a five-year mission to research and develop innovations for everything from robotic vehicles to hybrid and tactical combat systems.
Grant Hagen, who heads HII’s Warfare Systems group, put it plainly that the initiative’s goal is to bring advanced technology to the battlefield, ensuring our soldiers have every advantage.
“Accelerating advanced technology to benefit the warfighter is a priority, and we’re pleased to collaborate with the Army on ground vehicle advancements that will improve soldier safety and mission success on the battlefield,” said Hagen in a statement.
And it’s not just about making vehicles faster or more efficient; it’s about keeping troops safer and missions more successful.
The work, based primarily in Warren, Michigan, builds on HII’s 20-year history with GVSC, a partnership focused on ensuring the Army’s ground forces are as ready as they come.
But HII isn’t stopping at ground vehicles. They’ve been busy in other areas, too, like landing a massive $9.5 billion Navy contract for amphibious warships in September and modernizing government information technology (IT) networks in October.
Clearly, when it comes to supporting the military, HII is firing on all cylinders.
Lockheed Martin and General Atomics Take Flight
On the other side of the tech spectrum, we’ve got Lockheed Martin teaming up with General Atomics and the US Navy for a game-changing first.
Using their Skunk Works® MDCX™ autonomy platform, they pulled off a historic live flight of an uncrewed air system controlled by the Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control Station (UMCS).
In simpler terms, a Navy team in Maryland remotely piloted a General Atomics MQ-20 Avenger flying out in California.
No pilot in the cockpit, but still fully mission-capable.
This demo wasn’t just about showing off—it’s a crucial step toward realizing the Navy’s vision of future air operations, where crewed and uncrewed systems work together seamlessly.
Imagine a world where autonomous drones can support piloted aircraft in high-risk missions. That’s what programs like Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) are all about.
John Clark from Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works summed it up best: “Skunk Works is proud to collaborate with the Navy to bring its Carrier Air Wing of the Future vision to life.”
“The MDCX made it possible to rapidly integrate the MQ-20 ‘autonomy core’ with the UMCS, demonstrating common control capability and third-party platform integration,” he added.
Meanwhile, General Atomics is showcasing its Tactical Autonomy Core Ecosystem, or TacACE, which ensures these platforms can operate beyond the line of sight and adapt in real-time.
And this is just the beginning. The Navy plans to refine the UMCS based on this demonstration and continue testing to nail down the command and control systems needed for uncrewed aviation.
The goal? By the 2030s, we could see fully operational uncrewed aircraft working alongside piloted systems, changing the way we think about air combat.
“This was a huge step for unmanned naval aviation,” said Lt. Steven Wilster, MQ-25 AVP. “This demo showcased UMCS’s first live control of an unmanned air vehicle, and it was great to be part of history in the making. The team is paving the way for integrating critical unmanned capability across the joint force to combat the high-end threat our warfighters face today and in the future.”
What This Means for the Future
These projects highlight the military’s drive to stay ahead in an era where technology and warfare are evolving at breakneck speed.
For the Army, HII’s work on ground vehicles ensures soldiers will have reliable, state-of-the-art equipment that can handle anything from reconnaissance to combat.
For the Navy, Lockheed and General Atomics are pioneering a new frontier in aviation, where human pilots and autonomous systems work hand in hand.
But beyond the tech, there’s a bigger story here—one about adaptability and innovation.
In both cases, the military is showing it’s willing to embrace new ideas and partnerships to maintain its edge. Whether it’s on the ground or in the skies, the goal remains the same: to give our forces the best tools to succeed and come home safely.
It’s a fascinating time for military technology, and these contracts are just a glimpse of what’s to come.
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