🔫 US Army Integrates SMASH Smart Fire‐Control System on M4A1 to Counter Drones

📬 In Today’s Defense Brief

🛩️ Final MQ‑9A Reaper Delivered to U.S. Marine Corps LINK

🚁 MV‑75 FLRAA Conducts Special User Evaluation at Redstone Arsenal LINK

🔫 US Army Integrates SMASH Smart Fire‑Control System on M4A1 to Counter Drones LINK

🌊 NATO Tests Unmanned Surface Vessels in the Baltic Sea LINK

🛰️ Czech Gripen Replacement to be Swedish Fighter LINK

🎱 Plus 8 other news stories you may like

📰 Full Breakdown

🛩️ Final MQ‑9A Reaper Delivered to U.S. Marine Corps LINK

• The U.S. Marine Corps received its final MQ‑9A Reaper Block 5 Extended Range UAS, completing a rapid three-year acquisition effort.

• The delivery supports Force Design 2030 goals for distributed maritime ISR, backed by GA‑ASI and Marine operations.

• Equipped with a SkyTower II network extension pod, the Reaper fleet enhances cross-domain connectivity and situational awareness.

🚁 MV‑75 FLRAA Conducts Special User Evaluation at Redstone Arsenal LINK

• The Army’s Future Long‑Range Assault Aircraft prototype, designated MV‑75, completed a live Special User Evaluation at Redstone Arsenal.

• Pilots completed simulated operational missions, providing feedback to refine design ahead of the Critical Design Review.

• The first MV‑75s are slated for the 101st Airborne, signaling progress toward replacing older rotorcraft.

🔫 US Army Integrates SMASH Smart Fire‑Control System on M4A1 to Counter Drones LINK

• The Army has fielded the SMASH 2000L fire-control optic on M4A1 rifles during exercise Project Flytrap in Germany.

• Mounted systems enabled individual soldiers to engage drones with precision, reflecting a shift to soldier-level counter-UAS capability.

• The move follows a $13 million contract via the Transformation in Contact (TIC 2.0) initiative to rapidly equip frontline units.

🌊 NATO Tests Unmanned Surface Vessels in the Baltic Sea LINK

• NATO’s standing naval forces are demonstrating uncrewed surface vessel integration in the Baltic Sea through June.

• Trials focus on operational use of USVs for maritime surveillance, infrastructure protection, and allied interoperability.

• The tests serve as precursors to larger innovation exercises and aim to accelerate USV deployment.

🛰️ Czech Gripen Replacement to be Swedish Fighter LINK

• The Czech government has selected a Swedish fighter jet to succeed its JAS 39 Gripen fleet.

• Details on the exact model remain undisclosed, but the decision aligns with Prague’s update of its air defense capabilities.

• The acquisition strengthens Czech-Swedish defense ties and enhances NATO interoperability.

🌏 Other Important News

• Raytheon Secures $1.1B AIM-9X Block II Missile Contract LINK

• Pentagon Considers Shifting F-47 Funding from Navy to Air Force LINK

• Lockheed Proposes New F-35 Fuselage to Mitigate Radar Delays LINK

• Trump Drone Crackdown at World Cup LINK

• MV‑75 FLRAA Evaluation Bridges Design to Battlefield LINK

• Hypersonic Missile Program (ARRW) Pulled Back to Air Force, New Army Munitions Planned LINK

• Iran Orders Ballistic Missile Materials from China LINK

• Large Explosion Reported at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa LINK

Thanks for reading today’s Defense Brief. If you found it useful, consider forwarding it to a friend or colleague who'd appreciate staying sharp on defense tech and military news.