JERUSALEM - During last year's conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the Israeli military successfully intercepted dozens of Hezbollah drones using a new laser interception system developed by Rafael. This system is a lower-powered variant of the Iron Beam laser interceptor scheduled for deployment later this year. Hezbollah launched over 300 explosive-laden drones, causing damage and casualties, prompting accelerated development of the laser system.

Israel has reorganized defenses along its northern border, transitioning responsibilities back to the 91st "Galilee" Division, which is forming a new brigade for the central sector. Additionally, Israel continues targeting Hezbollah operatives violating ceasefire terms, killing over 180 fighters, including senior commanders. The ceasefire, established in November 2024, ended more than a year of hostilities initiated by Hezbollah to support Hamas attacks against Israel. Israel maintains limited forces inside southern Lebanon at strategic positions deemed necessary for border protection.

Source: The Times of Israel
Associated URL: https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-reveals-it-used-laser-system-to-intercept-dozens-of-hezbollah-drones-last-year/

YAGUR, Israel - SMARTSHOOTER, a designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems, announces that its U.S. subsidiary, SMARTSHOOTER Inc., has received a new order valued at $13 million from the U.S. Army for SMASH 2000L fire control systems. The systems will be deployed as part of the Army's Transformation In Contact (TIC2.0) forces, a specially designated formation for accelerated testing and integration of advanced technologies on the battlefield.

SMASH fire control systems have already been acquired and operationally deployed by various branches of the U.S. armed forces, providing valuable field experience and demonstrating their effectiveness against evolving threats. Now, with the recent U.S. Army order, the technology will be integrated into the combat formation.

Also known as SMASH 3000, SMASH 2000L (light) is SMARTSHOOTER's lightest handheld-operated fire control system, which attaches to the Soldier's rifle. Using computer vision, artificial intelligence, and advanced tracking algorithms, it enables Soldiers to detect, track, and precisely eliminate aerial and ground targets with unmatched accuracy. The system is especially effective against drones and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), offering a high probability of kill for emerging threats.

Source: SMARTSHOOTER
Associated URL: https://www.smart-shooter.com/

VIENNA, Va. -- Seekr was awarded two U.S. Army Small Business Innovation Research contracts focused on Generative AI, Large Language Models, and Machine Learning for military applications. Both awards fall within the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (Critical Technology Area of 'Trusted AI and Autonomy'.)

In a Direct to Phase II award, Seekr is partnering with Project Linchpin, the Army’s initiative to shape future AI/ML Operations capabilities, for rapid development and deployment of advanced analytics across U.S. Army sensor modernization. In a Phase I award, Seekr will develop AI/ML for edge and austere environments.

Project Linchpin provides the U.S. Army’s standardized process for demonstrating and testing AI and machine learning operations.

Source: Seekr
Associated URL: https://www.seekr.com/blog/us-army-selects-seekr-to-deliver-mission-ready-ai-agents/