Defense Systems

Aitech Launches C165 VME Board to Modernize Fielded Defense Systems

National Harbor, Md. – September 17, 2026 -- Aitech has introduced the C165 Rugged 6U VME Single Board Computer, a pin-compatible successor to its C164 and C163 SBCs designed to let defense programs modernize fielded VME systems without full platform redesigns. The company unveiled the board at the Air & Space Forces Association Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, running Sept. 14-16 at booth MB400.

New board delivers 2x power efficiency and 2.5x graphics gains over prior Aitech VME platforms

The C165 is built on the 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1185GRE Tiger Lake UP3 processor paired with Intel Iris Xe graphics featuring 96 execution units. Aitech states the board achieves a 2x improvement in CPU performance-per-watt and more than 2.5x higher graphics performance compared with previous-generation VME solutions from the company.

Butler National Posts Record Q1 Revenue, Up 53% to $30.8 Million

New Century, Kansas – September 17, 2026 -- Butler National Corporation (OTCQX: BUKS) reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 revenue of $30.8 million, up 53% from the prior-year period, driven by a surge in aircraft modification work and a record aerospace backlog.

Net income climbs 43% to $5.3 million as operating margin expands to 24%

Operating income rose 59% to $7.4 million, while net income increased 43% to $5.3 million for the quarter ended September 17, 2026. Earnings per share rose to $0.08 from $0.06 a year earlier, reflecting margin expansion from 23% to 24%.

Havoc, CSBC Taiwan Partner on Autonomous Vessel Co-Production

Providence, R.I. – September 17, 2026 -- Havoc, a U.S. collaborative autonomy company, and CSBC Corporation, Taiwan, the island's largest shipbuilder, have signed a partnership to pursue licensed co-production of autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) for Taiwan's maritime security.

Partnership pairs U.S. autonomy software with Taiwan-built hulls

Under the agreement, Havoc's collaborative autonomy software will be integrated onto ASV platforms built by CSBC in Taiwan, with production and lifecycle sustainment handled locally. The deal targets Taiwan's domestic shipbuilding capacity, headquartered in Kaohsiung with shipyards in Kaohsiung and Keelung, founded in 1973.

APTIM Wins $145M Navy Fuel Infrastructure Engineering Contract

Baton Rouge, La. – September 17, 2026 -- APTIM has been selected for a $145 million Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Multiple Award Contract with the US Department of the Navy to provide Architect-Engineer services for Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants (POL) systems worldwide, with work scheduled through August 2031.

NAVFAC EXWC awards APTIM engineering role covering global fuel infrastructure

The contract, administered by the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC), covers engineering and design services for POL systems and supporting facilities at Navy and Marine Corps installations globally.

MSA Safety Launches A1X Vacuum Anchor, Cuts Weight 35% for Aircraft MRO

Pittsburgh – September 16, 2026 -- MSA Safety has launched the A1X, a next-generation WinGrip vacuum anchor that weighs 7 kg -- 35% lighter than its predecessor -- and cuts its diameter to 350 mm from 480 mm, aiming to speed up aircraft maintenance checks.

Redesigned pneumatics double anchoring positions per bottle

The A1X uses vacuum suction technology to create a non-invasive attachment point on aircraft wing surfaces, powered by refillable air or gas cylinders that generate the required negative pressure. A redesigned pneumatic system doubles the number of anchoring positions achievable with a single bottle, reducing how often technicians must carry replacement cylinders during time-critical checks.

Exiger Completes AI-Native Platform Rebuild, Backed by Carlyle, Insight, JMI

Washington – September 16, 2026 -- Exiger has compressed what was estimated as a three-year, $180 million platform overhaul into a four-month, $20 million sprint, launching an AI-native version of its 1Exiger supply chain and trade compliance platform with backing from Carlyle, Insight Partners, and JMI Equity.

Exiger's new AI development engine writes 95% of first-generation code

The company's AI product development lifecycle (AI-PDLC) automates each stage of software development, integrating with Exiger's secure CI/CD pipeline atop a proprietary dataset the firm describes as the largest in supply chain, defense, and corporate intelligence, spanning three trillion data points. CEO Brandon Daniels said the platform allows a team of a few hundred 'Experience Builders' and engineers to match output typically requiring 10,000 staff engineers at larger firms.

IBM, Lockheed Martin Bring First Quantum System Two to Switzerland

ZURICH – September 16, 2026 -- IBM and Lockheed Martin have established a quantum innovation hub at ETH Zurich under an offset agreement with armasuisse, Switzerland's Federal Office for Defence Procurement, bringing the country its first IBM Quantum System Two.

Swiss National Supercomputing Centre to host Switzerland's first Quantum System Two by end of 2026

The system will be installed at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) in Lugano and powered by IBM's most advanced processor, the Quantum Nighthawk. IBM will operate the machine, while ETH Zurich provides expertise, resources and technologies to Swiss industries, startups and academia, including direct access to the hardware.

A&D M&A Surges: Q1 2026 Deal Value Hits $47.1B, Up 37% YOY

Boston – September 16, 2026 -- Aerospace & Defense M&A deal value jumped 37% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2026 to $47.1 billion in disclosed enterprise value, according to Capstone Partners' annual Aerospace, Defense, Government & Security (ADGS) Industry M&A Report.

Full-year 2025 deal count rose 10.3% while disclosed enterprise value surged 73.1%

Aerospace & Defense M&A expanded throughout 2025 despite a volatile macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop that dampened dealmaking elsewhere. Valuations averaged 3.0x EV/Revenue and 11.4x EV/EBITDA for the year, reflecting sustained buyer appetite across manufacturing, maintenance and leasing segments amid depressed aircraft production levels.

Radiance Technologies Wins Spot on $14B MSIC COMET Contract

Huntsville, Ala. – September 16, 2026 -- Radiance Technologies has secured a position as an awardee on the $14 billion Contract Operations for Missile Evaluation and Testing (COMET) Multi-Award Task Order Contract, extending its support of the Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC).

Contract spans a decade of military intelligence work

The COMET MATOC runs a 10-year period of performance from September 16, 2026 through September 16, 2026. Radiance will deliver research, development and sustainment services for hardware, software and systems underpinning military intelligence operations at MSIC, a component of the Defense Intelligence Agency.

MSA Safety Launches A1X Vacuum Anchor, Cuts Weight 35% for MRO Teams

Pittsburgh – September 16, 2026 -- MSA Safety has launched the A1X, a next-generation WinGrip vacuum anchor that weighs 7 kg, 35% lighter than its predecessor, and cuts the base diameter to 350 mm from 480 mm to speed up aircraft maintenance operations.

Redesigned pneumatic system doubles anchor repositioning per cylinder

The A1X uses rechargeable air or gas cylinders to generate suction force, creating a non-invasive anchor point on wing surfaces without damaging the aircraft. MSA redesigned the pneumatic system to double the number of anchor repositions available from a single cylinder, reducing the need for technicians to carry spare cylinders during time-sensitive line maintenance.