Wabtec Corporation completed its $1.78 billion acquisition of Evident’s Inspection Technologies division, formerly part of the Scientific Solutions Division of Olympus Corporation. The acquisition strengthens Wabtec’s Digital Intelligence business by adding inspection technologies that enable enhanced productivity, reliability, and safety for rail, mining, and industrial sectors. FORT SILL, Okla. — The U.S. Army conducted a live-fire exercise integrating directed energy weapons alongside traditional kinetic systems. The exercise pitted prototype directed energy weapons, including a Directed Energy Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) system, against a swarm of Group 1-3 unmanned aircraft systems. Data gathered from the tests will be used to shape future development and procurement, notably the Army’s FY26 Enduring High Energy Laser program. A directed energy systems test at Fort Sill, Okla. Courtesy of U.S. Army/Jim Kendall. BERLIN — The Ferdinand-Braun Institut (FBH) and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU Berlin) collaborated to launch a joint lab, Integrated Nonlinear Quantum Optics. The lab is headed by Sven Ramelow of HU Berlin and strengthens FBH’s integrated quantum technology research area. GOLETA, Calif. — Teledyne FLIR OEM, part of Teledyne Technologies Inc., launched a dedicated website to streamline original equipment manufacturer (OEM) access to technical resources and development support. The website can be accessed at https://oem.flir.com. IRVINE, Calif. — SDC Technologies, a manufacturer of high-performance specialty coatings, entered into a strategic investment and collaboration agreement with flo Optics. The partnership brings together flo’s digital platform and multidisciplinary expertise with SDC’s experience in coating material science and global market reach. The collaboration will focus on co-developing advanced coating solutions and digital application processes designed to improve performance, scalability, and sustainability in ophthalmic lens processing. The investment from SDC Technologies is part of flo Optics’ recently closed $35 million funding round HELSINKI — Hyperspectral satellite and AI-powered insights company Kuva Space is launching a pilot with the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) to test the use of hyperspectral satellite data and AI-driven insights in improving the monitoring and identification of algae blooms in Finland’s lakes and coastal waters. This collaboration builds on Syke’s existing use of public satellite data and manual field testing, adding more detailed spectral information to help target environmental measures and recovery actions where they are needed most. Kuva Space’s hyperspectral satellite data will be used to improve the monitoring and identification of algae blooms. Courtesy of Kuva Space. HERZOGENRATH, Germany — AIXTRON SE, Fraunhofer IISB, and bimanu Cloud Solutions GmbH will work jointly on the project "Increasing Energy Efficiency in SiC Epitaxy," funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and led by AIXTRON. The aim of the €28.4 million ($33.4 million) project is to increase resource efficiency in the production of layer structures made from silicon carbide (SiC) compound semiconductors. MARIETTA, Ga. — Atomic-6, a manufacturer of composite solutions, won a $2 million contract from the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command to mature and flight qualify the Light Wing solar array for commercial and defense sectors. The 21-month grant will involve composite coupon testing, cell compatibility demonstration, and thermal vacuum and vibe testing to prove the Light Wing’s ability to survive launch and operate in space. According to Atomic-6, the all-composite, lightweight, redeployable satellite power system delivers more than 4× the power per kg compared to existing arrays. Additionally, the company added former ISS Commander Chris Hadfield to its advisory board. The all-composite, lightweight, redeployable Light Wing satellite power system delivers over 4× more power per kg than existing arrays, enabling energy-intensive operations such as orbital compute, high-bandwidth communications, and human habitation space stations. Courtesy of Atomic-6. HOUSTON — Hewlett Packard Enterprise closed its acquisition of Juniper Networks. The $14 billion transaction doubles the size of Hewlett Packard's networking business and positions the company to address hybrid cloud, artificial intelligence, and data center applications. The combined company is led by former Juniper Networks CEO Rami Rahim. DURHAM, N.C. — Wolfspeed, Inc. a provider of SiC technologies, filed petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code as part of its its restructuring support agreement with key lenders. Upon emergence from the process, the company expects to have reduced its overall debt by approximately 70%, representing a reduction of ~$4.6 billion, and a reduction of its annual total cash interest payments by approximately 60%.