FROM THE EDITIOR
SAPA’s website notes that its existence traces to 1573 and that SAPA “today is a leader in mobility technologies for armored vehicles.” Key U.S. operations of SAPA Transmission (USA) are in Shelby Township, Mich., where the company produces ad- vanced combat transmissions (ACTs) and auxiliary power units. The corporation works with the U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center and provides technologies for both tracked and wheeled vehicles with a focus on power man- agement and hybrid architectures. Defense Acquisition magazine recently spoke with Ryan Howell, vice president for business and government rela- tions, about the current state of SAPA Transmission’s busi- ness. Howell highlighted that SAPA Transmission provides its ACTs for the entire United States Army’s tracked vehicle fleet and to its NATO Allies. SAPA Transmissions have powered M1 Abrams Tanks, M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles, and the Self-Propelled Howitzer. In Europe, SAPA ACTs are fielded in Spain’s VCR 8x8 Dragon and Pizarro Armored Fighting Vehicle. “For the United States,” he added, “we are proud part- ners with General Dynamics Land Systems for their XM30 Wolf Fighting Vehicle offering.” Further highlighting SAPA Transmission’s support to the U.S. Army, former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George announced at the Association Above: Patrouille de France, French Air and Space Force aerobatics team, fly over the New York Harbor leaving trails of red, white, and blue smoke during the Inter- national Naval Review (INR) 250 Parade of Sail and International Aerial Review 250 in New York, July 4, 2026. The Parade of Sail marked the opening of INR 250, a multinational maritime celebration commemorating the 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and the nation, honoring the sea services’ enduring commitment to defending the United States and strengthening partnerships with allied and partner nations. Source: U.S Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Giovannie Oterosantiago
of the United States Army’s 2025 national convention that the new M1E3 would have a SAPA ACT incorporated into its powertrain. Howell said that SAPA Transmission was incorporated in the United States in 2003. “We opened our Michigan head- quarters in 2021, and we are currently breaking ground on our second advanced manufacturing facility,” he added. Howell reported that SAPA in Spain remains involved in broad military ordnance and weapon production for Spain and other European Union (EU) member nations. “In addi- tion to the Austro-Spanish vehicle mentioned earlier, they also work some Air Defense Artillery systems for the EU.” The company’s role in our Founding struggle remains a source of pride both to the company and the Basque locale of its Spanish headquarters. Asked what all SAPA provided to the Continental Army during the American War for In- dependence, Mr. Howell replied: “Guns, ammunition, uni- forms and related items, and medicine.” Materiel supplied through the company’s network included more than 200 cannons, 30,000 muskets (on which later American-made muskets were modeled) and bayonets, 150 tons of gunpow- der, cannonballs, half a million musket balls, and thousands of tents. Of friends and enemies, it has always proved best to have plenty of the former to balance out the latter. As Thomas Paine wrote in Common Sense , “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” That is as true today as it was two and a half centuries ago. Therefore, to all our readers and all Americans and friends of America everywhere, a happy 250th and many more to come! —Benjamin Tyree
JULY – AUGUST 2026 | DEFENSE ACQUISITION MAGAZINE 9
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