Analysis & Reports

The U.S. Air Force is accelerating the development of a new drone model, the Modular Multi-role Aircraft (MMA), to replace the MQ-9A Reaper due to significant combat losses. As of September 3, 2023, the Air Force has lost 24 Reapers since February 2023, prompting a shift towards a more economical and durable solution. The MMA is designed to perform similar missions at a lower cost and is expected to be deployed in significant numbers.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III landed at Camp Davis South, North Carolina, marking its first landing there in over 20 years. This event supports parachute training for U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. The airfield, recently upgraded at a cost of about $28 million, enhances training capabilities for ground units and allows for the movement of larger military equipment.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the dismantling of the SM-1 nuclear power plant at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, a project that began in 2021 and concluded in 2026. This facility was the first in the U.S. to supply nuclear-generated electricity to the commercial grid. The decommissioning involved removing radioactive materials and restoring the site. The Army is now planning to install new small nuclear reactors at various bases under the Janus program.

The U.S. Army is testing two versions of the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) network with the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson and the 25th Infantry Division in Maryland. This testing aims to enhance battlefield decision-making through advanced technology. The Army plans to invest nearly $3 billion in the program, with a goal of fielding NGC2 across all divisions within five years.

The U.S. Coast Guard received its first HC-130J Super Hercules at Air Station Sacramento, marking a significant upgrade from the C-27J Spartan patrol planes. This aircraft enhances the Coast Guard's capabilities in detecting and interdicting maritime threats. The delivery is part of a broader investment in fixed-wing aircraft, with plans for Sacramento to eventually operate four HC-130Js by 2030.

German Defense Minister Pistorius will meet U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth on September 15, 2023, in Texas to discuss U.S. military deployments in Europe and attend the unveiling of F-35 fighter jets. This meeting is significant due to prior tensions between the two nations regarding military strategies in Iran and Ukraine. The U.S. currently has about 38,000 troops stationed in Germany, the largest presence in Europe.

The U.S. Navy rejected the F-111B aircraft program in May 1968 due to excessive weight and performance issues. Only seven units were completed, and the program was ultimately canceled after significant deficiencies were identified. The F-111B was intended to operate from aircraft carriers and defend against Soviet bombers but failed to meet operational requirements.

The U.S. Navy is modernizing its three Zumwalt-class destroyers, planning to replace their radar systems and adapt them for Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic missiles. Originally intended to be a fleet of 32 ships, the program faced significant cost overruns and challenges, leading to the cancellation of ammunition for their guns. The modernization is expected to continue into 2028, with the first at-sea test of the new weapon planned for 2027.

The SR-71 Blackbird, operational from the mid-1960s to the late 1990s, faced over 4,000 missile launches from various nations, including North Vietnam and Libya, without sustaining any hits. Its defense strategy relied solely on speed, allowing it to evade all missile threats. The only confirmed missile engagement occurred in 1981 over Korea, where the missiles missed the aircraft.

U.S. Department of Defense officials are urging Congress to approve a $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027 to replenish critical weapon and ammunition stocks. This budget request, submitted by the Trump administration, marks the largest military funding request in U.S. history, reflecting a 42% increase from the previous year. The Pentagon is currently awaiting funding to fulfill contracts with defense contractors.

The U.S. Air Force retired the EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare plane at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in September 2021 after nearly 19 years of continuous deployment. The aircraft completed 14,753 sorties and 90,364.4 combat flight hours. It will be replaced by the EA-37B, which offers enhanced capabilities for electronic warfare operations.

The last EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare plane retired after its final flight over Arizona in September 2026, concluding its 19-year service. The aircraft, part of the 55th Electronic Combat Group, was replaced by the EA-37B Compass Call, which offers enhanced electronic warfare capabilities. The EC-130H had a significant operational history, including 14,753 sorties and 90,364.4 combat flight hours since its first deployment in 2002.

Capt. Michael Cloninger of the 90th Fighter Squadron safely executed a belly landing of an F-22 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on September 18, 2024, after the front landing gear failed during a ceremonial flight. He circled the airfield for an hour to burn off fuel before landing without incident. Cloninger was later awarded the Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy for his exceptional airmanship during the emergency.

Capt. Michael Cloninger of the 90th Fighter Squadron safely executed a belly landing of an F-22 aircraft after the right wheel assembly broke off during a ceremonial flight on September 18, 2024, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The pilot circled for an hour to burn off fuel before landing. He was later awarded the Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy for his extraordinary airmanship during the emergency.

The USS Alabama (BB-60) was towed through the Panama Canal in 1964, clearing the locks with only 11 inches of space on each side. This battleship, which served in WWII, carried 9 16-inch guns and had a crew of 2,500. It earned 9 battle stars and remarkably suffered no combat fatalities. Today, it is preserved at Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama.

The U.S. Space Force awarded a $161 million contract to Antares to develop a nuclear reactor for spacecraft. Antares will conduct a ground demonstration of the R1-S reactor and plans to test the Mark-1 reactor by 2027. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance military capabilities in space, with goals to deploy a nuclear reactor in space by 2028.

The U.S. Army announced the installation of three Kaleidos microreactors at Fort Benning, Georgia, on August 26, 2026, as part of the Janus Program. These reactors will provide 3 megawatts of power to ensure energy resilience for critical operations at the base. Radiant Industries will manage the reactors, which are designed to operate independently of the regional power grid and are expected to be operational by 2028.

Georgia National Guard helicopters conducted aerial searches for illegal marijuana grows this summer, assisting police in obtaining search warrants. In one operation, a civilian officer aboard a UH-72 spotted marijuana in Dalton, leading to the seizure of 17 plants. Overall, the Guard helped seize 343 plants statewide, utilizing a new approach to cover broader areas efficiently.

The U.S. Air Force operated the SR-71 Blackbird, a reconnaissance aircraft capable of flying at Mach 3 and 85,000 feet, during the 1986 mission over Libya. Pilots underwent rigorous selection and training processes, including astronaut-level physical tests. The aircraft's speed and altitude allowed it to evade enemy missiles successfully.

Russia has initiated space warfare tactics, including the destruction of a reconnaissance satellite and navigation signal jamming, affecting Ukraine and NATO countries. NATO is debating the implications of these actions on collective defense, while the U.S. has adopted a more aggressive military posture in space. Private commercial space companies are increasingly involved in military operations, complicating the landscape of space warfare.