Analysis & Reports

The U.S. Army expanded its drone marketplace to include 33 nations during a signing ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. This initiative aims to facilitate rapid acquisition of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and has processed $800 million in transactions since its launch. The Army also awarded $7 billion in contracts for counter-drone systems through this marketplace, responding to increasing drone threats.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will discuss the future of autonomous warfare at the AUSA Annual Meeting on October 14, 2026, at 10 a.m. EST in Washington, D.C. The panel, titled 'Project Agincourt: Autonomous Warfare,' will include senior defense officials examining the military's approach to autonomous systems. This event highlights the Pentagon's increasing emphasis on integrating autonomous capabilities into military operations.

Milrem Robotics and Chugach Alaska Corporation signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to explore the production of unmanned ground systems in the United States. This partnership aims to establish a U.S. industrial base for the production, integration, and support of Milrem's systems, catering to U.S. military and allied forces. The agreement was made during the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Association of the United States Army.

The U.S. Army is creating opportunities for additional vendors to compete for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) Increment 2 launcher, allowing them to demonstrate their capabilities. This initiative, described by Lt. Gen. Frank Lozano, aims to enhance competition alongside existing contracts with Lockheed Martin and Boeing-Anduril. A new competition is set for the fourth quarter of 2027 as the Pentagon seeks to increase munition production and address budgetary challenges.

The U.S. Army has transferred 600 soldiers to its newly established Space Operations Branch, creating the first permanent enlisted cadre of Tactical Space Operations Specialists. This selection process drew from a pool of nearly 3,000 applicants, emphasizing the Army's commitment to enhancing its space capabilities. Training for these specialists will take place at the Space and Missile Defense Center of Excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The U.S. Navy awarded a $56.2 million contract to Huntington Ingalls Industries for engineering and design work on nuclear-powered submarines supporting the AUKUS partnership. The contract, funded by foreign partner funds, includes technical support and design transfer activities. Newport News Shipbuilding will conduct most of the work at its Virginia shipyard, with completion scheduled for September 2027.

Fincantieri completed the acquisition of Xtera Topco Limited, a leader in subsea telecommunications systems, through a joint venture with Prysmian. This acquisition, announced in December 2025, aims to strengthen Fincantieri's position in the underwater sector and enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure. The partnership combines expertise in optical engineering and submarine cable systems, contributing to the development of advanced capabilities in the underwater domain.

Nearly all U.S. soldiers completed the Neurocognitive Assessment Tool to monitor brain health, starting in 2024. This assessment is mandatory for active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve soldiers in high-risk roles, while others must test every three years. The Army aims to establish a baseline for cognitive health and improve treatment options for potential brain injuries. A new app for assessments is also being piloted to enhance tracking capabilities.

The U.S. Army Recruiting Command has suspended the Hometown Recruiter Assistance Program due to its low effectiveness in engaging new soldiers with local recruiters. Lt. Gen. Johnny Davis confirmed this decision at a recent forum, noting that the program, which has been in place since the 1980s, is under reevaluation for potential alternatives to support soldiers' hometown leave. The Army is assessing the return on investment from this program.

On October 13, 2023, U.S. President Trump announced that the U.S. is providing aid and sharing intelligence with Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict and discussed easing sanctions on Russian diesel to alleviate domestic supply issues. Trump also warned Ukraine's President Zelensky against attacking Russian oil facilities, highlighting the global implications of the diesel trade.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed the possibility of restarting military action against Iran with U.S. President Trump in October 2023. This conversation occurred ahead of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections and Israeli parliamentary elections. Both the Israeli Defense Forces and U.S. Central Command are reportedly on high alert, preparing for any potential changes in Trump's stance regarding Iran.

The FBI disrupted North Korean laptop farms in Texas, seizing 187 laptops and devices used to fund weapons programs. This operation targeted North Korean operatives who obtained remote jobs at U.S. companies under false identities. The investigation, supported by CrowdStrike, revealed that these schemes generated revenue for the North Korean regime's sanctioned weapons programs. The FBI's actions are part of ongoing efforts to combat fraudulent IT employment linked to North Korea.

The U.S. Army announced its commitment to modernization and autonomous systems by redesignating the Futures and Concepts Command as the U.S. Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM) in Washington, D.C. FASCOM will develop autonomous capabilities and align the Army's force structure with new operational guidance. Concerns were expressed regarding the closure of the Unmanned Assault Battalion, emphasizing a decentralized approach to drone warfare.

The U.S. Army will activate Project Gatekeeper on October 23, 2023, to streamline the software approval process, reducing the time from months to minutes. This AI-enhanced cybersecurity sandbox allows companies to vet their software without needing an Army contract or program manager. The initiative aims to improve operational efficiency and security in software integration.

In 2012, German Eurofighter Typhoons conducted aerial maneuvers during Red Flag exercises in Alaska, scoring mock kills on US F-22 Raptors. The Luftwaffe, consisting of eight Typhoons and 150 personnel, claimed victory, stating they had 'Raptor salad for lunch.' This incident raised concerns about the F-22's tactics and operational effectiveness against allied forces.

The U.S. Army has redesignated its Futures and Concepts Command as the Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM) in Washington. This change aims to integrate autonomous and unmanned systems throughout the Army's structure. FASCOM will be led by a three-star general and is part of a broader modernization initiative, which includes the establishment of a new four-star command focused on autonomous warfare.

Army leaders announced plans to host commercial data centers at Fort Bliss, Dugway Proving Ground, Fort Bragg, and Fort Hood to mitigate public backlash. They aim to engage with local communities and military families during the agreement phase of these projects, which are intended to support both civilian and military needs. The Army has noted significant public opposition to similar projects in civilian areas.

Lockheed Martin is exploring partnerships to produce PAC-3 Patriot interceptors in Europe to meet Ukraine's defense needs against Russian threats. Discussions have intensified following promises made to Ukraine for local production. The company is considering Germany as a production site, potentially partnering with Diehl Defence, while assessing the risks of establishing facilities in Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict.

The U.S. Army is developing three prototypes of the HADES spy plane, with the first expected to be delivered by January 2027. However, production plans are jeopardized by delays in the approval of the 2027 budget, as lawmakers have not yet passed the necessary spending bill. A senior defense official warned that the continuing resolution complicates the Army's ability to move forward with production.

The U.S. Army announced the creation of the U.S. Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM) on October 1, 2023, to oversee autonomous systems. This initiative includes a new acquisition office focused on prioritizing the purchase of autonomous systems by fiscal 2028. Additionally, the Army is working to integrate these systems into various military units and is establishing the Autonomous Warfare Command (AutoWarCom) by October 1, 2027, to enhance military capabilities.