Analysis & Reports

USS Coral Sea (CV-43) served in the U.S. Navy from 1947 to 1990, participating in significant military operations including the Vietnam War and the Suez Canal Crisis. It was the first aircraft carrier to deploy the F/A-18 Hornet and fire a HARM missile in combat during Operation El Dorado Canyon in 1986. The carrier underwent modernization in the late 1950s, extending its operational lifespan and enhancing its capabilities.

The USS Saratoga (CV-60) dropped 4,047,000 pounds of ordnance on Iraq during the Gulf War and transited the Suez Canal six times. Saddam Hussein claimed on Iraqi television that the carrier had been sunk. The carrier launched 11,000 sorties and completed approximately 2,694 combat missions, demonstrating significant U.S. military operations in the region.

The US Navy canceled the construction of the USS Illinois, an Iowa-Class battleship, on August 12, 1945, when it was only 22 percent complete. The keel was laid on January 15, 1945, but the ship never left the building ways or was commissioned. The design included advanced features such as nine 16-inch guns and a speed of 33 knots, but the completion was deemed unnecessary after Japan's defeat.

The U.S. Navy awarded Saildrone a $16.3 million task order to extend operations of the Voyager unmanned surface vehicle in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific for counternarcotics efforts. Since 2023, these unmanned systems have supported the Navy's drug interdiction operations, contributing to 66 strikes against alleged drug-carrying vessels, resulting in at least 196 casualties. The Saildrone Voyager is designed for persistent surveillance and can remain on mission for months.

The Imperial Japanese Navy commissioned the aircraft carrier Shinano on November 19, 1944, but it was sunk by the USS Archerfish on November 29 after being hit by four torpedoes. The carrier, which displaced 72,000 tons and was designed to operate 47 aircraft, suffered from incomplete watertight integrity, leading to significant flooding and its eventual sinking. Approximately 1,435 personnel lost their lives in the incident.

On Wednesday, Russian Armed Forces launched 24 ballistic missiles, 4 Zircon or Oniks missiles, and 115 drones at Kyiv, resulting in 17 deaths and 44 injuries. Ukraine managed to intercept most drones but none of the missiles, revealing vulnerabilities in its air defense. The report suggests that a concrete armistice proposal from Trump to Putin could clarify Russia's intentions regarding further military actions.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) initiated precision strikes in southern Lebanon on August 5 in response to Hezbollah's violation of a ceasefire agreement. Prior to the airstrikes, the IDF issued evacuation warnings to residents of Mansouri, instructing them to leave the area by at least one kilometer.

XPONENTIAL Europe is set to expand its exhibition space and international reach in Düsseldorf from March 16 to 18, 2027, focusing on autonomous systems and robotics, including defense applications. The event reflects a significant increase in investment in European defense startups, driven by geopolitical changes. Major tech companies are participating, highlighting the intersection of technology and defense.

The Israeli military conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon on August 5 in response to Hezbollah's violation of a ceasefire agreement.

On August 5, 2023, Russian forces shot down over 1000 Ukrainian drones and conducted strikes on 153 military and infrastructure targets. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported approximately 1380 personnel losses for the Ukrainian armed forces during this period.

Taiwan began major military drills on August 14, 2023, to enhance command flexibility and readiness against unexpected enemy movements. The exercises involve 20,000 reservists and include testing communication under limited internet access. The Taiwanese Armed Forces are simulating wartime scenarios, including the relocation of military assets and mobilization of civilian factories, amid growing concerns over Chinese military pressure.

The Iowa-class battleships, commissioned in 1943, served in five conflicts and were reactivated multiple times until 1991. They were known for their speed and firepower, launching cruise missiles and providing naval gunfire support. The ships are now preserved as museums in various locations, including Los Angeles and Pearl Harbor.

The U.S. Army has consumed almost all of its precision long-range missiles during a five-month conflict with Iran, raising concerns about its future conflict capabilities. This includes the Army Tactical Missile System and Precision Strike Missiles, which are crucial for engaging targets from a safe distance. The depletion of these stocks reflects a strategic choice to minimize risks in military operations.

EDGE Group tested the JERNAS-M drone in Abu Dhabi in November 2025. The drone, built on the civilian Velocity airframe, is designed for long-endurance surveillance missions, capable of flying for up to 20 hours. This development positions EDGE as a competitive player in the defense market, aiming to expand its partnerships beyond the Gulf region.

The U.S. Navy launched the Oriole IV sounding rocket from Wake Island on February 12, creating a plasma field to study energy conversion in space. This mission involved eight personnel from the White Sands Detachment and reached an altitude of approximately 539 kilometers. The operation was initially planned for Wallops Flight Facility but was relocated due to safety concerns regarding debris scattering.

The U.S. Marine Corps conducted integrated training with Perennial Autonomy drones at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California, in May 2026. During the training, the AS-3 Merops interceptor successfully shot down a Hornet strike drone, demonstrating its capabilities. This training marks the first direct collaboration between the 2nd Marine Division and Perennial Autonomy, as the Corps prepares to integrate these drone systems into their operations.

Russian forces conducted a large-scale airstrike on August 5, 2023, targeting drone-related facilities in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast, resulting in 17 deaths and 44 injuries. The attack involved 24 ballistic missiles, 4 Zircon hypersonic missiles, and 115 drones, primarily aimed at logistics centers and civilian infrastructure. Explosions were reported in the Brovary area, and additional strikes targeted cargo ships supplying the Ukrainian military.

The U.S. Army successfully tested a Black Hawk helicopter's capability to launch and control multiple armed drones during Project Convergence Capstone 6 in July 2023 at Fort Irwin, California. This demonstration validated the air-launched effects capability, which includes reconnaissance and strike drones. The Army plans to enhance this capability further and aims for large-scale fielding by fiscal year 2027.

Raytheon's DeepFires autonomous missile launcher successfully tested its capabilities during Project Convergence Capstone 6 at Fort Irwin, California, from July 20 to July 29, 2026. The system can autonomously fire cruise missiles and switch to intercepting incoming threats, demonstrating significant flexibility in military operations. This capability allows for rapid reconfiguration between offensive and defensive roles, integrating various weapon systems like Tomahawk and Patriot missiles.

The UK is developing a 'hybrid navy' plan that aims to integrate unmanned vessels with traditional naval forces. This initiative, launched on June 30, 2023, faces significant challenges, particularly in maintaining operational readiness and naval power in contested environments. The Royal Navy must ensure control over critical maritime areas, as its trade heavily depends on sea transport. The report cautions against adopting unproven naval strategies without addressing existing operational challenges.