Analysis & Reports

Intense fighting continues between Russian and Ukrainian forces, with Ukraine increasing drone attacks on Crimea and Russia advancing in Donbas, particularly in Lyman and Konstantinovka. From the evening of the 23rd to the morning of the 24th, Russian forces launched 101 drones, with Ukrainian air defense intercepting 95. Russian troops captured multiple positions in Lyman and Konstantinovka, while Ukraine retaliated with airstrikes in Crimea, impacting Sevastopol's electricity supply.

U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue will relinquish command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa on July 2, 2026, after 18 months in the role. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie will assume the duties of the commanding general. The Pentagon did not provide a reason for this abrupt leadership change, which is part of a broader shift in senior military leadership under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The U.S. Army plans to implement a next-gen command-and-control system across the 25th and 4th Infantry Divisions by the end of the year. This initiative aims to enhance data sharing during military operations and exercises, utilizing technology developed by Anduril and Palantir. The system will allow for tailored applications to meet the specific needs of each division, promoting a more connected operational environment.

The U.S. Marine Corps is conducting routine operations with Wasp-class amphibious assault ships in the Gulf of Aden and U.S. 3rd Fleet. These ships are capable of launching F-35B Lightning II fighters and supporting Marine Expeditionary Units. The operational focus includes island warfare in the Indo-Pacific region, enhancing the Marines' combat capabilities.

Anduril has been awarded a contract to lead the U.S. Army's common data layer for the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative in Washington. This contract is part of a larger 10-year agreement worth $20 billion aimed at modernizing military data sharing capabilities. The project involves collaboration with Palantir and Raft to enhance operational efficiency across the Army's divisions.

The U.S. Army established the Multi-Domain Command-Pacific (MDC-PAC) on June 18, 2026, by merging the 7th Infantry Division and 1st Multi-Domain Task Force at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. This new command aims to integrate Stryker formations, unmanned systems, and long-range fires to enhance military operations in the Pacific theater, addressing challenges posed by adversaries such as China. The command will focus on operational endurance, flexibility, and protection while testing new equipment and capabilities.

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The U.S. Army launched a new Indo-Pacific command at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, integrating traditional formations with advanced cyber, space, and electronic warfare capabilities. This initiative includes the establishment of the Cross Domain Contact Layer, designed to enhance operational effectiveness across multiple domains. The redesignation reflects the Army's ongoing transformation to improve capabilities in contested environments.

The U.S. Navy is initiating a program to recruit civilians with technology expertise as Reserve officers, allowing ranks up to captain. These officers will work remotely while keeping their civilian jobs, starting their commissioning in fiscal year 2027. The program targets professionals in fields such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, requiring candidates to have or be eligible for a Top Secret/SCI clearance.

The Navy is initiating a program to recruit civilians with expertise in technology fields as Reserve officers, allowing ranks up to commander. These officers will work remotely while keeping their civilian jobs and will be commissioned without attending traditional training programs. The program aims to begin in fiscal year 2027, focusing on candidates skilled in areas such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of America's military posture in Europe during a NATO meeting in Brussels. The review aims to ensure NATO's readiness and involves consultations with Congress and allies. Hegseth criticized NATO's response to the Iran conflict and highlighted the need for Europe to take primary responsibility for its defense. This announcement comes ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey.

The Pentagon announced the restoration of the name Pacific Command (PACOM) from Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) in Washington. This change, led by Adm. Samuel Paparo, maintains the same area of responsibility and aims to honor the command's historical roots. The announcement follows a trend of name changes within the Department of Defense under Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Army soldiers conducted a training exercise called Ivy Mass at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site in May 2026, testing their responses to electromagnetic warfare techniques. The exercise involved 11 cyber red team units and high-powered jammers, revealing that partial degradation of communications was more effective than complete jamming. The Army aims to enhance its command and control capabilities based on the lessons learned from this event.

DroneShield demonstrated its counter-unmanned aircraft system capabilities alongside Parsons Corporation in Warrenton on 16 June 2026. The event showcased advanced drone detection, electronic warfare, and mitigation technologies, emphasizing the importance of interoperability and open architectures in addressing evolving drone threats. This collaboration aims to enhance situational awareness and decision-making in security operations.

DroneShield demonstrated its counter-UAS solutions alongside Parsons Corporation in Warrenton, VA on 16 June 2026. The event showcased the interoperability of advanced sensing, command-and-control, and counter-drone technologies, emphasizing the need for organizations to adapt to evolving drone threats. This collaboration highlighted the importance of industry partnerships in enhancing airspace security.

Congress is investigating the Pentagon's use of Judge Advocate Generals (JAGs) in civilian roles, particularly as immigration judges, due to concerns about military readiness and morale. Senator Elizabeth Warren's provision in the 2027 NDAA aims to review this practice, which has seen around 600 JAGs assigned to the Justice Department. The investigation follows significant changes made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the military's legal staff, raising concerns about the experience of JAGs in these roles.

Sailors assigned to military operations at the U.S.-Mexico border are now eligible for the Mexican Border Defense Medal, requiring at least 30 days of deployment within 100 miles of the border. Since January 2025, over 10,000 personnel, including sailors, have been deployed to support Customs and Border Protection. The new medal replaces the Armed Forces Service Medal and aligns with recent Department of Defense guidelines.

Airmen from the Rhode Island National Guard and soldiers from the Michigan National Guard conducted a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration training exercise at Fort Irwin, California, from June 6-13. They flew the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System over 2,000 miles to test rapid deployment capabilities and simulate an artillery strike. This exercise is part of the new Minuteman Rotation program, which integrates National Guard troops with active-duty personnel.

U.S. Army pilots tested 3D spatial audio technology in Black Hawk helicopters at Fort Novosel, Alabama. The new system aims to enhance communication clarity by allowing pilots to distinguish between multiple simultaneous radio conversations. The installation required over 231 man-hours and was evaluated over two days. The technology is part of a broader effort to modernize cockpit audio systems for improved situational awareness during flight operations.

Senators are advocating for the Pentagon to establish a new combatant command focused on autonomous warfare, led by a four-star general. This initiative, inspired by Ukraine's drone military service, aims to integrate unmanned systems across various domains. The Senate Armed Services Committee's version of the National Defense Authorization Act passed with an 18-9 vote, supporting the creation of this command with specific authorities for testing and evaluation of emerging weapons.

Vegvisir is launching a communications module for military drones at Eurosatory 2026, aimed at maintaining connectivity in contested environments. The module supports various communication channels and is designed for harsh field conditions. It has already secured its first European customer and is being tested in nine countries, including the US and Australia.