Analysis & Reports

The 2026 AUSA expo in Washington showcased advancements in military technology, including drones and electronic warfare systems. The U.S. Army announced plans to open its acquisition programs to a wider range of vendors, aiming to enhance competition and avoid early commitment to single solutions.

In 1997, the United States purchased 21 MiG-29 fighters from Moldova to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear-capable aircraft. This deal included 14 MiG-29C variants and was part of a broader strategy to counter Iran's ambitions for nuclear weapons. The aircraft were transported to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for evaluation and training.

The Leonidas high-power microwave weapon has been added to the Pentagon's online counter-drone marketplace, facilitating purchases by U.S. military units and federal agencies. This system, developed by Epirus, can disable multiple drones simultaneously and has been in development since 2020. The U.S. Army has already acquired prototypes for its Indirect Fire Protection Capability.

BAE Systems and the US Department of War signed a long-term agreement on October 19, 2026, to increase the production of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) in Falls Church, VA, and Hudson, NH. This agreement aims to enhance the delivery of proven, cost-effective precision munitions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized U.S. delays in arms shipments and intelligence sharing, stating that these decisions are hard to explain. He highlighted the lack of advance warning for attacks and the Pentagon's delays in delivering missiles. Zelenskyy expressed willingness to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries if the U.S. provides necessary military support.

Chinese defense experts analyze the U.S. Marine Corps' new strategy, which emphasizes dispersed operations using drones and anti-ship missiles in the Asia-Pacific. They express alarm over the USMC's capabilities, including unmanned vessels and LRASM missiles, while highlighting vulnerabilities in logistics and air defense. The analysis suggests that China may adopt a more aggressive military posture in response to U.S. actions, raising concerns about escalating tensions in the region.

The Trump administration has not approved the transfer of Patriot missile defense system interceptors to Ukraine as of October 19, 2023. This delay coincides with increasing tensions between President Trump and President Zelensky. Secretary of Defense Esper has yet to finalize the necessary approval process, while Zelensky has urged for expedited air defense support from allies.

Lockheed developed the YF-12A interceptor aircraft in the 1960s, capable of speeds over Mach 3 and designed to engage Soviet bombers. The aircraft featured advanced radar and AIM-47A missiles, achieving notable speed and altitude records during testing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. However, only three prototypes were built, and the program was eventually sidelined due to shifting military priorities during the Vietnam War.

The U.S. Air Force is modernizing its B-52H bombers by integrating AGM-158C LRASM anti-ship missiles and upgrading their systems to extend service life into the 2050s. Approximately 76 B-52H bombers are currently in service, with plans to enhance their capabilities significantly. This modernization effort aims to maintain the bombers' relevance in contemporary military operations, despite challenges related to costs and timelines.

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is launching the second phase of a prize challenge for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in Washington, offering up to $40 million in prize money. This phase focuses on developing USVs with hard-kill Counter-Air effectors and resilient sensor suites to detect and defeat airborne threats. Submissions are due by November 30, with in-water testing expected to begin in early 2027.

NASA operated two F-16XL prototypes at Edwards AFB in California during the late 1990s to study drag-reduction methods at supersonic speeds. The F-16XL featured significant enhancements over the standard F-16, including a larger payload capacity and advanced wing design, but ultimately lost the Enhanced Tactical Fighter competition to the F-15E Strike Eagle due to cost and performance considerations.

The U.S. Department of Defense signed a framework agreement with BAE Systems to purchase up to 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance kits annually for seven years. This agreement aims to enhance production capacity for U.S. allies and maintain a steady supply of precision-guided munitions. BAE Systems will increase output to 35,000 kits per year as partner nations formally request them through the Foreign Military Sales program.

Phantom Defense participated in Gauntlet II in the United States, acting as an adversary for drones during U.S. drone dominance exercises. The company utilized electronic warfare jammers in these military exercises.

USS Boston (CA-69) and USS Canberra (CA-70) were converted from Baltimore-class heavy cruisers to guided-missile cruisers in the 1950s, featuring RIM-2 Terrier missile systems. They served in major operations during WWII and later supported US forces in the Vietnam War. Both ships were decommissioned in 1970 due to advancements in missile technology and the introduction of more modern warships.

The U.S. Army announced the winners of the xTechHumanoid competition, aimed at exploring military applications for humanoid robots. Five companies were selected from 103 submissions based on their proposals' military utility and technical merit. The competition involved testing robots in military mission contexts, revealing both advancements and challenges in humanoid robotics. The Army intends to use the findings to guide future research and development in this area.

NATO plans to procure six portable jammers capable of disrupting satellite navigation and drone control signals for training exercises. The request for proposals will be issued on October 26, 2026, with bids due by November 30, and a contract award expected on December 11. These jammers are intended to enhance training realism by exposing personnel to realistic interference scenarios.

Lockheed Martin proposed a carrier-based variant of the SR-71 Blackbird, known as the A-12CB, during the 1960s. This design aimed to utilize Rocketdyne boosters for launch from U.S. Navy aircraft carriers but never progressed beyond preliminary design due to significant structural challenges and operational limitations. The A-12CB would have enhanced reconnaissance capabilities but was ultimately deemed impractical for carrier operations.

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory is seeking industry proposals for a combined-cycle rotating detonation rocket engine to enhance high-speed weapon capabilities. The project, based at Edwards Air Force Base in California, has a proposal deadline of November 16, 2026, and aims to transition from laboratory proof of concept to a flight-tested prototype within 36 to 48 months. This initiative is part of the development of High-Speed Affordable Mass Munitions (HAMM).

Cummings Aerospace fired two 3D-printed Hellhound S3 jet-powered drones from a Polaris utility vehicle at the Pendleton UAS Range in Oregon on August 25, 2026. This test marked the first vehicle launch of the Hellhound, which successfully completed its autonomous missions. The company aims to enhance the drone's capabilities for various military applications.

Shield AI's Hivemind software enabled Honeywell Aerospace to achieve autonomous flight capabilities in just six weeks, significantly reducing development time. The first demonstration occurred on July 8, 2023, in Plymouth, Minnesota, where the BFD-SE8 multirotor aircraft autonomously navigated a planned route. A second demonstration on October 8 showcased the aircraft's ability to detect and track targets, delivering a payload before returning to base.