Analysis & Reports

The Admiral Nakhimov battlecruiser of the Russian Navy, equipped with 176 vertical launch cells and advanced weaponry, is undergoing a significant refurbishment after 25 years and $5 billion in investment. In contrast, the proposed Trump-Class battleship of the U.S. Navy, which would feature 128 Mk 41 cells and advanced systems, has not yet been funded or constructed. This comparison underscores the ongoing naval arms race between the U.S. and Russia, reminiscent of Cold War dynamics.

An Italian NATO fighter jet shot down a drone in Lithuanian airspace on Tuesday after midnight, which likely came from Russia via Belarus. The incident occurred near Pratkunai, close to Kaunas, and the drone was reported to have carried explosives. Lithuanian officials are investigating the debris to confirm the drone's origin and potential provocations.

Diehl Defence and Elbit Systems demonstrated the operational capabilities of the SkyStriker loitering munition system in Germany.

Patria has secured a contract to deliver its multistatic coherent location (MUSCL) passive radar system to an unnamed European NATO member.

The analysis concludes that the Iowa-class battleship would defeat the Yamato-class battleship in a hypothetical naval engagement in 1945. Iowa's superior speed and radar-directed fire control would allow it to engage effectively at optimal ranges, while Yamato's optical targeting system would struggle in degraded visibility conditions. Historical data supports the conclusion that Iowa's gunnery would dominate the engagement.

The U.S. Space Force has deployed space control weapons in orbit, as confirmed by Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink during a conference in National Harbor, Maryland. These weapons are designed to defend against hostile actions and represent a shift in focus for the Space Force, which has previously prioritized communications and tracking satellites. The deployment aligns with the Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits weapons of mass destruction in orbit.

Japan Air Self-Defense Force suspects that a lost Global Hawk drone has crashed over the sea near Tottori Prefecture on September 15, 2023. The drone lost contact around 13:00 local time, and debris believed to be from the drone was discovered during the search. This drone is one of three stationed at Misawa Air Base and was not engaged in a training mission at the time of the incident.

The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.2 billion contract for the Precision Strike Missile Increment 2 system, designed to target maritime threats. This missile can travel up to 500 km and features a multimode seeker. The contract's work locations will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of September 13, 2031. This follows the successful launch of the first PrSM Increment 2 missile earlier this year.

Turkey has certified the Hürkus-II military training aircraft as safe and airworthy, marking the first time this process was conducted entirely by Turkish personnel. The certification involved verifying 1,790 requirements and conducting 153 tests. This achievement is seen as a strategic milestone for the Turkish aviation industry and enhances Turkey's capabilities in developing future air platforms.

Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) unveiled the CBWP heavy infantry fighting vehicle at the Kielce exhibition in 2026. The vehicle, which weighs approximately 40 tonnes, offers enhanced protection compared to the Borsuk IFV and features advanced armament, including a 30 mm cannon and Spike LR missiles. The project is in a critical development phase, with plans for further testing and prototype development.

Two Italian Eurofighter jets shot down an unidentified drone over Lithuania after it violated airspace shortly after midnight. The operation was conducted from Šiauliai Air Base and marks the second such interception in a month. The drone is suspected to have entered from Belarus, although its armament status remains unclear.

Russia has begun supplying Iran with upgraded munitions and targeting data, enhancing Iran's military capabilities amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. This partnership includes the production of Shahed drones in Russia and the development of hypersonic missiles. The collaboration poses a significant threat to U.S. forces in the region, with increased sophistication in Iranian drone attacks expected.

Russia increased its drone operations by launching 102 Shahed drones overnight on September 14, 2026, while Ukraine is developing faster interceptors to counter this threat. The introduction of jet variants of the Shahed drones alters the dynamics of the air war, as they can evade detection and engage Ukrainian defenses more effectively. Ukraine continues to target Russian military infrastructure, including radar systems.

Dmitri VolkovTue Sep 15 2026Loading...

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has introduced advanced uncrewed aircraft systems, including the FQ-42A and Wildfire, to enhance U.S. military capabilities in high-tech warfare. The MQ-9B has been upgraded for long-range operations, while the Mojave STOL can operate from unprepared locations. The Gambit Series is designed for various military missions, reflecting the evolving needs of modern combat environments.

Canada is reviewing its fighter aircraft procurement plans, considering a mix of 88 Lockheed Martin F-35A and Saab Gripen E fighters. The F-35A scored 57.1 out of 60 points for military capability, significantly outperforming the Gripen E, which scored 19.8. The acquisition cost for the fighter project has risen to C$27.7 billion, excluding additional infrastructure costs. Saab is prepared to support Canada with Gripen production and training if selected.

Oklahoma National Guard tested wire mesh cage armor on convoy vehicles during Exercise Thunderstruck 3.0 at Camp Gruber Training Center on September 12, 2023. The exercise focused on unmanned systems and drone threats, integrating both friendly and simulated adversary drones. The cage armor aims to protect vehicles from drone attacks by detonating or deflecting warheads before they reach the hull.

South Korea is developing its own nuclear-powered submarines under the Chang Bogo N Project, with plans to launch the first vessel in the mid-2030s. The South Korean government has allocated $74.4 million for initial research and design, aiming to enhance its naval capabilities in response to North Korea's military advancements. The submarines will utilize low-enriched uranium and will not be equipped with nuclear weapons, focusing instead on monitoring North Korean threats and protecting trade routes in the Indo-Pacific.

Denmark is expanding its fleet of Leopard 2 tank transporters by adding 15 units in 2026. This enhancement aims to improve the armored mobility of the Danish Armed Forces and NATO forces.

Pratt & Whitney has licensed Hermeus to produce the F100-PW-229 turbofan engine in National Harbor, enhancing the defense industrial base amid rising demand. This agreement supports the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft project and anticipates a peak demand of over 180 engines annually by fiscal year 2034. Hermeus is also developing the Quarterhorse drone and a new turbine-based combined cycle engine.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is hosting an Industry Day on September 30 in Arlington, Virginia, to discuss the BEAMERS program, which focuses on developing next-generation electronic-support systems. The event will feature classified presentations and is limited to U.S. citizens with a SECRET clearance. Registration is capped at 120 attendees, and foreign nationals must submit additional documentation to attend. No formal solicitation for the program has been issued yet.