Analysis & Reports

USS Kentucky was constructed by the U.S. Navy in Norfolk, Virginia, but was never commissioned, remaining 72% complete by 1958. The Navy spent $55 million on the battleship before abandoning the project, and its hull was later sold for $1,176,666. Kentucky's intended armament included nine 16-inch guns, but it was ultimately repurposed for parts after its construction ceased.

Congress voted to prohibit the retirement of F-22 Raptors until September 30, 2032, in response to concerns over the aging fighter fleet and advancements in stealth technology by Russia and China. The U.S. Air Force currently has 183 operational F-22 Raptors, down from 187, as it prepares for future capabilities with the development of the F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance fighter.

A B-52 Stratofortress crashed at Edwards AFB, California, on June 15, 2026, killing all eight crew members. The incident occurred during a test flight for the B-52 radar modernization program, which is crucial for upgrading the aircraft's capabilities. The crash has caused significant delays in the program, which aims to complete upgrades by 2033.

Cavalry scouts from the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, are training with new drone technology that significantly enhances reconnaissance capabilities. This modernization effort, known as Pegasus Charge, aims to integrate advanced systems into military operations, reducing reconnaissance time from an hour to as little as 5-15 minutes. The division is also testing new armored vehicles to improve command post mobility and effectiveness in combat scenarios.

US defense contractors are adapting to a growing European demand for ITAR-free weapons, as European governments express concerns over US control of weapon sales. This shift is driven by a desire for greater defense sovereignty and is reflected in the increasing opposition to ITAR restrictions. The German Navy is expected to receive MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones by 2028, highlighting ongoing developments in European defense capabilities.

USS New York, a battleship commissioned in 1914, served in both World Wars and participated in significant operations including the bombardment of North Africa during Operation Torch. The ship was involved in nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll in 1946 and was decommissioned in 1946 after a distinguished service record. It had a final displacement of 34,000 tons and was armed with ten 14-inch guns.

The U.S. Army is conducting tests of four vendors' loitering munitions at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, as part of the Low Altitude Stalking and Striking Ordnance (LASSO) initiative. This program aims to equip infantry soldiers with portable drone systems capable of targeting enemy tanks by summer 2028. The testing includes safety validations and evaluations of the systems' reliability and effectiveness.

The U.S. Army successfully conducted a live-fire test of a hypersonic warhead at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, on July 30, 2026. This test utilized a cannon-based system developed in collaboration with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The initiative aims to assess the lethality of hypersonic warheads more efficiently than traditional rocket-based methods. Following rigorous safety reviews, the test confirmed the warhead's performance as predicted, marking a significant advancement in hypersonic weapon testing capabilities.

The U.S. Marine Corps confirmed plans to negotiate with Anduril Industries for counter-drone equipment for its Amphibious Combat Vehicle fleet on August 3, 2026. The acquisition aims to address an urgent operational gap in detecting and defeating drone threats. The Marine Corps seeks the Pulsar Lite MKI-RX/TX 4CH system, which will enhance the vehicle's capabilities against small drones. This decision follows a precedent set by the Army's previous contracts with Anduril for similar systems.

The U.S. Army issued a Call for Solutions on August 3, 2026, for a new battalion-level reconnaissance drone that must be portable and capable of carrying weapons and medical supplies. Proposals are due by August 28, 2026, as part of a push to enhance reconnaissance capabilities at the battalion level. The specifications include strict weight limits and operational requirements to ensure rapid deployment and effectiveness in modern warfare.

BL Harbert International LLC was awarded a $37.6 million contract to construct a Special Access Program Facility at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to support international training for F-35 and F-16 jets. The facility is expected to be completed by January 31, 2029, and will provide secure workspace for mission planning and training. The base will host up to 36 F-35s and 12 F-16s as part of a broader military training initiative.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced on August 3, 2023, agreements with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin to enhance production capacity for the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles and THAAD missile defense system. This initiative aims to double the production of Patriot missiles and triple that of THAAD systems to stabilize the supply chain for interceptor systems.

The Rim of the Pacific military exercise concluded on July 31, 2023, at Pearl Harbor, involving 30,000 personnel from 30 countries. The exercise tested new weapons and logistics systems, highlighting U.S. naval power with the Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier at its core. Concerns about U.S. reliability in military commitments were raised amid troop withdrawals from Asia, prompting allies to increase military spending.

The U.S. Army is accelerating the development of counter-drone systems (C-UAS) in response to the increasing threat posed by armed drones, as highlighted by experiences from the Ukraine conflict. Seventeen defense companies evaluated emerging non-kinetic counter-drone technologies during a recent exercise in Virginia. This initiative underscores the urgency for modern military capabilities to adapt to complex aerial threats.

The B-36 Peacemaker Bomber, developed by Convair, had a range exceeding 10,000 miles and could carry 86,000 pounds of bombs. It played a crucial role during World War II and later served as a nuclear weapons delivery system in the Cold War. The bomber was notable for its six Pratt & Whitney R-4360 engines and was capable of conducting reconnaissance missions along the Soviet borders.

The U.S. has signed a deal with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to increase production of missile parts as Patriot interceptor stocks have fallen to under 1,000. This shortage is impacting military planning, particularly regarding potential actions in Iran and support for Ukraine. The U.S. has also expended a significant portion of its Tomahawk cruise missile stock since the onset of the conflict in Iran, with replenishment expected to take several years.

General Dynamics Electric Boat is expanding its workforce to build the next nuclear submarine fleet, with plans to hire 8,000 new workers in 2026. The company received a $76.6 billion contract to construct nine Virginia-class and five Columbia-class submarines. This expansion is crucial for maintaining the U.S. Navy's undersea capabilities and involves significant logistical operations across multiple locations in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

USS Wisconsin (BB-64) served in three wars from 1944 to 1991, providing naval gunfire support and screening for aircraft carriers. The battleship fired 977 rounds during the Korean War and launched 26 Tomahawk missiles during Operation Desert Storm. It was decommissioned on September 30, 1991, and is now a museum ship in Norfolk, Virginia.

K2 Space was awarded a $22.9 million contract by the U.S. Space Force to host tests of new laser-link terminals as part of the Enterprise Space Terminal program. This contract, announced on July 31, 2023, will run through 2028 and involves the integration of these terminals with K2's satellite buses. The initiative aims to enhance satellite-to-satellite communications for missile warning and tracking systems.

XTEND produced seven robotic platforms across its global manufacturing facilities in Florida, Virginia, Singapore, Latvia, and Israel on August 3, 2026. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the company's growth strategy, leveraging its proprietary XOS operating system to unify operations across diverse missions. The production reflects XTEND's evolution into a global physical AI platform company, supporting increasing demand for intelligent robotic systems.