Analysis & Reports
AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources
National Guard team clinches award for clawed drone at Army competition
The Army National Guard’s 28th Infantry Division won the Best Innovation award at the U.S. Army’s inaugural Best Drone Warfighter Competition in Huntsville, Alabama, this week. They developed Project RED, a drone designed to retrieve downed unmanned aircraft using a robotic claw. The team received recognition and support from Army leadership, highlighting their innovative capabilities.
Israeli Army Launches Attack on Palestinian Refugee Camp in Southern Lebanon
Israeli Defense Forces conducted airstrikes on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon, Lebanon, targeting a Hamas command center on October 20. This facility was reportedly used by Hamas to prepare for attacks against Israeli forces in Lebanon. No response from Hamas has been reported.
The New U.S. Air Force F-47 NGAD Stealth Fighter Might Have Just Broke Cover
Pratt & Whitney unveiled an update on the XA103 adaptive-cycle engine, revealing a notional design of the F-47 fighter, part of the U.S. Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance program, on February 17, 2026. The design emphasizes extreme stealth and maneuverability, with Boeing selected to develop the aircraft in March 2025. The first flight is scheduled for 2028, aiming to maintain U.S. air superiority against advanced adversaries.
EXCLUSIVE: Air Force to approve T-7 trainer production within days
The U.S. Air Force is preparing to approve the production of the T-7 Red Hawk training jet within days, following years of delays. The first operational capability is targeted for November 2027, with two aircraft already delivered to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Boeing is committed to the program, which aims to replace the aging T-38 Talon.
Sailor found dead at Naval Station Great Lakes
Seaman Apprentice Joshua Jones was found dead in his barracks at the U.S. Navy Surface Combat Systems Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois, on February 8, 2025. The Lake County Coroner's Office reported he was discovered unresponsive at 11:30 a.m. The cause of death is currently unknown, with investigations ongoing, and suicide is not suspected. The Navy is providing grief counseling services to support personnel during this time.
105mm Monster: The 1,200 Horsepower ‘Super’ M60 Main Battle Tank Was Truly One Of A Kind
Teledyne Continental Motors developed the Super M60 main battle tank prototype in 1978 to enhance the M60 series against modern anti-tank threats. The prototype featured a 1,200 hp engine and advanced armor but failed to attract export customers, resulting in only one unit being built. The program was ultimately sidelined by the end of the Cold War.
How the F-35 Fighter ‘Saved’ the F-16 Fighting Falcon
The F-16 Fighting Falcon has undergone significant upgrades, including the integration of the AN/APG-83 AESA radar, enhancing its capabilities for air defense and interception. These upgrades extend its service life to 12,000 hours and improve its multi-role versatility. The aircraft remains operationally viable and is utilized by the U.S. Air Force and allied nations for various missions, despite its lack of stealth compared to newer models like the F-35.
The U.S. Air Force’s B-1B Lancer ‘Bone’ Bomber Is Fighting In a World It Was Never Designed to Fly In
In early 2026, the U.S. Air Force's B-1B Lancer bombers are being upgraded to a 'Super Bomber' configuration, enhancing their missile capacity by 50% to carry up to 31 long-range standoff weapons. This transformation is part of a $50 million budget initiative aimed at countering advanced air defense systems from China and Russia. The B-1B will continue to play a crucial role in U.S. military operations until the B-21 Raider becomes fully operational in the 2030s.
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Fighter Pilots Complained of Strange ‘Hypoxia-like’ Symptoms
Between 2008 and 2011, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor pilots reported hypoxia-like symptoms, prompting investigations and a fleet grounding. A faulty valve in the Combat Edge pressure vest was identified as the main issue, leading to operational limits and safety measures. The Air Force has since modernized the F-22, ensuring its viability through the 2030s.
‘Sunk By Their Own Ammo’: The U.S. Navy’s Zumwalt-Class Stealth Destroyer Failure
The USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) has transitioned from a failed littoral gunship to a primary platform for global hypersonic strike after removing its Advanced Gun System. The destroyer successfully completed sea trials in early 2026 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and is now equipped with the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) system, making it the first ship capable of launching maneuver-capable payloads at speeds exceeding Mach 5. Two sister ships are set to undergo similar retrofits by 2027.
Trump says he is considering limited strikes on Iran
U.S. President Trump is considering limited military strikes against Iran if an agreement is not reached by the set deadline. During a breakfast meeting with governors at the White House on February 20, he indicated that military action is on the table. Reports suggest that the U.S. military could initiate these strikes within days to compel Iran to make concessions.
As Dems push for briefing on El Paso incident, experts warn it could be the ‘tip of the iceberg’
On February 11, 2023, the FAA imposed a 10-day flight restriction over El Paso International Airport due to alleged drone incursions, later attributed to party balloons. Customs and Border Patrol deployed anti-drone technology without proper coordination with the FAA, prompting concerns from lawmakers and experts about interagency communication failures. The incident highlights potential future challenges in managing drone threats and airspace security as the Pentagon expands its counter-drone authorities.
152mm Monster: The U.S. Army’s M60A2 ‘Starship’ Tank Summed Up in 2 Words
The U.S. Army produced 526 units of the M60A2 'Starship' tank in the 1970s, featuring a 152mm gun-launcher and MGM-51 Shillelagh missile capability. However, it was phased out by 1981 due to reliability issues and operational complexity. The tank's design aimed to bridge the M60 and MBT-70, but it ultimately proved to be a disappointment in service.
U.S. Navy clears StormBreaker weapon for Super Hornet fleet
The U.S. Navy approved the StormBreaker smart weapon for operational use on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet on February 20, 2026. This approval enhances the Navy's precision strike capabilities, allowing engagement of mobile targets in adverse weather. StormBreaker is the only operational smart weapon that can engage both moving and stationary targets in all weather conditions, increasing the lethality of the Super Hornet fleet.
Russian strategic bombers complete planned flight in the Bering Sea with foreign aircraft accompanying.
Two Tu-95MS strategic bombers from the Russian Aerospace Forces completed a planned flight over the Bering Sea, lasting over 14 hours, escorted by Su-35S and Su-30SM fighters. During the flight, foreign aircraft accompanied the bombers at certain stages. NORAD reported detecting multiple Russian military aircraft in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, confirming that these aircraft remained in international airspace.
‘Time Travel’: SR-71 Pilot Recalls Blackbird Flying So Fast It Landed at Beale AFB Almost Day Before Taking off From Kadena AB
The SR-71 Blackbird conducted high-speed reconnaissance missions, flying from Kadena Air Base in Japan to Beale Air Force Base in California. It operated at speeds exceeding Mach 3.2 and was never shot down. The aircraft was retired in the late 1990s due to high costs and the advent of satellite technology, creating an intelligence gap that the upcoming SR-72 aims to fill.
Russian strategic bombers complete planned flight in the Bering Sea with foreign aircraft accompanying.
Two Tu-95MS strategic bombers from the Russian Aerospace Forces completed a planned flight over the Bering Sea on October 20, lasting over 14 hours. The mission was escorted by Su-35S and Su-30SM fighter jets, with foreign aircraft accompanying them at certain stages. These flights are part of regular operations in international airspace, adhering to international flight rules.
The Largest U.S. Military Reinforcement Since 2003: Strategic Implications for the Gulf Security System
The U.S. has deployed an unprecedented military presence in the Middle East, including 18 F-35 fighters and two aircraft carriers, amid rising tensions with Iran. This deployment, which includes advanced air and naval assets, is intended to enhance U.S. military readiness and provide a defensive umbrella for Gulf Cooperation Council states. The buildup occurs concurrently with diplomatic negotiations regarding Iran's uranium enrichment program.
Ahmed Al-RashidFri Feb 20 2026Loading...The American Military Buildup in the Gulf: An Analysis of the Largest Combat Deployment Since the 2003 Invasion of Iraq
The U.S. is conducting a major military buildup in the Gulf region, deploying significant naval and air forces, including USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln. This operation aims to pressure Iran regarding ongoing nuclear negotiations. F-22 Raptors and F-35As have been repositioned to bases in the region, while Iran has issued threats against U.S. naval forces. The situation reflects heightened tensions and strategic military posturing in the area.
Ahmed Al-RashidFri Feb 20 2026Loading...F-22 Raptors, F-35 Raptors and B-2 Bombers: U.S. Air Power Is On a Mission To Dominate
The U.S. Air Force deployed dozens of fighter jets, including F-22 Raptors and F-35As, to the Gulf, demonstrating operational readiness. On January 31, 2025, the 1st Fighter Wing conducted an Elephant Walk at Langley Air Force Base. This buildup of air power follows the successful Operation Midnight Hammer, where B-2 Spirits targeted Iranian nuclear sites. U-2 spy planes are also involved in intelligence missions, indicating a strategic pivot towards air-centric dominance in the region.
