Analysis & Reports

USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) entered dry dock at Navantia’s shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, on October 7, 2023, for planned maintenance and modernization. This marks the first dry-docking of a U.S. destroyer in Europe since the Navy began stationing them there over a decade ago. The operation enhances U.S. Navy's forward-deployed maintenance capabilities in Europe, allowing for critical maintenance work to be conducted closer to operational areas.

Raytheon was awarded a $6.3 billion contract on October 8, 2026, for the production and sustainment of Standard Missile-3 Block IB interceptors. The contract, part of agreements with the Department of War, aims to replenish missile defense inventories critical for U.S. forces and allies. Production will primarily take place in Tucson, Arizona, and Huntsville, Alabama, enhancing the U.S. Navy's missile defense capabilities.

The U.S. Marine Corps selected SteerBridge Strategies on October 8, 2023, to develop AI tools for predicting aircraft maintenance needs and managing aviation spare parts. This initiative aims to enhance logistics and operational efficiency within Marine aviation units. The Marine Corps is already testing AI systems with KC-130J tanker data to improve maintenance assessments.

Raytheon received a multiyear contract worth up to $6.3 billion from the U.S. Department of War and Missile Defense Agency to build and sustain SM-3 Block IB interceptors. The contract, which runs for five years with two additional option years, allows immediate work commencement while final terms are negotiated. Production will primarily take place in Tucson, Arizona, and Huntsville, Alabama, supporting the replenishment of missile defense stocks used in recent conflicts.

Raytheon secured a $6.3 billion multi-year contract for the production of Standard Missile-3 Block IB missiles in Washington. The contract, which has a base value of $4.4 billion, aims to ensure production certainty and address manufacturing bottlenecks. The SM-3 Block IB is designed to intercept short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles and is part of a broader effort to enhance U.S. missile defense capabilities.

Veterans face an average wait of nearly two months for initial dental appointments at VA health clinics, significantly longer than the 14-day wait for established patients. The VA has awarded a $30 billion contract to Optum Serve to transition to a national dental network aimed at improving service delivery and reducing wait times. Currently, only 26% of veterans are eligible for dental care, despite record numbers of appointments completed.

BLADE's Hunter WOLF unmanned ground vehicle has been selected for Phase II of the GroundBreaker 1 demonstration at Camp Grafton, North Dakota, from October 19-23, 2023. The vehicle will be evaluated for its technology maturity and operational readiness by military evaluators. Hunter WOLF is designed to support various military missions and has been operationally used in Ukraine.

Lockheed Martin and Raytheon announced an increase in Javelin missile production capacity, nearly doubling it over the past two years to meet military demand. The production ramp includes the Lightweight Command Launch Unit, enhancing target detection and recognition. This effort is part of a larger contract awarded in May 2025, with significant investments in modernization and production capabilities.

SAPA Transmission is developing a 32-speed transmission architecture to enhance the efficiency and adaptability of military vehicles, including the XM30 advanced infantry combat vehicle. This technology aims to address the growing demands of modern combat vehicles, ensuring they can support advanced capabilities and increased power requirements. The development is part of a broader effort to revitalize the U.S. defense industrial base, with implications for logistics and operational readiness.

The Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) 401 conducted the Falcon Peak exercise at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, testing counter-drone technologies under extreme desert conditions. The exercise provided critical data on system durability and operator usability, which will inform U.S. Central Command's operational strategies. Key findings included the need for a layered defense against drone threats and adaptations to equipment for harsh environmental conditions.

The U.S. Air Force is revamping inspection procedures for F-16 engines following two crashes linked to unrepaired damage in the Pratt & Whitney F100 engine. The new inspection process will allow mechanics to check the 4th and 5th stages of the engine on-wing after foreign object debris incidents, improving safety and maintenance efficiency. This change is part of a broader effort to address safety concerns and enhance the reliability of the F-16 fleet.

Congressional researchers scrutinize the U.S. Marine Corps' Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs) regarding their vulnerability to drones, referencing lessons from Ukraine. The Marine Corps awarded a contract to Anduril for a counter-UAS system to enhance ACV protection. Plans to expand personnel may require additional ACVs, with current orders totaling 608 vehicles. BAE received a $230 million contract for 32 ACV-Rs, and the Navy is seeking $237 million for ACV upgrades in fiscal 2027.

The U.S. Army opened five military test ranges to approved companies to accelerate innovation and technology development for military applications. The U.S. Air Force is exploring a similar initiative, collaborating with the Army to understand how to facilitate industry access to test ranges. This move aims to significantly reduce the time required for testing military technologies, enhancing efficiency in defense innovation.

Gecko Robotics is deploying its robotics and AI software at Anduril's new Arsenal-2 shipyard in Baltimore County, Maryland, to conduct non-destructive testing on submarine parts. This initiative is part of a $6.6 billion investment by Anduril to manufacture components for Virginia-class submarines, with operations expected to begin in 2030. Additionally, Anduril will also manufacture submarine parts at a facility in Orange County, California.

The USS Gerald R. Ford's Advanced Weapons Elevators faced significant operational challenges, with only two of eleven elevators functional in 2019, leading to deployment limitations. By December 2021, all elevators were operational, but 68 failures were recorded in 14,842 cycles by 2022. These issues highlight the technical complexities of the Ford-class carriers and are influencing the development of the upcoming John F. Kennedy (CVN-79).

HMS Daring underwent extensive repairs at Portsmouth from 2017 to 2023 after experiencing propulsion issues during deployment. Despite completing the Power Improvement Project, the destroyer could not return to service due to crew shortages. The Royal Navy has faced significant challenges in maintaining operational readiness, with only three of six Type 45 destroyers currently available.

The U.S. Army updated its LOADOUT software to enhance military logistics, incorporating lessons from Operation Epic Fury. The upgrades, developed by the Combined Arms Support Command at Fort Lee, Virginia, aim to streamline cargo and troop movement tracking. Key features include customizable dashboards and real-time transportation capacity displays. The updates were reviewed on September 24, 2023, with plans for further enhancements, including integration with the ARTEMIS capability suite.

On October 8, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced the delivery of the first Iron Dome interceptor, produced entirely in the U.S., to Israel. The interceptor was manufactured in Arkansas by a joint venture between Raytheon and Rafael. This delivery marks a significant milestone as it establishes a complete production line for the Iron Dome outside of Israel, with plans for future production for the U.S. Marine Corps.

The U.S. Army has begun equipping its long-range missile battalions with heavy cranes, delivering two 40-ton all-terrain cranes to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in late August 2023. Six additional cranes are expected soon, with all eight operational by October 2026. These cranes will enable the 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery and 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery to perform maintenance and reloading operations independently, enhancing their operational capabilities in the Pacific region.

TOTE Services signed a contract with the U.S. Maritime Administration to manage the construction of a new missile-tracking ship in Philadelphia, scheduled for delivery in 2030. The ship will support the Golden Dome missile defense initiative and replace older vessels. TOTE's construction management model aims to reduce costs significantly and expedite the process.