Analysis & Reports

Iranian strikes damaged multiple American military aircraft at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan this week. An A-10 Thunderbolt II was left with a missing wing, while eight F-15s sustained light damage. Since the conflict began in February, 42 U.S. military aircraft have been lost or damaged, and 18 U.S. service members have been killed.

Japan's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) has successfully fired over 100 rounds from its electromagnetic railgun without needing to replace the rails, achieving muzzle velocities between 2,230 and 2,300 meters per second. This advancement addresses previous durability issues faced by the US Navy's railgun program, which was discontinued after significant investment. Japan's railgun projectiles are also economically advantageous compared to traditional missile interceptors, enhancing its defense capabilities.

Top military leaders from the U.S. Air and Space Force are set to gather in Washington D.C. next week to discuss budget priorities and strategies related to the ongoing conflict in Iran. This follows the commencement of Operation Epic Fury, with significant focus on military modernization and funding challenges. Gen. Dan Caine highlighted the need for substantial funding to support military operations and equipment replacements, particularly for lost drones.

The Pentagon's Joint Interagency Task Force – 401 published a handbook on drone identification and defense tactics, providing troops with techniques to detect and counter drones. The guide includes practical advice on camouflage and drone engagement strategies, emphasizing the importance of adapting to evolving drone threats. This unclassified edition follows a classified version released last year and aims to enhance U.S. military readiness against drone incursions.

Alexander the Great, undefeated in battle, led the Macedonian Army to conquer regions including Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, Babylonia, and Persia by the age of 30. His leadership style, as encapsulated in his famous quote about lions and sheep, highlights the importance of effective leadership in military success. He died at 32, shortly after which his empire fell into chaos among his generals.

J-10 pilots from the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) emphasize the importance of tactical innovation and training to enhance combat effectiveness against advanced enemy aircraft. They have successfully adapted their strategies through experience and joint operations, demonstrating improved performance in air combat scenarios. The unit continues to evolve in response to the changing dynamics of aerial warfare in China.

The U.S. Air Force continues to operate the F-117 Nighthawk, which was retired in 2008, and plans to keep it flying until 2034. The aircraft, originally developed at a cost of approximately $6.56 billion, has been used for various military operations, including nearly 1,300 missions during Operation Desert Storm. In September 2021, the Air Force resumed flying a small number of F-117s for testing and training.

Houthi forces captured the Red Sea port city of Mocha on Thursday, forcing government-aligned troops to withdraw to Dhubab. The capture followed intense fighting and marked a significant advance for the Iran-backed group, which also seized the nearby district of Hais. The battle has displaced tens of thousands of people, with many fleeing toward government-held areas.

On February 28, 2026, Iran struck Naval Support Activity Bahrain with missiles and drones, prompting the U.S. Navy to relocate its logistics operations to Diego Garcia. USS Gerald R. Ford was deployed for a record 326 days, while USS Abraham Lincoln spent 264 days without a port visit. The Navy is preparing USS Theodore Roosevelt for deployment, implementing lessons learned from previous deployments to address logistical challenges and improve sailor conditions.

In November 2009, during a multinational exercise at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, a French Rafale successfully engaged a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor in close-range combat. The exercise aimed to test the F-22's capabilities under conditions that negated its stealth advantage. The Rafale managed to acquire a firing position and simulate an attack using an infrared-guided MICA missile, demonstrating the potential vulnerabilities of the F-22 in visual-range engagements.

The U.S. Air Force conducted a test flight of a modified Embraer 170 over the Pacific Ocean last month, successfully demonstrating a new quantum navigation system called MagNav. This system, which utilizes Earth's magnetic signatures, improved navigation accuracy by 89% compared to traditional methods. The Pentagon plans to further test this technology on a C-17 later this year.

Terrorist groups, including ISIS and Boko Haram, are increasingly using AI to enhance their operational capabilities and improve the effectiveness of conventional attacks. Notable incidents include the use of ChatGPT in the January 2025 Las Vegas bombing and AI-assisted planning by Boko Haram. The report highlights the growing threat posed by AI-enabled terrorism, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to address these risks.

Israeli Defense Forces conducted a strike on October 7 in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, killing Ismail Ibrahim Darwish Kandil, a member of Hamas' Nukhba unit. Kandil was reportedly involved in the October 7 attack that led to the death of an IDF commander. Hamas has not yet responded to this incident.

The U.S. Navy is advancing its laser weapon systems, successfully demonstrating the Solid State Laser aboard the USS Portland in the Gulf of Aden on December 14, 2021. This initiative aims to enhance air defense by providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional missiles, which are expensive and limited in number. The Navy's ongoing efforts reflect a long-term goal to integrate high-energy lasers into its fleet.

General Atomics unveiled the Wildfire drone in Washington, designed to replace the MQ-9A Reaper. The Wildfire is capable of long-endurance reconnaissance and strike missions, exceeding Pentagon requirements with a ferry range over 8,000 nautical miles. It can carry two Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles and is expected to be delivered earlier than the FY2031 timeline, targeting a cost of around $10 million per unit.

Russian deep-sea specialists from GUGI tested covert capabilities to disable undersea cables near Svalbard in September 2026. NATO forces tracked and confronted the Russian vessels, preventing the completion of the exercise. This rehearsal highlights the military importance of undersea infrastructure and NATO's response capabilities in the Arctic region.

Alexandra ReevesThu Sep 10 2026Loading...

Julius Caesar was captured by pirates, negotiated a higher ransom, and later organized a naval force to defeat them. He conquered Gaul, solidifying his military reputation, and crossed the Rubicon to take control of Rome, becoming dictator for life. His actions had lasting political implications for the Roman Republic.

Julius Caesar demonstrated strategic military and political skills from 100 BC to 44 BC, notably negotiating his ransom from pirates and later conquering Gaul. He crossed the Rubicon, asserting control over Rome, and was ultimately assassinated on the Ides of March. His legacy includes significant military achievements and political reforms.

WB Group unveiled the Gladius 2 jet-powered strike drone in Kielce, Poland, in May 2026. The drone features a turbojet engine for fast deployment and carries a 30 kg warhead. It is designed to integrate with the Gladius reconnaissance-strike system, enhancing Poland's military capabilities.

Four defense-tech companies integrated and tested a counter-drone system at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, during the Pentagon exercise Falcon Peak 26.2. The system included AI-enabled sensors, unmanned helicopters, and Ukrainian-made interceptor drones. This integration marked a significant advancement in counter-drone technology, with the system successfully engaging drones during testing.