Analysis & Reports

HD Hyundai and Kiewit Maritime Co. announced plans to establish a new shipyard in the United States, aiming to produce US Navy auxiliary and commercial vessels. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with full operations expected by 2029, creating approximately 3,000 full-time jobs. This joint venture is part of South Korea's broader investment strategy in US projects, including significant funding for shipbuilding.

The U.S. Air Force is implementing AI technology to enhance aerial refueling operations. The AI system will analyze refueling events and provide feedback to improve crew performance. The KC-46 tanker will utilize a remote vision system for this purpose, with applications due by November 25. This initiative aims to reduce human error and enhance mission readiness.

The Military Spouse Commission proposed cutting or eliminating tolls for service members commuting to MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. Troops at the base currently benefit from a 50% reduction in toll fees, saving them $1,500 annually. The commission aims to use this as a template for similar initiatives at other military bases across the U.S. The Pentagon has not commented on the proposal's potential expansion.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced preparations for a large-scale military operation in the West Bank on October 23, 2023. The operation, the largest since 1967, will involve evacuating residents and searching homes for weapons. This follows an attack near Hebron that resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers. The Israeli Defense Forces have confirmed their readiness for the operation and have implemented a full lockdown of the West Bank.

Natilus secured a $3.5 million contract from the Air Force to develop its blended wing body aircraft, the KONA, aimed at military cargo transport. The aircraft is designed for sub-tactical lift missions in the Indo-Pacific and features an 85-foot wingspan. Production is planned at five aircraft per month, with a first flight expected by late next year or early 2028.

Red Cat Holdings’ Blue Ops opened orders for two new uncrewed surface vessels, the B-18 and B-39, on October 22, 2026, in Valdosta, Georgia. The B-18 is designed for reconnaissance and one-way attack missions, while the B-39 is intended for longer missions with enhanced capabilities. The B-26 is already in full-rate production, and Red Cat plans to produce over 100 USVs in 2026.

Texas startup Warhound plans to clone and gene-edit military dogs for the U.S. military, law enforcement, and emergency responders. The initiative, backed by a $200 million seed round, aims to address supply issues in the military's working dog program. The first group of gene-edited dogs is expected to be born early next year, with service entry anticipated in about two years. Warhound's approach includes protective gear and health-focused gene edits to enhance the dogs' capabilities.

L3Harris Technologies is enhancing power systems for U.S. Navy submarines to accommodate advanced technologies like directed energy weapons. The company is involved in the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program, which will replace the Ohio-class submarines. L3Harris has received a contract worth up to $129.9 million for modular mast production and is investing in power technologies to meet the growing demands of the Navy's advanced platforms.

The U.S. Army has begun flight testing four MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopters at Dugway Proving Ground and Redstone Arsenal, repurposing them from Navy retirement for sensor testing. This initiative, which started with a request in November 2024, has saved the Army over $70 million in procurement costs. The Navy's divestment of the MQ-8C began in February 2024, with the final retirement expected by the end of fiscal 2026.

The U.S. Navy is procuring an additional AN/SPN-50 shipboard air traffic control radar from Saab under a $14.3 million contract. The radar will be produced at Saab's facility in East Syracuse, New York, and is scheduled for completion by June 2028. This acquisition is part of the Navy's plan to replace older radar systems and enhance air traffic control capabilities around aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships.

The U.S. Air Force expanded the life cycle support contract for the GBU-53/B StormBreaker to $950 million, extending work at Raytheon's Tucson plant through December 31, 2030. This modification allows for increased orders of the precision-guided bomb, which is operational on the F-15E and F/A-18E/F, with ongoing integration on the F-35. The StormBreaker is designed to engage moving targets in challenging conditions and has international customers.

The U.S. Army awarded Longbow LLC a $419.6 million contract for fire control radar systems and support for the AH-64 Apache helicopter, announced on October 22, 2026. This contract, which runs through January 31, 2032, includes logistics management and support for both U.S. and international Apache fleets. Longbow LLC, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, has previously supplied radar systems to various foreign militaries.

The Pentagon announced plans to purchase at least 850 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin over the next decade, marking the largest contract in the program's history. This preliminary agreement, which requires Congressional authorization for funding, includes Lockheed Martin's commitment of at least $7 billion to support the project. The total cost of the agreement is estimated to be at least $78 billion, pending Congressional approval.

Australia is sending 300 personnel to participate in the joint military exercise 'Keen Sword 2026' alongside approximately 45,000 Japanese and 11,000 U.S. personnel. The exercise, taking place in Japan and surrounding maritime areas from October 19 to October 29, 2026, focuses on integrating naval, air, cyber, and space operations. It aims to enhance logistical coordination among the participating nations, including the U.S. Navy and Japan Self-Defense Forces.

Tanaka TakashiFri Oct 23 2026Loading...

The U.S. Air Force is developing the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile for the F-35, enhancing its air-to-air combat capabilities. This missile is designed to fit within the F-35's internal weapons bay and has a range exceeding 120 miles. The AIM-120D missile currently has a range of about 100 miles, while China's PL-15 missile can reach up to 186 miles. Testing of the AIM-260 is ongoing, with expectations for it to replace the AIM-120 AMRAAM.

The U.S. Air Force confirmed that 187 F-22 Raptors were built before production ceased in 2009. A 2016 study indicated that restarting production would incur $9.869 billion in start-up costs, with unit costs estimated between $206 million and $216 million. Instead of resuming F-22 production, the Air Force plans to enhance existing aircraft and integrate new weapons like the AIM-260 missile.

The Pentagon plans to expand military facilities in Greenland next year to support the deployment of transport and fighter aircraft and accommodate more troops. The expansion includes upgrades to airports in Mestersvig and Narsarsuaq, with a focus on enhancing capabilities for U.S. military operations. An agreement was signed on September 22 to establish new defense areas in Greenland.

The U.S. Space Force has prioritized cislunar space as a warfighting domain, planning to issue requests for information for commercial technology and AI software to enhance autonomous operations between Earth and the Moon. This strategic shift is in response to China's advancements in the area, with capabilities expected to be operational by the end of fiscal year 2029.

The U.S. Army is seeking new manufacturers to produce 155mm howitzer barrels due to increased demand, with a target of 10 barrels per month within three years. The current production facility, Watervliet Arsenal in New York, is unable to meet this demand, prompting the Army to explore additional manufacturing options and emergency funding. The deadline for contractor proposals is November 23, 2023.

The U.S. Army is seeking new manufacturers to produce 155mm howitzer barrels due to increased demand, with a deadline for proposals set for November 23, 2023. The Army aims for contractors to manufacture up to 10 barrels per month within three years, as the current facility, Watervliet Arsenal in New York, cannot keep up with demand. The Army is also exploring the potential replacement of the M777 howitzer.