Analysis & Reports

The U.S. Marine Corps is establishing a support contract valued between $50 million and $75 million for its kamikaze drone program, part of the Organic Precision Fires-Light (OPF-L) system. This initiative aims to enhance precision strike capabilities for frontline units, with fielding expected to start in September 2026. The contract will provide necessary engineering, logistics, and software support for the Marine Corps' fire support systems.

U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit bombers successfully conducted intercontinental round-trip combat sorties from Missouri to Iran during Operation Epic Fury, delivering precision-guided munitions without sustaining any losses. The B-2's ability to evade Iranian air defenses and operate under contested conditions demonstrated its unmatched survivability and effectiveness in modern combat. This operation also highlighted the importance of stealth and tactical integration with other military assets, paving the way for the upcoming B-21 Raider.

The U.S. Air Force is developing the B-21 Raider, a long-range stealth bomber, with plans to acquire 100 units. The B-21 is designed for high survivability and operational capability in contested environments, building on the successful operational history of the B-2 Spirit during recent conflicts. Testing of the B-21 is ongoing, with significant advancements in stealth technology and integration with other military platforms.

The Pentagon's DARPA launched the O-Circuit program in Arlington, Virginia, on April 10, 2023, focusing on using living neural tissue for drone navigation and other military applications. The initiative aims to develop biological processing units (BPUs) that can operate efficiently in low-power environments. The program will be tested in both simulated and real-world settings, with the first phase expected to start in November 2026.

The U.S. Space Force awarded a $1.843 billion contract to 14 companies for the Andromeda program, aimed at enhancing space domain awareness. This contract, announced on April 7, 2026, will support the development of systems to track and monitor objects in orbit. The work will be conducted at various facilities across the United States, reflecting a strategic investment in military space capabilities.

The U.S. Marine Corps opened a new integration lab in Charleston, South Carolina on March 17, 2025, to enhance the installation of systems on its Joint Light Tactical Vehicle fleet. The lab, operational since December 2025, aims to streamline the integration process, allowing for concurrent work on over 50 programs. It features dedicated testing bays and rapid prototyping tools to facilitate faster upgrades and reduce logistical burdens.

BAE Systems Australia was awarded a $163 million contract to sustain and upgrade the Royal Australian Navy's Anzac class frigate fleet, primarily from the Henderson shipyard in Perth. This seven-year contract, in partnership with BMT, positions them as the principal design authority for the fleet of ten frigates. The award signifies a commitment to enhancing Australia's naval capabilities and developing local industrial capacity.

USS Tripoli (LHA-7) conducted flight deck operations with 20 F-35B Lightning II jets at Naval Air Station North Island on April 7, 2022. The America-class amphibious assault ships, including USS Tripoli, are engineered for advanced airpower projection and can deploy with up to 15 F-35Bs. These ships are evolving to support multi-domain operations and unmanned systems in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. Air Force is developing the B-21 Raider Bomber, designed with open architecture to integrate future weapons and technologies. This bomber will control drones, relay satellite data, and serve as a command-and-control hub. Enhanced data analytics capabilities will support rapid decision-making in combat. Cyber resilience measures are being implemented to secure the aircraft's data networks.

US Air Forces Central (AFCENT) awarded a contract for up to $270 million to Kraus Hamdani Aerospace for solar-powered K1000ULE drones in Washington. The drones, capable of 75-hour flights, will enhance military capabilities. This contract allows AFCENT to purchase as many drones as needed up to the specified limit, reflecting a growing interest in cost-effective drone technology following recent military engagements.

The B-1B Lancer conducted long-range strikes against Iranian targets during Operation Epic Fury, demonstrating its value as a missile carrier. Despite being slated for retirement, the aircraft has proven crucial in delivering precision strikes. The U.S. Air Force continues to assess the B-1B's role amid ongoing operations and the introduction of new bombers like the B-21 Raider.

American Rheinmetall revealed details about the Lynx XM30 infantry fighting vehicle, which is being developed for the U.S. Army's XM30 program. The Pentagon has requested $547 million for 19 units in fiscal year 2027, marking the transition from research to procurement. The Lynx XM30 features an unmanned turret with a 50mm cannon and is designed for autonomous operations, aiming to replace the aging Bradley vehicle.

The U.S. Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bomber program faced drastic reductions, with only 21 units produced due to the end of the Cold War and budget constraints. Originally designed for nuclear missions, the B-2's high costs and changing military needs led to its limited deployment. Despite its unique capabilities, the B-2 is being phased out in favor of the upcoming B-21 bomber, which aims to avoid the previous program's financial pitfalls.

The 75th U.S. Army Reserve Innovation Command completed research on the Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport Increment 2, gathering feedback from soldiers between May and October 2025. This study aimed to refine the requirements for the next-gen robotic load-carrying vehicle, addressing the physical burdens faced by infantry. The findings will inform the Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems as they advance the Increment 2 program.

The U.S. Army conducted a week-long demonstration of advanced airdrop and parachute systems at Yuma Proving Ground in March 2023, attended by over 300 participants from the U.S. and 11 partner nations. The event showcased new logistics technologies aimed at improving supply delivery in contested environments, including powered cargo systems and GPS-guided packages. Interoperability with the European A400M transport plane was also highlighted during the demonstration.

The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin an $11.4 million contract modification on April 7, 2026, to develop additional software for Israel's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fleet. The contract is funded by Israel through Foreign Military Sales and will primarily be executed in Fort Worth, Texas. This upgrade is crucial for maintaining the operational capabilities of Israel's F-35I Adir aircraft, which are among the most combat-experienced in the world.

The U.S. Army awarded Anduril Industries a $16.8 million contract for hardware and components supporting its Ghost-X drone systems on April 1, 2025. The contract includes the Trillium HD45LP turret, enhancing the drone's surveillance capabilities. The estimated completion date for the contract is May 1, 2026, with specific work locations to be determined with each order.

The U.S. Army issued a request for information on April 7, 2026, seeking industry solutions for AI systems to automatically detect explosive hazards and battlefield obstacles. This initiative aims to enhance safety for combat engineers during missions. Proposals are due by May 15, 2026, and will be evaluated at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, against real field conditions.

The Secure World Foundation reports that 13 nations are developing counterspace capabilities, with increasing jamming of GPS and satellite communications. Germany is notably expanding its military space program, while Russia and North Korea are actively jamming GPS signals. The US, Russia, and China possess significant electronic warfare capabilities, and there is a trend towards developing 'bodyguard' satellites to protect military assets.

General Dynamics Land Systems secured a $450 million contract from the U.S. Marine Corps for the development of the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV). The contract includes finalizing the vehicle's design and building prototypes for government testing. This initiative is part of the Marine Corps' efforts to modernize its reconnaissance capabilities, particularly for distributed operations in coastal and island environments.