Analysis & Reports

Blue Water Autonomy is testing its 800-ton autonomous surface vessel, Liberty Class, in San Diego and plans to enter production later this year in Louisiana. The U.S. Navy is preparing to evaluate these unmanned vessels as part of its strategy to integrate robotic and autonomous systems into naval operations. Additionally, the Pentagon is reforming its arms export processes to improve defense cooperation with foreign partners.

The U.S. Army successfully conducted a flight test of the Extended-Range Guided Multiple-Launch Rocket System at White Sands Missile Range. This test demonstrates advancements in missile technology and capabilities.

The Defense Innovation Unit is seeking firms to develop a drone capable of carrying fighter-sized munitions for long-range maritime strikes, with a range of 1400 nautical miles. This initiative addresses the growing threat of anti-ship weapons and the limitations of current naval strike capabilities. The drone must operate with minimal infrastructure and be ready for prototyping within a year, with responses due by February 27, 2023.

Raytheon successfully tested the Coyote Block 3NK, a non-kinetic counter-drone system designed to defeat drone swarms while minimizing collateral damage. This system can be recalled and redeployed after missions and is intended for use in urban environments. Raytheon has also received a major contract under the U.S. Army's LIDS program to enhance its counter-drone capabilities.

The U.S. Navy plans to develop the Trump-class battleships to overcome limitations of current destroyers, with construction expected to start in the early 2030s. Vice Adm. Brendan McLane emphasized the need for a larger hull to accommodate advanced weapon systems, including hypersonic missiles. The Navy anticipates a total of 20 to 25 ships, with initial costs estimated at nearly $21 billion for the first battleship.

The U.S. Marine Corps is advancing plans to field a drone wingman by 2026, focusing on the MUX TACAIR program to enhance the F-35's capabilities. The YFQ-42A drone has been selected for integration, with a task force established to streamline the development process. Key upcoming milestones include testing and the development of electronic warfare capabilities at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.

The U.S. Marine Corps is advancing plans to field a drone wingman by 2026, focusing on the MUX TACAIR program to enhance the F-35's capabilities. The YFQ-42A drone has been selected for integration, with a task force established to streamline the program's development. Key upcoming milestones include testing and the development of electronic warfare capabilities at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.

The U.S. Army issued a Request for Information to support market research for counter-drone systems for the Red Sands Hard Kill Challenge 2026, focusing on Group 1-3 small unmanned aerial systems. This initiative, led by U.S. Army Central Command and the U.S. Army Armaments Center, aims to evaluate innovative hard-kill solutions in realistic operational settings in Saudi Arabia and the continental United States. The Army seeks industry input to determine an acquisition strategy for addressing the growing threat posed by small drones.

The U.S. Air Force is acquiring Chimera small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) from Oak Grove Technologies for the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida, to meet urgent operational requirements. This procurement, justified as mission-critical, includes various supporting accessories and is based on a sole-source justification due to the exclusive rights held by Oak Grove Technologies. The acquisition aims to leverage existing expertise and training on the Chimera system.

The US Army and US Marine Corps have procured 22,000 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) by mid-2025, while France plans to acquire 2,000 Serval vehicles by 2035. Germany's Dingo vehicles, in service since 2000, total 1,200 units. The Turkish Vuran has been exported to seven countries since 2019. In May 2025, the US Army announced a halt to JLTV procurement, shifting focus to lighter vehicles.

The B-1B Lancer remains a vital component of the U.S. Air Force, undergoing modernization to enhance its capabilities against advanced air defenses. It is capable of launching standoff munitions from significant distances, ensuring its relevance in modern warfare. The aircraft is stationed at various bases, including Dyess Air Force Base and Guam, and continues to play a crucial role in U.S. military operations.

The 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, is training soldiers to operate over 150 small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) as part of an effort to integrate drones into tank formations. This initiative includes developing a qualification course for all soldiers, moving away from a select group of dedicated UAS operators. The division is focusing on UAS classified in groups 1 and 2, emphasizing a hunter-killer format for operations.

The U.S. Army is developing the M1E3 Abrams tank, which features a hybrid diesel-electric drive aimed at reducing its thermal and acoustic signatures. This new model is designed for silent operations and improved tactical versatility in urban and forested environments. The M1E3 is not officially labeled as a 'stealth tank' but incorporates advanced technologies for signature management, reflecting modern warfare needs.

Deliveries of C-130J aircraft to the US Air Force have been paused due to a technical issue with a communications upgrade. The problem, identified during testing, involves component incompatibility. No aircraft were delivered in the fourth quarter of 2025, and only two were delivered throughout the year. The Air Force has received funding for six new aircraft for the Air National Guard in the fiscal 2026 budget.

A Louisiana National Guardsman misplaced an M4 rifle in a hotel bathroom in New Orleans on Sunday. The rifle was subsequently returned to the Louisiana National Guard, and the soldier is undergoing retraining while the incident is reviewed. Approximately 350 National Guard troops are currently deployed in New Orleans for New Year’s celebrations.

The U.S. Navy is procuring 5,000 new helmets designed to alleviate neck and back pain for aviators, with deliveries expected between July and September 2023. The Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet, weighing 2.78 pounds, is intended to replace the heavier HGU-68/P helmet. A $22.6 million contract has been awarded for this procurement, with initial distributions planned for E-2D Hawkeye crews.

L3Harris demonstrated the integration of its Red Wolf missile system with the Sky Warden aircraft on February 9, 2026, in the United States. This integration enhances the aircraft's capabilities for close air support and precision strikes, allowing for rapid reconfiguration to meet mission needs. The Red Wolf missile is designed for long-range precision strikes and can be deployed from various platforms, with over 40 test flights conducted to validate its performance.

BAE Systems has been awarded contracts valued at $137 million to deliver AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems to allied countries. This contract is part of the U.S. Army's efforts to enhance missile warning capabilities for its allies.

Teledyne FLIR OEM launched the Neutrino SX8 ISR 50-1000 model in Goleta, California, designed for long-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. The system features advanced capabilities with the longest detection ranges in its series, supporting applications such as border surveillance and counter-UAS operations. It incorporates a high-resolution thermal sensor and is ready for integration with AI technologies.

Israel is enhancing its air defense capabilities by procuring Iron Beam systems to counter UAV threats, with operational capability expected by December 2025. The UAE is acquiring multi-layered counter UAV systems from Edge Group, while Qatar has secured a USD 1 billion contract for the FS-LIDS system from the US. Additionally, a Middle Eastern nation has contracted MBDA for the Sky Warden C-UAV system, and Saudi Arabia is evaluating Rheinmetall's Skyranger 30 system.