Analysis & Reports

Tiberius Aerospace secured a $500 million contract on 1 October 2026 for the development and deployment of Sceptre precision-guided munitions in Newport Beach. This contract marks the first scaled deployment of the Defense-as-a-Service model, involving collaboration with U.K. technology partners to enhance allied defense capabilities. The initiative aims to improve the industrial base and technological cooperation between the U.S. and U.K.

The U.S. Department of War launched Project Meridian on September 30, 2023, at Marine Corps Base Quantico, led by Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey. The project aims to study future warfare and identify necessary technologies, with findings expected by late January 2027. This initiative is part of a broader effort to secure American military dominance across future conflict domains.

NASA is seeking to restore the SR-71 Blackbird, making job offers to two retired engineers, Mike Relja and Tim Conners, who are in their seventies. This initiative follows nearly 27 years since the aircraft's last flight on October 9, 1999, and aims to leverage their expertise for potential supersonic flight research. The SR-71 has been on display at Edwards Air Force Base, California, since its retirement.

The Pentagon announced the creation of the Autonomous Warfare Command (AUTOWARCOM) to lead the development of robotic weapons by October 1, 2027. This initiative includes increasing munitions stockpiles and establishing a new military base for integrated defense operations. Additionally, Project Meridian will be formed to explore future military capabilities, led by notable defense contractors.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Project Agincourt at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30, 2026, aiming to establish the Autonomous Warfare Command by October 1, 2027. The initiative will focus on unmanned and autonomous warfare, with the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM-UxS) leading the effort and collaborating with Congress for necessary legislation.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the establishment of a new four-star drone command, AUTOWARCOM, during a speech at Quantico, Virginia, on September 30, 2026. He also outlined significant cuts to general officer positions, reducing the number of generals and admirals by 10%. Additionally, Project Agincourt was introduced to advance the development of autonomous military systems.

The U.S. Army selected five companies to develop prototypes for the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 4 program in Washington. The Increment 4 missile aims to strike targets at ranges of at least 1,000 km and will be launched from the M142 HIMARS system. A competitive fly-off is planned for fiscal 2027, with a final down select expected in fiscal 2030. Lockheed Martin also received a $1.2 billion contract for the earlier PrSM Increment 2 system.

Lt. Gen. David N. Miller Jr. was nominated to lead U.S. Space Command, succeeding Gen. Stephen Whiting, who will step down at the end of the year. Miller, currently the deputy chief of Space Operations, has held various leadership roles in the Space Force. The nomination reflects the increasing emphasis on space operations in U.S. defense strategy, particularly following recent developments in space control capabilities.

The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) released a new framework in Washington for analyzing a military's 'will to fight' during conflicts, updated in September 2024. This framework aims to quantify intangible factors affecting military readiness, contrasting the experiences of Afghan forces in 2021 and Ukrainian forces in 2022. It emphasizes the importance of assessing various dynamics, including leadership integrity and troop morale, to better understand military capabilities.

The White House nominated Lt. Gen. David Miller to lead US Space Command and Vice Adm. John Skillman as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Miller is set to replace Gen. Stephen Whiting, who will retire at the end of the year, while Skillman will take over from Vice Adm. James Kilby. The relocation of SPACECOM's headquarters to Huntsville, Alabama, is underway, with 200 personnel expected by year-end and a full move of 1,800 staff planned by 2031.

The U.S. Navy announced the procurement of 30 Medium Unmanned Surface Vessels (MUSVs) on September 29, 2026, as part of a $1.2 billion investment to enhance maritime presence in the Western Pacific. The vessels are scheduled for delivery before the end of FY2027 following successful Phase I at-sea testing. However, operational details regarding their capabilities and integration into naval operations remain unspecified, raising concerns about their effectiveness in contested environments.

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Air Force personnel criticized the use of AI-generated characters in suicide prevention training videos, describing the approach as impersonal and insensitive. The training, which aims to address rising suicide rates among military members, has drawn sharp criticism for failing to convey the necessary human empathy. The Air Force is currently gathering feedback on the training's effectiveness and has acknowledged the need for improvement in its suicide prevention initiatives.

The United States continues to grapple with the national security lessons from 9/11, emphasizing the risks of complacency in the face of growing threats from adversaries like China and Russia. Despite the end of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the U.S. remains engaged in the Middle East and faces challenges in military preparedness and technological adaptation. Current debates over defense policies reflect unresolved issues stemming from past conflicts and the ongoing need for strategic assessment.

The U.S. Army selected five companies on September 29, 2023, to develop prototypes of a new Precision Strike Missile capable of striking targets 1,000 km away. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities of the HIMARS truck system, with initial prototype work concluding in fiscal 2027. The competition includes Lockheed Martin, which has previously developed missile systems for the Army.

Boeing has been awarded a multi-billion-dollar contract by the U.S. Navy to produce the F/A-XX aircraft, intended to replace the F/A-18 Super Hornets. The announcement was made on September 29, 2026, highlighting Boeing's commitment to advancing military aviation technology. The new aircraft will be developed at Boeing's secure manufacturing facility in St. Louis, which is the largest in the U.S.

Smart Shooter received a $150 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract from the U.S. Department of Defense for its SMASH system. This contract indicates ongoing military procurement efforts by the U.S. Armed Forces.

Boeing was awarded a contract on September 29, 2025, to develop the F/A-XX sixth-generation carrier-based strike fighter for the U.S. Navy, valued at over $20 billion. This new jet will augment and eventually replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers starting in the 2030s. The contract includes the development of multiple test aircraft for various testing phases.

DroneShield was awarded a three-year, USD$500 million contract to support the accelerated deployment of counter-UAS capabilities for U.S. homeland defense on 30 September in Warrenton, VA.

The Pentagon's report on the National Defense Strategy indicates progress in weapons production and European defense spending while neglecting key threats from Russia and ongoing Middle East operations. It highlights a significant budget request for defense initiatives and notes a reduction in U.S. brigade combat teams in Europe. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to address these themes in an upcoming speech.

Boeing has been selected to design and build the U.S. Navy's sixth-generation fighter jet, the F/A-XX, with a contract exceeding $20 billion. The announcement was made by the U.S. Department of Defense on September 29, 2023. The F/A-XX is set to replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler, with deliveries expected to begin in the 2030s, enhancing the Navy's carrier strike capabilities.