Analysis & Reports

The U.S. military is seeking autonomous freighters to transport supplies in contested environments, with a minimum cargo capacity of 9 tons. These vessels will be designed to avoid capture and operate effectively in GPS-degraded conditions. The solicitation for these robotic ships is due on March 16, highlighting the military's focus on enhancing logistics capabilities in challenging maritime scenarios.

U.S. Navy and Air Force conducted integrated maritime strike exercises off California, utilizing B-2 Spirit bombers and AIM-174B Gunslinger missiles. This occurred shortly before airstrikes on Iran's missile facilities, where B-2s targeted complex underground structures. The exercises aimed to enhance readiness against Chinese A2/AD threats and involved significant military assets from the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and 509th Bomb Wing.

Space Force launched a new satellite for orbital warfare training from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on February 12. This satellite will enable Space Force guardians to conduct offensive maneuvers and avoid adversaries in orbit. Space Delta 9 will operate the satellite, which is distinct from previous training satellites. The initiative aligns with the Space Force's ongoing focus on developing capabilities for orbital warfare.

Space Force launched a new prototype for orbital warfare training from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on February 12, 2023. This prototype aims to enhance the maneuvering capabilities of Space Force guardians in space. The GSSAP system, which includes satellites for space situational awareness, will support these operations. Space Delta 9 is designated to operate the new training asset.

Israel Defense Forces are conducting simultaneous strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iranian targets. Following missile launches from Lebanon into Israel, the IDF targeted senior Hezbollah commanders and infrastructure in Beirut. The Israeli Navy also attacked weapon storage sites used by Hezbollah in Tyre.

Photonis Defense Inc. was awarded a US$352.6 million contract by the U.S. Army for the development, production, and testing of the Binocular Night Observation Device (BiNOD) on March 2, 2026. The contract is set to be completed by February 27, 2033, and will utilize the company's facility in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. This award follows a competitive selection process and marks a significant step in Exosens' expansion in the U.S. defense market.

Lockheed Martin successfully tested AI-enhanced targeting capabilities for the F-35 fighter jet at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada on February 23, 2023. The AI model integrates with the aircraft's information control system to assist pilots in identifying potential targets. This marks the first instance of a tactical AI model independently recommending combat targets to pilots, as the U.S. Air Force aims to incorporate AI as a force multiplier in its operations.

The U.S. Army awarded a prototype agreement to Textron Systems Corporation for the Low Altitude Stalking & Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program, which includes the development of the Damocles loitering munition system. This system is designed to provide Infantry Brigade Combat Teams with precision strike capabilities against armored vehicles and hardened targets. The agreement was announced last week and aims to enhance the Army's operational effectiveness in complex terrain.

BBN Technologies is developing a long-range X-ray imaging system under DARPA's XENA program in Cambridge and Atlanta. This system aims to enhance battlefield situational awareness by analyzing objects from distances up to one kilometer, utilizing advanced algorithms to reconstruct hidden geometries. The project addresses challenges such as data sparsity and motion blur, potentially enabling military units to assess concealed threats and structural vulnerabilities from safe distances.

The U.S. Air Force is accelerating the production of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, with plans to have it operational at Ellsworth Air Force Base by 2027. Supported by $4.5 billion in funding, the program aims to expand the stealth bomber fleet from 19 B-2 Spirits to 100 B-21 Raiders, enhancing U.S. strategic capabilities against emerging threats.

Iran launched a large-scale counterattack against U.S. and Israeli military bases from February 28 to March 1, 2023, following airstrikes by Israel and the U.S. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported significant casualties, with 560 U.S. military personnel affected. Over 100 Israeli fighter jets participated in airstrikes targeting Iranian command centers, while Iran claimed to have attacked 27 U.S. military bases in the region.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon has evolved significantly over its 50-year service, transitioning from a dogfighter to a multi-role aircraft. It features advanced systems like the AN/APG-83 AESA radar and the Angry Kitten electronic warfare suite. The aircraft is currently showcased by the U.S. Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base, demonstrating its combat capabilities. The latest models can operate for up to 12,000 hours, reflecting extensive upgrades and modernization efforts.

The U.S. Air Force is developing the F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance fighter, expected to have a combat radius of over 1,000 nautical miles and exceed Mach 2. The first flight is anticipated by 2028, with plans to acquire at least 185 units. This program is part of a broader effort to streamline military acquisitions and enhance air superiority capabilities.

Aggressor F-16s overwhelmed U.S. Air Force F-35s at Nellis Air Force Base during Red Flag 2017 using swarm tactics. The F-35 achieved a 20:1 kill ratio but faced vulnerabilities when forced into close-range engagements, where its limited missile capacity and stealth advantages were compromised. This incident highlights the effectiveness of saturation tactics in modern air combat.

Boeing is developing the F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance fighter, set for its maiden flight in 2028, with production currently underway in St. Louis. The F-47 will replace the F-22, featuring advanced stealth, a combat radius of 1,000 nautical miles, and the capability to control AI-driven Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones. The program aims for operational fielding by the early 2030s, with a fleet goal of over 185 units.

The U.S. Air Force issued a Request for Information on February 26, 2026, to identify contractors capable of sustaining life support systems for the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. This initiative aims to maintain critical pilot survival equipment and ensure operational readiness across all deployment locations. Responses from interested companies are required by March 26, 2026.

The U.S. Air Force awarded a $32.4 million contract to KIHOMAC for logistics support of the AN/FPS-117 radar system on February 27, 2026. This contract, part of the Atmospheric Early Warning System program, includes maintenance and operational support to ensure the radar's functionality for air surveillance missions. KIHOMAC will deliver services over a five-year period, with an option for a six-month extension.

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula criticized the U.S. for delaying military assistance to Ukraine during a podcast, arguing that this hesitation was influenced by Russian rhetoric. He claimed that providing advanced aircraft like F-35s and F-16s earlier could have significantly impacted the war's outcome. Deptula's remarks reflect broader concerns about the pace of military aid and its strategic implications for Ukraine's defense capabilities.

The U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier fleet is facing significant delays in Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) procedures, particularly with the USS John C. Stennis and USS Harry S. Truman. These delays, primarily due to reliance on Newport News Shipbuilding, create strategic vulnerabilities as the fleet modernizes and maintains its capabilities. The RCOH process is complex and time-consuming, taking years to complete, which contrasts sharply with historical refueling timelines during World War II.

The USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) is currently undergoing a 14-month Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News, Virginia, due to a degraded steam turbine generator and labor shortages. This delay impacts the operational readiness of the U.S. Navy, particularly affecting the overextended USS Gerald R. Ford, which is deployed in the Middle East. The Navy aims to resolve these issues to ensure carrier availability amid rising geopolitical tensions.