Analysis & Reports

In September 2022, the USS Nimitz reported contamination of its drinking water with JP-5 aviation fuel while operating off Southern California. Eleven sailors became ill due to the contaminated water, which had entered an unused tank 18 months earlier. The ship temporarily relied on the City of San Diego's water supply while the issue was investigated.

Fincantieri Marine Systems and Seatek signed a memorandum of understanding to explore marine market opportunities across the Americas on September 24, 2026. The agreement focuses on promoting Seatek's propulsion systems in the United States, Canada, Central America, and South America. FMS plans to showcase Seatek's engines at upcoming maritime exhibitions, aiming to support naval and defense stakeholders.

The U.S. Army halted the procurement of the XM7 rifle on October 1, 2025, after soldiers expressed dissatisfaction with its performance and weight. The rifle, intended to replace the M4 and M249 SAW, faced criticism for its 20-round magazine capacity and issues with ammunition effectiveness. The Army is now transitioning to the XM8 carbine, which is lighter but retains the same cartridge as the XM7.

USS Bonhomme Richard caught fire while docked in San Diego from July 12 to July 16, 2020, leading to extensive damage and a repair estimate of $3.2 billion. The U.S. Navy ultimately decided to scrap the ship, selling the remains to a Texas shipbreaker for $3.66 million. An investigation revealed failures in fire prevention and response contributed to the fire's severity.

L3Harris Technologies received an $876.4 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy for the development of the Next Generation Jammer Low Band for the EA-18G Growler. The project, which includes additional cybersecurity work and logistics support, is set to be completed by fiscal 2031. Australia is contributing $23 million to the project, with most work occurring in Salt Lake City and other U.S. locations.

The U.S. Army awarded a $48.1 million contract to Palantir Technologies to develop software for improving ammunition management. This new system will consolidate nine legacy platforms and enhance tracking of munitions throughout their lifecycle. The contract includes a 12-month development period followed by five years of support.

The U.S. Navy retired the USS Boise (SSN-764) in 2026 after spending nearly $800 million on maintenance that was only 22% complete. The submarine had been out of action for about ten years due to extensive delays in its overhaul, which was initially scheduled for 2016. This decision highlights significant logistical challenges within the Navy's maintenance programs and reflects a strategic shift towards prioritizing newer submarine classes.

A joint test team successfully executed the first lot acceptance test of sonobuoys from an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft off San Clemente Island, California, on August 19, 2026. This milestone validated the Osprey as a reliable platform for the Navy’s sonobuoy quality assurance program, enhancing operational readiness and supporting broader anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The test involved manual deployment of sonobuoys, requiring tight coordination among the aircrew.

Remington Outdoor Company faced bankruptcy in 2020, leading to the closure of its historic Ilion plant in 2024. The Remington 700 rifle, used by military snipers and hunters, has a legacy of safety concerns, resulting in a class action settlement covering 7.5 million rifles. Production has since moved to LaGrange, Georgia, amid ongoing financial challenges for the company.

In September 2023, the U.S. Army discontinued the M1A2 SEPv4 tank program after spending $400 million on development. The decision was influenced by the tank's vulnerabilities to drone attacks and significant logistical challenges due to its weight. Only seven prototypes were built, and the Army is now focusing on a lighter, hybrid-powered version, the M1E3, which is better suited for modern combat scenarios.

The U.S. Air and Space Forces are advancing their research on orbital cargo delivery capabilities, focusing on smaller reentry capsules instead of large rockets. This initiative, led by the Payload Delivery System (PDS) and the Point-to-Point Delivery (P2D) program, aims to enhance logistics for rapid global mobility. The programs involve collaboration with commercial firms to develop cost-effective solutions for delivering cargo to austere locations.

American Rheinmetall is developing the Lynx XM30 combat vehicle to replace the outdated Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, which has reached its operational limits. The Lynx XM30 is designed for future growth and adaptability, incorporating feedback from military personnel to enhance its usability. Production has already begun, with vehicles being delivered to the U.S. Army.

Gogo Special Missions and Insitu announced the successful completion of testing a new high-speed satellite connectivity solution for Group 3 Uncrewed Aerial Systems in Broomfield on 22 September 2026. The Gogo Galileo HDX antenna has been optimized for the Integrator UAS, enhancing command and control capabilities and enabling efficient data transmission. This collaboration aims to meet the demands of the expanding Group 3 UAS market with a turnkey solution.

Ukrainian forces achieved victories in counteroffensive operations, regaining control of two villages north of Lyman on September 20, 2023. They targeted Russian drone operators and supply lines, disrupting logistics and enhancing their own air defense and electronic warfare capabilities. This led to a temporary 'anti-drone dome' that hindered Russian reconnaissance and attack capabilities.

Global Military Products was awarded a $19.5 million contract by U.S. Special Operations Command on September 21 to supply non-standard weapons and equipment. The contract allows GMP to compete for delivery orders over five years, focusing on foreign-made military equipment, including Soviet-era arms. This follows their previous successful contract with USSOCOM, highlighting their capability in sourcing and delivering critical defense equipment.

USS Abraham Lincoln is concluding a 305-day deployment, having engaged in combat operations against Iran and made a logistics stop in Guam. The carrier is expected to return to San Diego in early October after a lengthy absence. Concerns have been raised regarding the crew's conditions during the extended deployment, but Navy officials maintain that the crew remains focused and ready.

Danish F-35s landed at Kangerlussuaq Airport in Greenland on September 16, 2023, marking their first arrival on the island as part of a multinational training mission. This operation involved U.S. F-16s and Canadian CF-18s, with logistical support from NATO assets. Concurrently, a new security agreement regarding Greenland is scheduled for signing on September 22, 2023, amid rising tensions with Russia, which recently fired flares at a Danish helicopter.

The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.2 billion contract for the production of Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), which are designed to replace the Army Tactical Missile System. This contract marks a significant step in enhancing the Army's long-range precision strike capabilities. PrSM Increment 2 features advanced targeting technology and is set to expand production capacity significantly.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $13.6 million contract to K & K Industries for the construction of a weapons storage facility at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. This facility will support the incoming B-21 Raider stealth bomber and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2028. The project is part of a larger $900 million investment in military construction at the base, which will enhance its operational capabilities.

GM Defense won a $697.7 million modification to its Infantry Squad Vehicle contract with the U.S. Army on September 21, 2023, increasing the total contract value to $915.6 million. The modification focuses on engineering changes to the vehicle’s five-seat cargo variant, with an estimated completion date of June 25, 2028. The Infantry Squad Vehicle, which entered service in 2020, is designed for rapid troop movement across rough terrain and is based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2.