Analysis & Reports
AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources
Cooperative Combat with and without Personnel! A Direct Hit on the Army's All-Element Collaborative Exercise for Urban Three-Dimensional Breakthroughs
The 71st Group Army conducted a coordinated urban assault exercise, utilizing drones and unmanned vehicles to enhance combat effectiveness in complex urban environments. Red forces deployed reconnaissance drones to identify enemy positions and used unmanned vehicles to breach obstacles. Infantry units coordinated with armored vehicles to clear enemy fire points, demonstrating effective human-drone collaboration throughout the operation.
An SR-71 Blackbird Lost Both Engines at 83,000 Feet Over Russia. It Fell for Minutes. The Crew Almost Didn’t Make It Back.
In 1984, an SR-71 Blackbird from the United States Air Force lost both engines at 83,000 feet while flying over the Soviet Union. The crew faced a critical situation as they descended towards the Barents Sea, ultimately managing to restart the engines and recover the aircraft. This incident highlights the operational risks associated with high-speed reconnaissance missions.
Space Force slates $1.8B for commercial sats to replace GSSAP neighborhood watch birds
The Space Force has set up a pool of 14 vendors to compete for $1.84 billion over the next decade to provide future space monitoring satellites and services. This initiative, known as the Andromeda program, aims to replace the existing Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites. The new commercial satellites are expected to offer improved maneuverability and longevity in orbit, enhancing the Space Force's capabilities in space monitoring.
UK accuses Russia of covert submarine operation threatening undersea cables
The UK uncovered a covert Russian submarine operation in British waters involving an Akula-class submarine and two GUGI submarines, which lasted over a month and posed a threat to undersea cables. The Royal Navy and allies tracked the vessels using P-8 Poseidon aircraft and frigates, with no reported damage to infrastructure. UK officials warned of serious consequences for any attempts to sabotage subsea infrastructure.
SEA to provide OSHEN with acoustic underwater monitoring capability for autonomous sensing network
SEA is collaborating with OSHEN to develop an autonomous underwater acoustic sensing network, deploying hydrophones on C-STARS micro-drones from ZeroUSV’s Oceanus12 vessel in Plymouth. This initiative, supported by UK Defence Innovation, aims to enhance communications with subsurface assets and improve underwater situational awareness. The project reflects a growing demand for scalable acoustic monitoring capabilities in maritime security.
‘Hybrid constellations’ are making it hard for militaries to hide
Vantor announced plans to expand its satellite constellation to 50 satellites by 2029, enhancing its ability to capture high-resolution images of any location on Earth every 15 minutes. This development aims to improve military reconnaissance capabilities, particularly in conflict zones like Ukraine and the Middle East, where accurate imagery is crucial for operations. The integration of AI will further enable effective data management and targeting for military forces globally.
French Navy further expands CAMCOPTER® S-100 fleet
The French Navy ordered five additional CAMCOPTER® S-100 systems, increasing its total fleet to eight. This order, announced on April 9, 2026, will enhance the Navy's unmanned aviation capabilities and is part of its ongoing unmanned aviation programme. The systems will be integrated on FREMM frigates and are expected to be delivered progressively starting in 2026.
South Korea rolls out first MUAV production unmanned aircraft
The Republic of Korea Air Force rolled out the first production model of the Medium-Altitude Reconnaissance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (MUAV) in December 2023. This aircraft is intended to enhance South Korea's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, with a project value of 980 billion won. Deliveries to operational units are expected to start in 2027, following acceptance testing.
Russia supplies Iran with cyber support, spy imagery to hone attacks, Ukraine says
Russian satellites conducted 24 detailed imagery surveys of military facilities across the Middle East from March 21 to 31, 2023, aiding Iran in targeting U.S. forces. Following these surveys, Iranian ballistic missiles and drones struck military bases, indicating a coordinated effort. Additionally, Russian and Iranian hackers collaborated on cyber operations, targeting critical infrastructure in the Gulf region.
Russia supplies Iran with cyber support, spy imagery to hone attacks, Ukraine says
Russian satellites conducted 24 detailed imagery surveys of military facilities across the Middle East from March 21 to 31, 2023, aiding Iran in targeting U.S. forces. Iranian ballistic missiles struck military bases shortly after these surveys. Additionally, Russian and Iranian hackers collaborated in cyber operations, targeting critical infrastructure in the Gulf region. The exchange of satellite imagery is facilitated through a permanent communications channel between Russia and Iran.
Suspect in space? Analysis finds 75 ‘unusual’ moves by Chinese satellites in nearly 10 years
Chinese satellites exhibited at least 75 unusual maneuvers in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit from 2016 to 2025, indicating potential military and intelligence operations. Eight satellites were tracked, categorized into four behavior types, and linked to missions such as communications and reconnaissance. Notably, SJ-25 may have conducted the first satellite refueling in orbit.
Theseus tests GPS-denied navigation system over 550 km flight
Theseus successfully completed a 5-hour, 22-minute test flight of its Micro Visual Positioning System over central Florida in March, covering 564 kilometers. The system demonstrated a median horizontal position error of 51.95 meters and operated without mid-flight reinitializations. This test highlights advancements in GPS-denied navigation for drones, addressing vulnerabilities in current military operations.
CIA deception campaign helped rescue downed airman in Iran, director says
The CIA executed a deception campaign to facilitate the rescue of a downed airman in Iran on Friday. The airman, a weapons systems officer of an F-15E Strike Eagle, was located in a mountain crevice and rescued on Saturday night. The operation involved advanced surveillance technology and human assets, leading to embarrassment for Iranian forces who were searching for him.
‘She’s Booby-trapped with a Nuke’: Why Vietnam Would Not Shoot Down the SR-71 Blackbird When They Had the Chance
On May 15, 1972, the SR-71 Blackbird experienced critical failures while flying over Hanoi, Vietnam. Major Tom Pugh managed to regain control and relight the engines, allowing the aircraft to continue its mission. A North Vietnamese general later revealed that they refrained from engaging the aircraft due to a belief it was booby-trapped with a nuclear weapon, which was false.
For Putin, the Iran War Is About Ukraine — Bleeding America, Splitting NATO, and Keeping Tehran’s Regime Alive All Serve One Purpose
Iran conducted an airstrike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia last week, injuring twelve Americans and destroying a critical E-3 Sentry AWACS, with support from Russian intelligence. This incident highlights Russia's strategy to undermine U.S. military capabilities and distract from ongoing operations in Ukraine. The loss of the E-3 Sentry, a vital asset for situational awareness, further complicates U.S. military operations in the region.
U.S. Satellite Imaging Provider Suspends Release of Satellite Images from Middle East Conflict Areas
Planet Labs announced on April 4, 2023, that it will indefinitely suspend the release of satellite images related to Iran and conflict areas in the Middle East at the request of the U.S. government for security reasons. This suspension builds on a previous 14-day delay implemented last month and is expected to last until the conflict concludes. The U.S. Department of Defense has not commented on the request for limiting satellite imagery releases.
In 1964, Lockheed Skunk Works Built a ‘SR-71’ Drone That Hit Mach 3 and 95,000 Feet — Almost All of Today’s Fastest Drones Can’t Break 400 MPH
The D-21B drone, developed by Lockheed Skunk Works, was used by the U.S. Air Force for reconnaissance missions over Communist China from 1964 to 1971. Despite its advanced capabilities, including Mach 3 speed, the program was canceled after four unsuccessful missions. A total of 38 units were produced, with some preserved in museums.
Going hunting
NATO suspects Russian forces are behind recent attacks on Ukrainian grain ships in the Black Sea, prompting the deployment of a Maritime Task Force to secure shipping lanes. The MV Golden Horizon was damaged by an underwater explosion and ran aground in Romania. NATO is utilizing UUVs and drones to investigate the incidents and counter potential threats from hybrid UUV-mines. The situation poses significant risks to Ukraine's agricultural exports and global food supply.
U.S. Air Force seeks acoustic sensor for drone detection
The U.S. Air Force is seeking industry solutions for a portable passive acoustic sensor to detect small drones and nearby threats, as outlined in a request for information issued on April 3, 2023, from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The sensor is required to be man-portable, provide 360-degree awareness, and integrate with existing tactical devices. Responses from interested vendors are due by May 4, 2023, indicating a potential rapid prototype assessment.
The SR-71 Blackbird Required Titanium Manufacturing That Didn’t Exist, Engines That Weren’t Ready, and Solutions to Problems Nobody Had Ever Solved
The SR-71 Blackbird was developed from the CIA's A-12 Oxcart program in the 1960s, facing significant engineering challenges and skepticism regarding its viability. Despite multiple crashes and concerns about funding, the program adapted and successfully conducted reconnaissance missions over Vietnam and North Korea. The relevance of high-speed reconnaissance aircraft remains a topic of interest today, with discussions about potential successors like the SR-72.
