Analysis & Reports
AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources
Russia’s PAK-DA Strategic Bomber: Massive 35,000-Ton Payload, a 12,000 km Range, and Stealth Like the US Air Force B-2 Spirit But It Looks Frozen In Time
The Tupolev Design Bureau has been developing the PAK-DA stealth bomber since 2007, but the program has faced significant delays with no prototype or official images released. The bomber is expected to carry a 35-ton payload and have a range of 12,000 km, but its future remains uncertain due to ongoing development challenges.
Russia is weaponizing US-built AI to make killer drones, cyberattack bots, and fake news
Kremlin-backed actors are utilizing AI to develop autonomous lethal drones capable of selecting targets and issuing commands without human intervention. The group GTG-27005 has created AI models for this purpose, while also engaging in data theft and disinformation campaigns. These operations are part of a broader strategy to enhance Russian influence through automated systems and fake media.
NASA’s X-43D Was Designed to Hold Mach 15 — About 11,000 Miles per Hour, 3 Miles Every Second — for 30 Seconds of Powered Flight. Development Was to Begin in Fiscal Year 2005, Run 4 Years, and End in 3 Flights a Year Apart. Not One Vehicle Was Ever Built.
NASA and Boeing designed the X-43D to achieve Mach 15, approximately 11,000 miles per hour, but never built it due to engineering challenges and funding issues. Development was planned to start in Fiscal Year 2005 and last four years, following the successful X-43A program that reached Mach 9.6. The X-43D was intended to be an unmanned, hydrogen-powered scramjet demonstrator.
Striking Two Ships West of Khasab and the Drain of Patriot in Jordan Reveal That the Hormuz War Is No Longer a Passing Maritime News
Two ships were struck by unknown projectiles near Khasab, Oman, on September 11, 2026, resulting in one ship catching fire. Concurrently, Iranian ballistic missile strikes caused significant damage to the Muwaffaq Salti / Al Azraq base in Jordan, consuming approximately 30 Patriot missiles. This dual incident highlights the ongoing military pressure from Iran on maritime and air defense systems in the region.
Ahmed Al-RashidFri Sep 11 2026Loading...
The United States Did Not Have Enough High-Grade Titanium to Build the SR-71 Blackbird, So the CIA Bought It From the Soviet Union Through Shell Companies in Neutral Countries. The Airframe Was 85 to 90 Percent Titanium, and Much of the Ore Came Out of Soviet Ukraine.
The CIA procured high-grade titanium from the Soviet Union through shell companies in the 1960s for the construction of the SR-71 Blackbird. The aircraft, primarily made of titanium, was designed to withstand extreme temperatures while flying at high speeds. Much of the titanium ore came from Soviet Ukraine, and the procurement process involved a covert network to avoid detection by the Soviets. A total of 32 SR-71s were built, reflecting the significant engineering challenges faced during the program.
The US Army Says the New M1E3 Abrams Will Be About 25 Percent Lighter Than Today’s Tank and Burn About 50 Percent Less Fuel. It Has an Unmanned Turret, an Autoloader, and a Crew of 3 Instead of 4 — the First American Main Battle Tank Since 1980 Without a Human Loader.
The U.S. Army is set to deploy four prototypes of the new M1E3 Abrams tank to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team at Fort Hood, Texas, later this year. This new tank, which is 25% lighter and uses 50% less fuel, will undergo operational testing before being taken to the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, in spring 2027. The M1E3 features an unmanned turret and a reduced crew size, reflecting a significant redesign to meet modern battlefield demands.
Hanwha Aerospace to Supply Chunmoo MRLS to Croatia
Hanwha Aerospace signed a contract with the Ministry of Defence of Croatia to supply Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launch Systems (MRLS) on September 11, 2026, in Zagreb.
ELVO Turns Decades-Old Military Vehicles into Modern Combat Assets for the Greek Army
ELVO demonstrated the modernization of decades-old military vehicles into modern combat assets for the Greek Army in Thessaloniki, Greece. This initiative aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the military by upgrading existing equipment.
KNDS MOBILITY LAUNCHES CELERIS 8×8
KNDS Mobility launched the CELERIS 8×8 military mobility vehicle in Kielce on September 10th, 2026. This new generation vehicle is designed to enhance military mobility capabilities.
GCAP Could Get a 4th Partner. Airbus Says It Is Exploring German Participation in the British-Italian-Japanese Fighter Program, Which Aims to Field an Aircraft Around 2035, After France and Germany Killed the FCAS Fighter on June 9, 2026.
Germany is exploring participation in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) following the collapse of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) on June 9, 2026. Airbus Defence and Space has expressed interest in a leadership role within the program, which aims to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft by 2035. This shift comes as Germany seeks alternatives for its future military aviation needs after the failure of the FCAS collaboration with France.
Concurrent attacks across multiple domains force rethinking of air-and-missile-defense
U.S. air-and-missile-defense systems are adapting to new threats posed by Iran's drone and missile capabilities in the Middle East. The systems have performed well in recent conflicts but face challenges due to high costs and the need for rapid adaptation. Experts emphasize the importance of increasing industrial capacity to meet these evolving threats and ensure effective defense against low-cost drone swarms and high-speed missiles.
The US Navy Bolted 32 Tomahawk Missiles Onto 58,000-Ton Iowa-Class Battleships. The Upgrade Took Their Reach From 24 Miles to 1,553.
The U.S. Navy recommissioned Iowa-class battleships, upgrading them with 32 Tomahawk missiles each, significantly extending their strike range to 1,553 miles. This modernization occurred from December 1982 onwards, with the battleships actively participating in the Gulf War by launching 52 Tomahawk missiles against Iraqi targets. The total cost for the upgrades was approximately $1.7 billion for all four ships.
Russia’s Mach 2 Tupolev Tu-160 Bomber Is the Heaviest Combat Aircraft Ever Built and Carries Up to 12 Cruise Missiles on 2 Internal Rotary Launchers. Russia Has Built About 4 New Ones in 11 Years.
Russia continues to modernize its fleet of Tu-160 bombers, having built approximately four new aircraft since 2015. The Tu-160, capable of carrying up to 12 cruise missiles, remains a key strategic asset for the Russian Air Force. Production is hampered by slow engine manufacturing and modernization efforts, but the aircraft's capabilities have been enhanced with new avionics and engines.
Sorry, F-35: Saab Is Offering Canada 6,000 Jobs to Buy the JAS 39 Gripen. The Number Is Now as High as 10,000, and Ottawa Still Has Not Decided.
Saab proposed to establish a Gripen production operation in Canada, requiring a minimum order of 40 Gripen E fighters to justify the investment. The company claims this could create up to 10,000 jobs over 40 years. This proposal comes as Canada is reviewing its commitment to 88 F-35s, with only 16 currently contracted. Saab's CEO emphasized the potential for a mixed fleet of Gripens and F-35s, indicating ongoing discussions with the Canadian government.
Support for Patriot air-and-missile defense is a case study for the industrial base
Moog is under pressure to meet growing requirements for air-and-missile defense systems. The company is recognized for its precision controls and is actively contributing to the mission of supporting these defense systems. This highlights the importance of the industrial base in military operations.
Pentagon looks to AI to identify space and missile threats
The Pentagon is developing AI-based software tools to improve missile defense by analyzing fragmented sensor data and identifying space and missile threats. This initiative, known as the 'Space Threat Intelligence Synthesis Engine,' aims to automate data correlation and provide actionable alerts. The solicitation for contractors is due on September 24, with a focus on achieving low latency and high throughput in data processing.
Britain Is Spending Close to £2,000,000,000 to Field 148 Challenger 3 Tanks by 2030. An Investigation Found the Program May Slip 2 Years Because the Turret Power Traverse Gearbox — a Part Carried Over From the Challenger 2 — Is Not Strong Enough to Turn the Heavier New Turret.
Britain is investing nearly £2 billion to deploy 148 Challenger 3 tanks, with Initial Operating Capability set for 2027. However, technical issues with the turret power traverse gearbox may delay the program until 2029 or later. The Challenger 3, an upgraded version of the Challenger 2, faces challenges in procurement and manpower shortages within the British Army.
In 1987 Japan Agreed to Build a Licensed Version of the American F-16 Fighting Falcon Instead of Its Own Fighter. More Than 95 Percent of the Engineering Drawings Were Changed, and the Finished Mitsubishi F-2 Cost About $127,000,000 Each Against $30,000,000 for an F-16.
Japan developed the Mitsubishi F-2 fighter jet from 1987 to 2011, modifying over 95% of the F-16 Fighting Falcon's engineering designs. The F-2, which features advanced radar and a larger airframe, cost approximately $127 million per unit, significantly more than the F-16. Production concluded with 94 aircraft delivered, serving as the backbone of Japan's fighter-bomber force.
Pentagon eyeing tech testbed expansion along US-Mexico border
The Pentagon is expanding its testing of emerging technologies, including unmanned surface vessels and high-energy lasers, along the US-Mexico border. This initiative aims to enhance border security and combat narco-trafficking. Future deployments depend on budget negotiations in Congress, with ongoing assessments of current technologies and potential new projects planned for the upcoming fiscal year.
Canada Finalized an Agreement to Buy 88 Lockheed Martin F-35A Fighter Jets in January 2023. Almost 18 Months Into a Review Ordered by Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ottawa Is Committed to Only 16 of Them — and the First Ones Still Arrive This Year.
Canada is reviewing its agreement to purchase 88 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets, with a commitment to only 16 jets as of now. The review, ordered by Prime Minister Mark Carney in March 2025, is ongoing amid trade disputes with the U.S. and considerations for alternative aircraft like the Saab Gripen E. Despite the review, Canada is still on track to receive its first F-35s at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona by the end of 2026, where pilot training will commence.
