Analysis & Reports

The Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) 401 conducted the Falcon Peak exercise at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, testing counter-drone technologies under extreme desert conditions. The exercise provided critical data on system durability and operator usability, which will inform U.S. Central Command's operational strategies. Key findings included the need for a layered defense against drone threats and adaptations to equipment for harsh environmental conditions.

The U.S. Air Force is revamping inspection procedures for F-16 engines following two crashes linked to unrepaired damage in the Pratt & Whitney F100 engine. The new inspection process will allow mechanics to check the 4th and 5th stages of the engine on-wing after foreign object debris incidents, improving safety and maintenance efficiency. This change is part of a broader effort to address safety concerns and enhance the reliability of the F-16 fleet.

Congressional researchers scrutinize the U.S. Marine Corps' Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs) regarding their vulnerability to drones, referencing lessons from Ukraine. The Marine Corps awarded a contract to Anduril for a counter-UAS system to enhance ACV protection. Plans to expand personnel may require additional ACVs, with current orders totaling 608 vehicles. BAE received a $230 million contract for 32 ACV-Rs, and the Navy is seeking $237 million for ACV upgrades in fiscal 2027.

The U.S. Navy planned the Montana-class battleships, designed to displace over 71,000 tons and equipped with twelve 16-inch guns, to counter Japanese naval power during WWII. However, the class was canceled in favor of aircraft carriers, reflecting a strategic shift in naval warfare. Had they been built, these battleships could have significantly impacted naval engagements and served as powerful shore bombardment platforms.

The U.S. Navy and Shield AI are investing a combined $300 million into the development of the X-BAT drone, designed for long-range strikes. The funding includes a $150 million modification to an existing agreement and matches previous investments. The drone, which is set for flight testing later this year, aims to operate from ships without large flight decks and has a range of over 2,000 nautical miles.

Gecko Robotics is deploying its robotics and AI software at Anduril's new Arsenal-2 shipyard in Baltimore County, Maryland, to conduct non-destructive testing on submarine parts. This initiative is part of a $6.6 billion investment by Anduril to manufacture components for Virginia-class submarines, with operations expected to begin in 2030. Additionally, Anduril will also manufacture submarine parts at a facility in Orange County, California.

The U.S. Air Force is upgrading the F-22 Raptor with new stealth fuel tanks and IRST systems to enhance its combat range and capabilities. These upgrades aim to address historical deficiencies and are part of a strategy to maintain the aircraft's relevance until the F-47 is introduced in the 2030s. The F-22's combat range is expected to increase from 590 nautical miles to 850 nautical miles with the new tanks, improving its operational effectiveness.

The USS Gerald R. Ford's Advanced Weapons Elevators faced significant operational challenges, with only two of eleven elevators functional in 2019, leading to deployment limitations. By December 2021, all elevators were operational, but 68 failures were recorded in 14,842 cycles by 2022. These issues highlight the technical complexities of the Ford-class carriers and are influencing the development of the upcoming John F. Kennedy (CVN-79).

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is recruiting approximately 100 pilots with first-person-view (FPV) drone experience for the upcoming phase of the Drone Dominance program, known as Gauntlet III. This initiative aims to expand the domestic drone industry and build stockpiles of effective small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for military use. Selected pilots will receive training on new drone systems, including one-way attack drones, and the recruitment is open to all service members with FPV experience.

The U.S. Navy is actively pursuing the development of shipboard laser weapon systems to improve air defense against low-cost threats like drones. Despite successful demonstrations of systems like the 30-kilowatt Laser Weapon System (LaWS), significant challenges remain in integrating these technologies into existing destroyers due to power and cooling requirements. The estimated cost for the first true laser program is around $1 billion, not including fleet-wide deployment.

HMS Daring underwent extensive repairs at Portsmouth from 2017 to 2023 after experiencing propulsion issues during deployment. Despite completing the Power Improvement Project, the destroyer could not return to service due to crew shortages. The Royal Navy has faced significant challenges in maintaining operational readiness, with only three of six Type 45 destroyers currently available.

The U.S. Navy reactivated four Iowa-class battleships between 1981 and 1992, upgrading them to carry 32 Tomahawk missiles, significantly extending their strike range to 1,553 miles. This modernization included advanced weaponry and systems, allowing the battleships to engage targets across Eastern Europe. The total cost for the upgrades was approximately $1.7 billion, with the ships actively participating in the Gulf War by launching 52 Tomahawk missiles.

The United States delivered the first fully US-manufactured Tamir interceptor missile to Israel in Arkansas. This marks a significant milestone in defense cooperation between the two nations.

On October 8, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced the delivery of the first Iron Dome interceptor, produced entirely in the U.S., to Israel. The interceptor was manufactured in Arkansas by a joint venture between Raytheon and Rafael. This delivery marks a significant milestone as it establishes a complete production line for the Iron Dome outside of Israel, with plans for future production for the U.S. Marine Corps.

The U.S. Army has begun equipping its long-range missile battalions with heavy cranes, delivering two 40-ton all-terrain cranes to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in late August 2023. Six additional cranes are expected soon, with all eight operational by October 2026. These cranes will enable the 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery and 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery to perform maintenance and reloading operations independently, enhancing their operational capabilities in the Pacific region.

TOTE Services signed a contract with the U.S. Maritime Administration to manage the construction of a new missile-tracking ship in Philadelphia, scheduled for delivery in 2030. The ship will support the Golden Dome missile defense initiative and replace older vessels. TOTE's construction management model aims to reduce costs significantly and expedite the process.

The Raytheon-Rafael joint venture delivered the first U.S.-built Tamir interceptor for Israel's Iron Dome air defense system in East Camden, Arkansas. This marks the first production of complete Tamir interceptors outside of Israel. The delivery was part of a $1.25 billion contract to supply Israel with missile systems and kits, enhancing its air defense capabilities.

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) plans to contract Rocky Mountain Unmanned Systems to develop a prototype quadruped robot capable of mapping hazardous gases in 3D. This initiative, announced on October 7, 2023, involves integrating a multi-gas chemical detector and a 3D lidar sensor to create real-time hazardous atmosphere maps. The project is classified as applied research and development, with DTRA indicating that no other company possesses the necessary software capabilities for this task.

The U.S. Navy plans to award Raytheon a contract for the production of the Joint Multiple Effects Warhead System for the Tomahawk missile. This contract will transition the warhead program into production for the Block Vb variant, enhancing the missile's capabilities against hardened targets. The Navy aims to negotiate exclusively with Raytheon, which has been the sole developer of the Tomahawk since 1994. The JMEWS variant is projected to achieve initial operational capability by 2027.

The U.S. Navy developed the Seawolf-class submarines to counter the Soviet Typhoon-class submarines, focusing on stealth and advanced weaponry. The Seawolf is significantly quieter than previous models, enhancing its operational effectiveness. The USS Connecticut, part of this class, experienced a collision with an uncharted seamount in the South China Sea, highlighting the challenges of underwater navigation.