Analysis & Reports

The Pentagon is seeking to develop robot boats capable of launching small attack drones to counter unmanned threats in the Persian Gulf. This initiative, part of the SWAP-USV project, aims for deployment within 120 days of selection and is backed by a $100 million prize challenge. The project addresses the need for cost-effective solutions against asymmetric maritime threats.

An SR-71 Blackbird experienced a double-engine failure while flying at 83,000 feet over the Kola Peninsula in the summer of 1984. The crew managed to descend to 18,000 feet and executed a manual restart of the engines. They successfully refueled from a KC-135Q tanker before landing safely at RAF Mildenhall.

The USS Jimmy Carter, a Seawolf-class submarine, conducts undersea espionage and intelligence gathering, particularly in the Arctic. Commissioned in 2005, it is currently entering mid-life nuclear reactor refueling. The submarine features a Multi-Mission Platform (MMP) that enhances its capabilities for surveillance and deploying U.S. Navy SEALs. Its advanced systems allow it to tap undersea communications cables and extend its operational range with undersea drones.

The Pentagon has launched a review of U.S. military force posture in Europe, announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during the NATO defense ministerial on June 18, 2023. The review will take up to six months and will involve consultations with U.S. European Command, Congress, and allies. It aims to ensure that U.S. military presence aligns with upcoming national security strategies and to encourage European allies to take greater responsibility for NATO's defense.

The USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group conducted operations in the South China Sea on July 22, 2023, demonstrating U.S. military presence and deterrence against Chinese actions. This deployment follows aggressive maneuvers by the Chinese Coast Guard towards Philippine vessels, prompting U.S. officials to reaffirm support for the Philippines. The U.S. Navy's actions aim to uphold freedom of navigation and counter excessive maritime claims by China.

A Canadian Oberon-class submarine simulated an attack on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during the Ocean Venture '81 naval exercise from August 1 to October 15, 1981. The exercise involved around 250 NATO ships and highlighted the challenges of carrier survivability against submarine threats. Lt. Cmdr. Dean L. Knuth contested the Navy's favorable interpretation of the exercise, indicating that the carrier was successfully targeted. This incident sparked a debate over the strategic implications of large carriers in modern naval warfare.

Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division are deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border and will reside in new 3D-printed barracks at Fort Bliss, Texas. The barracks, which can accommodate 560 troops, were officially opened on Tuesday as part of a $62.8 million construction project. This initiative aims to provide energy-resilient housing close to essential facilities for transient soldiers.

Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division are deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border and will reside in new 3D-printed barracks at Fort Bliss, Texas. The barracks, which can accommodate 560 troops, were officially opened on Tuesday as part of a $62.8 million construction project. This initiative aims to provide energy-resilient housing close to essential facilities for transient soldiers.

As of July 2026, only Admiral Nakhimov, one of the four Kirov-class battlecruisers, is undergoing modernization after years of inactivity. The other three ships have been decommissioned or dismantled due to age and condition. The modernization project for Admiral Nakhimov began in 2014 and is expected to complete in 2026, with costs exceeding $5 billion. The Russian Navy is increasingly focusing on submarines and smaller vessels, indicating a shift away from large surface combatants like the Kirov-class.

The U.S. Navy faces significant challenges in shipbuilding, with programs like the Littoral Combat Ship and Zumwalt-class destroyer suffering from budget overruns and cancellations. Workforce shortages and changing requirements have led to delays and uncertainty in production. The future of the new Trump-class battleship remains uncertain as the Navy grapples with these ongoing issues.

The U.S. Air Force is advancing its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, with up to six designs expected to enter the prototyping phase by mid-2027. This follows the awarding of contracts to nine companies for concept refinement. Recently, Anduril unveiled the first Fury CCA prototype in Ohio, and the Air Force has been testing these systems in combat exercises.

China seeks to achieve 'mission kill' on US aircraft carriers in the Indo-Pacific by damaging critical systems to prevent flight operations. This strategy aims to reduce US air power during conflicts without necessarily sinking the carriers. The Chinese military may employ a combination of anti-ship ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and cyber warfare to overwhelm defenses and inflict cumulative damage.

Rafael is localizing its BNET software-defined radio technology in Germany through DND Digital, enhancing tactical communications for the Bundeswehr and European allies. This initiative aims to establish a sovereign industrial base for defense communications, ensuring interoperability with NATO partners. The project is expected to create numerous high-skill jobs in the defense sector across Germany.

The U.S. Air Force plans to downselect from nine vendors to six for its drone wingman program next year in Dayton, Ohio. This follows a concept refinement stage lasting approximately 10 months. Additionally, the Air Force is seeking a cost-effective replacement for the MQ-9A Reaper drone, with the Defense Innovation Unit launching the Mass Modular Aircraft competition. Contract awards for this program's concept refinement phase are anticipated in early fiscal 2027.

U.S. President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky held a meeting in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 2023, to discuss the production license for Patriot missile interceptors. This meeting follows their earlier discussions in Ankara earlier in the month. Zelensky's visit aimed to secure additional U.S. support as tensions with Russia escalate, coinciding with a Senate vote on sanctions against Russia.

Iran launched a missile attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan on the 29th, which was intercepted by U.S. forces. In retaliation, U.S. and Saudi forces conducted airstrikes against Iranian-supported targets in Iraq. This escalation marks a significant shift in the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, breaking a temporary ceasefire and increasing tensions in the region.

Israel maintains approximately 80 nuclear warheads as a deterrent against existential threats, particularly from Iran. Despite its military superiority, Israel faces ongoing challenges in managing conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah, which require political solutions beyond military force. The U.S. continues to play a vital role in supporting Israel's military and diplomatic efforts in the region.

U.S. and Saudi fighters conducted airstrikes against Iranian-backed groups in Iraq on Tuesday, targeting those responsible for recent drone attacks on U.S. forces. U.S. Central Command reported over 600 attempted attacks on U.S. citizens and facilities by Iran-aligned militias from February to April 2026. The strikes come amid ongoing tensions and a recent collapse of a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

Chinese Coast Guard vessels have been conducting patrols 54 nautical miles east of Taiwan since May 2026, with a rotation of formations reported on July 4. This activity is part of a strategy to normalize Chinese maritime presence in the region, coinciding with a submarine-launched ballistic missile test on July 6. Taiwan is responding by tracking these vessels with its coast guard and navy, indicating a shift in the operational landscape in the Philippine Sea.

Marcus ChenWed Jul 29 2026Loading...

The U.S. Navy conducted its first live-fire training exercise with the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) on July 17, 2023, off the coast of Hawaii. This exercise involved the sinking of two former warships, USS Peleliu and USS Mobile Bay, as part of the Rim of the Pacific exercise. The GARC, designed for various naval operations, demonstrated its capabilities during this event, marking a significant advancement in unmanned naval warfare.