Analysis & Reports

The U.S. Military implemented a new policy requiring troops to prove their sincerely held religious beliefs for beard waivers. Effective March 11, 2023, the policy mandates sworn statements and input from commanders, with all existing waivers needing reevaluation within 90 days. This change follows skepticism expressed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the necessity of such waivers.

The B-21 Raider operates as a multi-domain airborne intelligence node, collecting and transmitting targeting data across air, land, sea, and space. It was unveiled on December 2, 2022, in Palmdale, California, and a second test aircraft joined the flight test campaign on September 11, 2023. The B-21 is designed to control drones and conduct surveillance while utilizing AI for real-time data integration and analysis.

The U.S. intelligence community has identified artificial intelligence as a major global threat in its 2026 Worldwide Threat Assessment. The report emphasizes AI's role in modern warfare, its use by China as a competitive advantage, and the proliferation of AI-generated misinformation. It warns of the risks associated with AI autonomy and the potential for authoritarian regimes to exploit AI for surveillance and disinformation.

The U.S. Air Force and Navy are developing the F-47 and F/A-XX next-generation fighter jets, which are not expected to be operational until the mid-2030s. This delay forces reliance on older aircraft like the F-22 and F-35. Meanwhile, China has already deployed sixth-generation fighters, raising concerns about the U.S. maintaining air superiority. Political factors may jeopardize funding for these programs, which are critical for future military capabilities.

German Eurofighter Typhoons achieved notional kills against USAF F-22 Raptors during the 2012 Red Flag Alaska exercise. The exercise highlighted the limitations of the F-22's stealth capabilities when forced into within-visual-range combat. This incident has been a point of pride for the German Luftwaffe, who claimed multiple kills, while contrasting with a recent real-world engagement where an F-35I Adir downed an Iranian Yak-130.

Sgt. 1st Class Christina Larson was awarded a Purple Heart during her retirement ceremony at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, on February 20, 2026, for injuries sustained from a car bomb attack in Afghanistan in 2015. The attack occurred while she was serving as a combat medic with the 911th Forward Surgical Team. Larson's injuries included a traumatic brain injury, leading to her medical retirement.

Sgt. 1st Class Christina Larson was awarded a Purple Heart on February 20, 2023, during her retirement ceremony at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, after suffering injuries from a car bomb in Kabul in 2015. The award was presented by Brig. Gen. Todd Traver, acknowledging her service and the long-overdue recognition of her traumatic brain injury and other medical issues resulting from the attack.

Canada is increasing its sovereign ammunition production capacity as part of the Canadian Defence Industry Resilience initiative. This move aims to enhance the country's defense capabilities by bolstering its domestic production of ammunition.

Multiple unidentified drones were detected over a U.S. Army base in Washington D.C., prompting increased security measures. U.S. officials have not confirmed the source of the drones. The incident has raised concerns about potential security threats, especially in the context of heightened tensions with Iran. U.S. Secretary of State Rubio and Defense Secretary Hegseth are currently at the base, but no evacuation has occurred.

The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) reported that the U.S. space manufacturing supply chain is struggling with a significant capacity gap for nine specialized components, including rocket motor nozzles and actuators. This shortage is exacerbated by increased demand, budget instability, and outdated regulations, which are hindering innovation and investment. The study emphasizes the urgent need for collaboration between government and industry to address these challenges and strengthen the supply chain.

The U.S. Navy awarded a $15.38 billion contract modification to General Dynamics Electric Boat to support the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program. This contract includes design work, lead yard support, and industrial base development, with work taking place in Groton, Connecticut, Newport News, Virginia, and Sunnyvale, California. The program aims to maintain a continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent and is expected to continue through June 2035.

The U.S. Air Force successfully demonstrated a new capability to install and upgrade software on the F-22 Raptor in minutes using the Unicorn Delivery Service (UDS). This marks a significant advancement in the rapid deployment of software, allowing for faster integration of new functions without extended downtime. The system supports open mission systems architectures and is already being utilized across various platforms within the U.S. Department of War.

The competition between the YF-22 and YF-23 for U.S. Air Force dominance in stealth fighters occurred from the 1980s to 2026. The YF-23, known for its superior stealth and speed, ultimately lost to the YF-22 due to Lockheed's aggressive flight testing and maneuverability. Despite its advantages, the YF-23's legacy continues to provoke interest in military aviation.

The U.S. Air Force's F-47 and Navy's F/A-XX fighter jets are delayed until the mid-2030s, prompting the extension of the F-22 Raptor and F/A-18 Super Hornet fleets. The F-22 will incur high operational costs, while the U.S. remains a leader in fighter capabilities despite these delays.

Chad's military entered a state of maximum alert on March 18 following drone attacks from Sudan that killed at least 16 civilians in the border town of Tine. President Mahamat Idriss Déby ordered a counter-response to any further attacks and closed the 1,300-kilometer border with Sudan. A government team was dispatched to evaluate the situation and assess casualties and property damage.

Anduril Industries will begin production of the YFQ-44A Fury drone wingman at its new factory in Columbus, Ohio, in a matter of days. The facility, which spans 5 million square feet, is strategically located next to an airport to support military-scale aircraft. This production is part of Anduril's efforts to compete in the Air Force's collaborative combat aircraft competition, alongside General Atomics and Northrop Grumman.

Lockheed Martin successfully tested an upgraded version of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) designed to target moving vessels at sea. The missile, launched from a HIMARS system, demonstrated its capability by flying over 200 miles. This upgrade allows the U.S. Army to engage relocating threats in both land and maritime environments, marking a significant advancement in long-range fire capabilities.

Raytheon completed a $115 million expansion of its missile integration facility in Huntsville, Alabama, increasing its capacity by over 50%. The new facility includes additional test cells and office space, and the company plans to enhance its mobile robot fleet to improve production efficiency. This expansion aims to meet rising production demands for military equipment.

A domestic-related shooting occurred at Holloman Air Force Base on Tuesday evening, resulting in one death and one injury. The incident, which took place around 5:30 p.m., involved an active-duty service member and a military veteran. Base officials confirmed the scene was safe after a brief lockdown, stating it was an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the community.

The U.S. Air Force is seeking to develop small one-way attack drones for its Special Operations Command, with a Request for Information due by April 17. These drones are intended to enhance the capabilities of Special Tactics Teams, allowing them to conduct strikes from distances of up to 12 miles. The system will integrate advanced guidance and communication technologies, aiming for rapid deployment and operation by a single operator.