Analysis & Reports

The U.S. Army announced the conversion of its Futures and Concepts Command to the Futures and Autonomy Command (FASCOM) in Washington, D.C. on October 1. FASCOM will focus on integrating autonomous systems into military operations and will be part of the Defense Department's planned Autonomous Warfare Command. The commander of FASCOM will also oversee the Army's procurement efforts for these systems, ensuring human judgment remains in decision-making processes.

Nearly all U.S. soldiers completed the Neurocognitive Assessment Tool to monitor brain health, starting in 2024. This assessment is mandatory for active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve soldiers in high-risk roles, while others must test every three years. The Army aims to establish a baseline for cognitive health and improve treatment options for potential brain injuries. A new app for assessments is also being piloted to enhance tracking capabilities.

The USS Akron crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on April 4, 1933, during a storm, resulting in the deaths of 73 crew members. The USS Macon also crashed on February 12, 1935, due to structural failure, leading to 2 fatalities. Both airships were designed as flying aircraft carriers by the U.S. Navy but were lost within four years due to operational failures and adverse weather conditions.

The U.S. Army Recruiting Command has suspended the Hometown Recruiter Assistance Program due to its low effectiveness in engaging new soldiers with local recruiters. Lt. Gen. Johnny Davis confirmed this decision at a recent forum, noting that the program, which has been in place since the 1980s, is under reevaluation for potential alternatives to support soldiers' hometown leave. The Army is assessing the return on investment from this program.

On October 13, 2023, U.S. President Trump announced that the U.S. is providing aid and sharing intelligence with Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict and discussed easing sanctions on Russian diesel to alleviate domestic supply issues. Trump also warned Ukraine's President Zelensky against attacking Russian oil facilities, highlighting the global implications of the diesel trade.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed the possibility of restarting military action against Iran with U.S. President Trump in October 2023. This conversation occurred ahead of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections and Israeli parliamentary elections. Both the Israeli Defense Forces and U.S. Central Command are reportedly on high alert, preparing for any potential changes in Trump's stance regarding Iran.

Anduril Industries was awarded a contract on September 30, 2023, worth up to $1.8 billion to expand the U.S. Army's Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) system. This contract includes $162.8 million for developing a common data baseline to enhance integration across the Army's I Corps in the Indo-Pacific. The NGC2 system aims to improve decision-making speed on the battlefield by connecting various technologies and applications.

The FBI disrupted North Korean laptop farms in Texas, seizing 187 laptops and devices used to fund weapons programs. This operation targeted North Korean operatives who obtained remote jobs at U.S. companies under false identities. The investigation, supported by CrowdStrike, revealed that these schemes generated revenue for the North Korean regime's sanctioned weapons programs. The FBI's actions are part of ongoing efforts to combat fraudulent IT employment linked to North Korea.

Avio will produce solid rocket motors for Lockheed Martin’s Extended Range GMLRS and Precision Strike Missile, establishing itself as a full-time supplier. The production facility in Hurt, Virginia, is expected to start operations in 2029. This agreement provides Lockheed with an additional source of motors, enhancing their production capabilities against emerging threats.

The U.S. Army announced its commitment to modernization and autonomous systems by redesignating the Futures and Concepts Command as the U.S. Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM) in Washington, D.C. FASCOM will develop autonomous capabilities and align the Army's force structure with new operational guidance. Concerns were expressed regarding the closure of the Unmanned Assault Battalion, emphasizing a decentralized approach to drone warfare.

The U.S. Army will activate Project Gatekeeper on October 23, 2023, to streamline the software approval process, reducing the time from months to minutes. This AI-enhanced cybersecurity sandbox allows companies to vet their software without needing an Army contract or program manager. The initiative aims to improve operational efficiency and security in software integration.

BAE Systems unveiled new layered air-defense systems, including the Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System (MDACS) and High-Power Microwave (HPM), designed to counter missiles and drones. These systems were introduced at the annual meeting of the Association of the United States Army. MDACS utilizes Hypervelocity Projectiles for both offensive and defensive operations, while HPM targets drone swarms with directed energy. Both systems aim to enhance protection for critical installations and field units.

The U.S. Army is re-evaluating its munitions procurement goals, focusing on increasing production of Patriot air defense missiles, particularly the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement, during discussions at the AUSA annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The Army aims to reach a production goal of 2,000 interceptors, with potential increases to 4,000 or more. Additionally, the Army is considering the purchase of PAC-2 Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical, contingent on Congressional funding.

In 2012, German Eurofighter Typhoons conducted aerial maneuvers during Red Flag exercises in Alaska, scoring mock kills on US F-22 Raptors. The Luftwaffe, consisting of eight Typhoons and 150 personnel, claimed victory, stating they had 'Raptor salad for lunch.' This incident raised concerns about the F-22's tactics and operational effectiveness against allied forces.

BAE Systems delivered the 100,000th APKWS guidance kit in early 2026, enhancing U.S. and allied forces' capabilities against low-cost drone threats. The kit has been integrated into platforms like the F-15E Strike Eagle and Eurofighter Typhoon, demonstrating effectiveness in air-to-air engagements. Production capacity is set to meet rising demand, supported by a $1.7 billion contract from the U.S. Navy.

The U.S. Army tested unmanned systems at Fort Bragg to enhance obstacle breaching and reduce exposure to battlefield hazards. Project Sandhills 2.0 involved various autonomous systems, including drones and trucks, and aims to inform future Army capabilities. The Army is transitioning to acquisition and organizational changes for these technologies, establishing the Futures and Autonomous Systems Command to integrate autonomous capabilities across military formations by fiscal 2028.

The U.S. Army has redesignated its Futures and Concepts Command as the Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM) in Washington. This change aims to integrate autonomous and unmanned systems throughout the Army's structure. FASCOM will be led by a three-star general and is part of a broader modernization initiative, which includes the establishment of a new four-star command focused on autonomous warfare.

Rivet developed militarized smart glasses called Rivet Hard Spec for the U.S. Army to enhance situational awareness and communication on the battlefield. The company delivered 70 prototypes and aims to enable soldiers to command AI agents for controlling robots and drones. Rivet has raised $55 million in funding to support this initiative and is also adapting the technology for aerospace manufacturing and maintenance tasks.

The U.S. military is currently facing severe ammunition shortages due to ongoing conflicts, prompting defense contractors like Anduril Industries and Lockheed Martin to rapidly increase production of new missile systems. Anduril has launched the Steelfin modular air defense missiles, while Lockheed Martin is enhancing the Patriot-3 interceptor to counter hypersonic threats. The Pentagon has allocated $18.2 billion to replenish missile stocks, indicating a significant ramp-up in production capabilities across the defense industry.

The U.S. Army is reviewing its emergency war gear stocks, planning changes based on insights from the war with Iran. This review, known as TAP2E, will assess the placement and readiness of prepositioned stocks, with a budget of $702 million allocated for the next year. The Army has identified at least seven stockpiles in North America, Asia, and Europe, and plans to establish an eighth in the southwest Indo-Pacific.