Analysis & Reports

AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources

F-35. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

The U.S. Military’s F-35 Fighter Fleet Is Only 50 Percent ‘Mission-Capable’

Weapons & EquipmentLogisticsOperational

The U.S. Military's F-35 fighter fleet is currently only 50% mission-capable, impacting its operational readiness.

Source: 19FortyFiveMon Dec 29 2025
B-21 Raider. Image Credit: U.S. Military.

The U.S. Air Force’s New B-21 Raider Is Forcing a Massive Base Rebuild in Texas

LogisticsWeapons & EquipmentOperational

The U.S. Air Force's new B-21 Raider is necessitating extensive renovations at military bases in Texas to support its deployment.

Source: 19FortyFiveMon Dec 29 2025
RAH-66

Forget the Air Force’s F-22 or F-35: The U.S. Army Almost Built a Fleet of Stealth Helicopters

Weapons & EquipmentMilitary OperationsOperational

The report discusses the U.S. Army's consideration of developing a fleet of stealth helicopters, contrasting it with the Air Force's F-22 and F-35 programs.

Source: 19FortyFiveMon Dec 29 2025
B-1B Lancer Bomber

The Air Force’s Bomber Gap Is Back—and the New B-21 Raider May Not Arrive Fast Enough

Strategic AssessmentWeapons & EquipmentStrategic

The report discusses the potential delay in the arrival of the B-21 Raider and its implications for the U.S. Air Force's bomber capabilities, highlighting concerns about a 'bomber gap'.

Source: 19FortyFiveMon Dec 29 2025

The Eastern Theater Command conducts maritime strike and long-range raid exercises in the air and sea space southeast of Taiwan Island.

Military OperationsTactical

The Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army is conducting maritime strike and long-range raid exercises in the southeast air and sea space of Taiwan.

Source: Global TimesMon Dec 29 2025

The U.S. Air Force Purchases New Missiles Focused on Beyond Visual Range

Weapons & EquipmentMilitary OperationsOperational

The U.S. Air Force is focusing on acquiring new missiles aimed at enhancing beyond-visual-range capabilities.

Source: Reference NewsMon Dec 29 2025
USS Alabama South Dakota-Class

South Dakota-Class: 35,600 Tons of Raw Battleship Power Has a Message for the U.S. Navy

Weapons & EquipmentMilitary OperationsOperational

The report discusses the South Dakota-Class battleships, highlighting their significant weight and military capabilities, and suggests they convey a strategic message to the U.S. Navy.

Source: 19FortyFiveSun Dec 28 2025
Iowa-Class Battleship at Port

Trump-Class Battleship Could Make the U.S. Navy Great Again (With Lots of Missiles)

Weapons & EquipmentPolitical-MilitaryOperational

The report discusses the potential of the Trump-Class Battleship to improve the U.S. Navy's strength, emphasizing its missile capabilities.

Source: 19FortyFiveSun Dec 28 2025
Canada F-35

There Is No Debate: Canada Needs America’s Stealth F-35 Fighter

Political-MilitaryWeapons & EquipmentStrategic

The report argues that Canada needs to acquire America's stealth F-35 fighter jets to enhance its military capabilities and address strategic defense needs.

Source: 19FortyFiveSun Dec 28 2025
Iowa-Class Battleship

Forget the Trump-Class Battleship: The Navy’s Iowa-Class Almost Became an ‘Aircraft Carrier’

Weapons & EquipmentMilitary OperationsOperational

The report discusses the historical consideration of the Iowa-Class battleship as a potential aircraft carrier within the United States Navy.

Source: 19FortyFiveSun Dec 28 2025
F-22 Raptor Fighter

Forget the F-35 or J-20: The Air Force Can’t Build New F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighters

LogisticsWeapons & EquipmentOperational

The report highlights the challenges faced by the U.S. Air Force in building new F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, suggesting a potential shift in focus to other aircraft.

Source: 19FortyFiveSun Dec 28 2025
School children in Los Angeles practice an air raid drill in one of the school's main halls, with a Christmas tree staged, December 1941. (Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

How America observed Christmas — at home and abroad — during WWII

Military OperationsCasualties & LossesLogisticsHybrid

The report discusses how Christmas was observed in the U.S. and abroad during WWII, highlighting military operations, troop morale, and the impact of war on holiday celebrations. It details the activities of American and British forces during Christmas 1941, including strategic meetings and the challenges faced by soldiers in various theaters of war.

Source: militarytimesWed Dec 24 2025

Artifical intelligence is everywhere: 2025 review

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentISR ActivityHybrid

The report discusses the rapid integration of artificial intelligence in military operations, highlighting significant developments in the U.S. and Ukraine, including the use of AI for drone efficiency, intelligence generation, and cyber warfare. It emphasizes the institutionalization of AI in military planning and operations, with a focus on both advancements and potential risks.

Source: Breaking DefenseWed Dec 24 2025
2025 in review: policy

2025 in review: policy

Political-MilitaryCommand & ControlStrategic

The report discusses significant personnel changes and restructuring within the Department of Defense in 2025, including mass layoffs, leadership changes, and a shift in military support roles.

Source: Defense OneWed Dec 24 2025
The real story of how NORAD began tracking Santa Claus

The real story of how NORAD began tracking Santa Claus

Information OperationsPolitical-MilitaryInformational

The report details the origins of NORAD's Santa tracking initiative, which began in 1955 when a child mistakenly called a military hotline. This event has since grown into a significant public relations effort involving thousands of volunteers and a dedicated call center.

Source: militarytimesWed Dec 24 2025
New charges for Guard shooting suspect enable death penalty talks

New charges for Guard shooting suspect enable death penalty talks

Casualties & LossesMilitary OperationsOperational

An Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been charged in connection with the shooting of two West Virginia National Guard troops near the White House on November 26, 2025. One soldier, Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, was killed, and another, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, was critically injured. Lakanwal faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, and has pleaded not guilty. The case is now in U.S. District Court, where the death penalty is being considered.

Source: militarytimesWed Dec 24 2025

Middle East missiles, large contracts and space ambitions: 2025 review

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentPolitical-MilitaryHybrid

The report outlines significant military activities and defense developments in the Middle East during 2025, including military strikes between Israel and Iran, Turkey's investment in air defense systems, and Saudi Arabia's potential drone purchases. It highlights the growing defense industry in the region, with nine firms making it to SIPRI’s Top 100 arms producers list.

Source: Breaking DefenseWed Dec 24 2025

How the Civil War inspired this iconic poet’s classic Christmas song

Casualties & LossesMilitary OperationsOperational

The report details the story of Charley Longfellow, who enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War, was wounded in battle, and inspired his father, poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, to write a famous Christmas poem during his recovery.

Source: militarytimesWed Dec 24 2025
Trump’s new ‘battleship’ should not carry nukes

Trump’s new ‘battleship’ should not carry nukes

Weapons & EquipmentPolitical-MilitaryOperational

The report discusses President Trump's plans to arm new battleships with nuclear-armed cruise missiles, highlighting contradictions with previous policy positions and raising concerns about the implications of such weapons for military strategy and escalation risks.

Source: Defense OneWed Dec 24 2025

Trump approves deployment of 350 National Guard troops to New Orleans

Force MovementPolitical-MilitaryOperational

The Trump administration is deploying 350 National Guard troops to New Orleans to support federal law enforcement amid an immigration crackdown. The deployment, coordinated with state officials, is expected to last through February 2025.

Source: militarytimesTue Dec 23 2025