Analysis & Reports

Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd has been nominated to lead U.S. Cyber Command and the NSA, generating mixed reactions within the cyber community due to his limited cyber experience but strong leadership in special operations. Concerns about his unfamiliarity with cyber operations contrast with hopes that his leadership skills and the expertise of his deputies will guide the organizations effectively. Rudd aims to conduct a 90-day review to align operations with strategic competition, particularly regarding threats from China.

The SR-71 Blackbird, operated by the U.S. Air Force, flew from Kadena Air Base in Japan to Beale AFB in California, landing 17.5 hours before its scheduled departure. This high-speed aircraft, capable of exceeding Mach 3, was never shot down and was designed for rapid intelligence gathering during the Cold War. Its operational costs and the rise of satellite technology ultimately led to its retirement.

Raytheon successfully tested the Coyote Block 3NK, a non-kinetic counter-drone system designed to defeat drone swarms while minimizing collateral damage. This system can be recalled and redeployed after missions and is intended for use in urban environments. Raytheon has also received a major contract under the U.S. Army's LIDS program to enhance its counter-drone capabilities.

Mexican cartel drones breached U.S. airspace on Wednesday, leading to a temporary closure of El Paso International Airport in Texas. The Department of Defense acted to disable the drones, and officials confirmed there was no threat to commercial travel. The FAA announced the grounding of flights for security reasons, which was lifted hours later, allowing normal operations to resume.

Mexican cartel drones breached U.S. airspace, prompting the Department of Defense to disable them and temporarily close El Paso International Airport. The FAA confirmed there was no threat to commercial travel, and normal flights resumed shortly after. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the threat had been neutralized, while local representatives expressed concern over the unprecedented airport closure.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that Russia will take sufficient countermeasures, including military means, if Greenland is militarized by the U.S. He highlighted the importance of Greenland to U.S. national security and criticized NATO's efforts to militarize the Arctic. Lavrov asserted that Russia will closely monitor U.S. intentions and ensure its national security in this context.

USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) is entering a two-year maintenance period at BAE Systems in Norfolk, Virginia, with a cost of $204 million. This maintenance is crucial for the ship's operational readiness, following its role in the capture of Nicolás Maduro. The completion of the maintenance is scheduled for February 2028, and the ship will continue to support U.S. military operations in the interim.

The U.S. Navy plans to develop the Trump-class battleships to overcome limitations of current destroyers, with construction expected to start in the early 2030s. Vice Adm. Brendan McLane emphasized the need for a larger hull to accommodate advanced weapon systems, including hypersonic missiles. The Navy anticipates a total of 20 to 25 ships, with initial costs estimated at nearly $21 billion for the first battleship.

Canada is reviewing its decision to procure 88 F-35 fighter jets and is considering the JAS 39 Gripen as a more suitable alternative. This shift is influenced by factors such as operational costs, readiness rates, and the need for data sovereignty. U.S. officials have warned that failing to proceed with the F-35 could result in U.S. jets patrolling Canadian airspace to fill capability gaps.

The U.S. Marine Corps is advancing plans to field a drone wingman by 2026, focusing on the MUX TACAIR program to enhance the F-35's capabilities. The YFQ-42A drone has been selected for integration, with a task force established to streamline the program's development. Key upcoming milestones include testing and the development of electronic warfare capabilities at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.

The U.S. Marine Corps is advancing plans to field a drone wingman by 2026, focusing on the MUX TACAIR program to enhance the F-35's capabilities. The YFQ-42A drone has been selected for integration, with a task force established to streamline the development process. Key upcoming milestones include testing and the development of electronic warfare capabilities at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.

The Canadian government is moving closer to a decision to end its F-35 procurement in favor of Saab's Gripen, driven by rising diplomatic tensions with the U.S. and readiness concerns. Saab has provided detailed proposals for a domestic production line that could create 12,600 jobs. Canada is currently locked into an initial purchase of 16 F-35s but is exploring a dual fleet strategy.

The European Union targeted ports in Georgia and Indonesia on February 10, 2026, as part of new sanctions against Russian oil. This marks the first time the EU has aimed sanctions at port infrastructure in third countries. Additionally, two Kyrgyz banks facilitating cryptocurrency services for Russia are included in the sanctions, reflecting the EU's frustration with the effectiveness of previous measures against Russia's military logistics.

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The United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence launched the Robotic Autonomous Systems Leader Tactics Course (RASLT) on February 10, 2026, at Fort Benning. This three-week course aims to prepare Army leaders for future conflicts involving robotic and autonomous systems. It includes practical exercises and targets officers and enlisted personnel with specific training prerequisites. Three pilot iterations are planned for Fiscal Year 2026.

DARPA issued a solicitation for its CLARA program, inviting proposals for high-assurance artificial intelligence research due by April 10, 2026. The program aims to develop broadly applicable AI systems, focusing on the composition of Machine Learning and Automated Reasoning subsystems. A total of $2,000,000 is allocated for the combined Phase 1 and Phase 2 efforts, which will include workshops and hackathons for integration scenarios.

The U.S. Army issued a Request for Information to support market research for counter-drone systems for the Red Sands Hard Kill Challenge 2026, focusing on Group 1-3 small unmanned aerial systems. This initiative, led by U.S. Army Central Command and the U.S. Army Armaments Center, aims to evaluate innovative hard-kill solutions in realistic operational settings in Saudi Arabia and the continental United States. The Army seeks industry input to determine an acquisition strategy for addressing the growing threat posed by small drones.

The U.S. Air Force is acquiring Chimera small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) from Oak Grove Technologies for the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida, to meet urgent operational requirements. This procurement, justified as mission-critical, includes various supporting accessories and is based on a sole-source justification due to the exclusive rights held by Oak Grove Technologies. The acquisition aims to leverage existing expertise and training on the Chimera system.

The U.S. Navy is adapting its strategy due to shipbuilding limitations, implementing 'tailored force packages' instead of traditional carrier strike groups. This shift is a response to the inability to meet operational demands, as the Navy currently operates 11 aircraft carriers, unchanged since 2006. The reliance on unmanned systems is increasing, but their effectiveness in contested environments remains unproven. China's naval expansion further complicates U.S. strategic planning.

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The US Army and US Marine Corps have procured 22,000 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) by mid-2025, while France plans to acquire 2,000 Serval vehicles by 2035. Germany's Dingo vehicles, in service since 2000, total 1,200 units. The Turkish Vuran has been exported to seven countries since 2019. In May 2025, the US Army announced a halt to JLTV procurement, shifting focus to lighter vehicles.

The U.S. military will host the first defense ministers' meeting of Western Hemisphere countries on February 11, attended by 34 high-ranking defense officials. The meeting will focus on common security issues in the region and aims to enhance regional security cooperation.