Analysis & Reports

U.S. Navy attack submarines faced significant maintenance delays from 2016 to 2025, resulting in 15,000 lost operational days and an estimated cost of $3.4 billion. Active idle time for Los Angeles-class and Virginia-class submarines costs approximately $220,000 and $237,000 per day, respectively. The Navy anticipates further challenges with 15 submarines and 14,000 days of inactive idle time projected between 2026 and 2030, costing an additional $3.1 billion.

Maintenance delays and idle time for 15 U.S. Navy attack submarines are projected to cost $3.4 billion from FY 2026 to FY 2030. The USS Pasadena entered inactive status on January 1, 2025, with decommissioning not expected until November 15, 2028, incurring over $300 million in costs during its idle period. The Government Accountability Office has recommended that the Navy explore options to mitigate these delays and improve operational efficiency.

The U.S. Air Force plans to acquire 1,000 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) to operate alongside 185 F-47 fighters, enhancing air combat capabilities with AI and UAV technology. Each F-47 is expected to control multiple CCAs, significantly increasing operational effectiveness. The program is part of the Air Force's 6th Generation fighter initiative, with a budget of $2.424 billion for fiscal year 2026. Two prototypes, the YFQ-42A 'Dark Merlin' and YFQ-44A 'Fury', are currently undergoing test flights.

The US Navy operates a fleet of 11 aircraft carriers, including the Gerald R. Ford-class and Nimitz-class, both powered by two nuclear reactors. The Gerald R. Ford-class, which has three times the generating capacity of the Nimitz-class, is currently undergoing sea trials and is expected to enhance operational capabilities. The USS Gerald R. Ford was launched in 2019, with the USS John F. Kennedy and others following in service.

Israeli Defense Forces are expanding troop deployments in the West Bank to address multiple security challenges and prepare for the upcoming Jewish holiday period. Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi announced a heightened state of readiness for a division command in the region, indicating a proactive approach to maintain control amid rising tensions.

Mara raised $7 million on August 26, 2026, to develop Spike, an automated counter-UAS system targeting small FPV drones. The system integrates a Spotter targeting system and Seeker interceptor, designed to provide 360-degree coverage against drone threats. Field tests have been conducted with U.S. Army and Ukrainian forces, demonstrating its operational capabilities.

The U.S. Army has reported a significant increase in the crash rate of Apache helicopters, attributed to transmission system failures, with five major incidents since October 2022, including a fatal crash in Texas. The Army has suspended routine training flights for Apache pilots and is investigating the causes of these accidents, which are primarily linked to human error. The estimated accident rate for this fiscal year is 6.24 major accidents per 100,000 flight hours.

The U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bombers conducted exercises at Whiteman Air Force Base on November 7, 2022, demonstrating their readiness for nuclear operations. The B-2 can carry up to 16 nuclear gravity bombs, including the B61-12 and B83-1, which offer various yield options. Its stealth capability allows for discreet approaches to targets, enhancing its role in military strategy.

The USS Enterprise is undergoing dismantling at Modern American Recycling and Radiological Services in Mobile, Alabama, since 2012. The US Navy has incurred over $1 billion in costs for this process, which is the first commercial scrapping of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The dismantling serves as a pilot program for future Nimitz-class carrier dismantlements, with the Navy aiming to streamline the process.

The U.S. Navy is facing significant challenges in decommissioning its nuclear-powered submarines, with costs ranging from $50 million to $100 million per submarine. The fleet has decreased from 66 to 49 submarines, projected to drop to 47 by 2028, while the decommissioning process is delayed due to backlogged shipyards. The Department of Energy is involved in the disposal of nuclear reactor cores, and the Navy is now contracting private-sector shipbreakers to manage the workload.

The Marine Corps is enhancing air defenses at the squad level and fielding new counter-drone capabilities, including over 80 sets of organic counter small UAS systems and 400,000 anti-drone rounds for M4 and M27 rifles. The Corps is also developing tactics for small units to defend against drones and is introducing loitering munitions that enable strikes on targets up to 20 kilometers away. These initiatives are part of a broader transformation outlined in the Ground Combat Element 2040 blueprint.

Navier's N30 Quanta-D hydrofoil vessel completed military testing exercises with U.S. Department of War customers last week in the San Francisco Bay Area. The exercise, called Technical Experimentation 26-3, evaluated the vessel's performance in real mission scenarios. The Quanta-D is a hybrid diesel-electric hydrofoil designed to enhance operational efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.

Splash Industries introduced the Airstrike Pack, a new drone-launching module for its Typhoon uncrewed surface vessel, allowing for the deployment of aerial drones at the press of a button. The Typhoon, which has been developed for national security missions, has demonstrated capabilities including a speed of over 50 knots and an operational range exceeding 600 nautical miles. The module has already been tested during a force-on-force exercise, showcasing its potential for military applications.

The U.S. Navy considered a navalized F-22 variant, the Sea Raptor, in the 1990s, estimating its cost at $66.1 billion. This aircraft would have enhanced air dominance capabilities but would have reduced fleet size and adaptability. The Super Hornet program, costing $3.3 billion, succeeded as a versatile substitute. The Navy's current plans include the F/A-XX to replace the Super Hornet by the 2030s.

In 52 BC, Julius Caesar's Roman legions besieged the fortified town of Alesia, containing 90,000 Gallic warriors. Over several weeks, the Romans constructed extensive fortifications to defend against a relief army while enduring hunger and exhaustion. The siege culminated in a decisive victory for Caesar, leading to the end of organized Gallic resistance.

The U.S. Navy plans to transfer approximately 75 Army pilots from Fort Rucker, Alabama, following significant cuts in the Army's aviation corps. This transfer aligns with the Navy's tradition of interservice transfers to meet mission requirements. The Army is reducing its aviation personnel as it shifts focus towards uncrewed aircraft, impacting hundreds of pilots.

IMPACT Drones has developed a prototype of its high-speed interceptor drone, SABLE, in two weeks. The drone is designed to reach speeds of 750 km/h and is part of the company's Air Defense as a Service offering. The company, based in San Francisco, has secured over $180 million in letters of intent and plans to deploy its interceptors by Q3 2026.

A simulated dogfight occurred between the F-22 Raptor and EA-18G Growler in the Pacific, where the Growler successfully employed electronic warfare tactics to achieve a simulated hit. The F-22, while advanced, demonstrated vulnerabilities in this scenario, prompting discussions on its operational effectiveness against peer rivals. The U.S. Air Force continues to enhance the F-22's capabilities with new weapons systems.

The U.S. Navy is developing the Silent Anvil Air-Launched Torpedo, which can be launched from aircraft or drones and is designed to glide into the water to target submarines. The Navy is seeking contractors for this project, with a prototype expected within 18 months and 180 additional prototypes to follow after successful demonstration. This initiative aims to enhance anti-submarine warfare capabilities as China expands its submarine fleet.

On August 20, a plane carrying eight individuals crashed while attempting to land at the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site in Alaska, resulting in no survivors. Among the deceased was Air Force 2nd Lt. Leah R. Borsich, a project programmer with the 611th Civil Engineer Squadron. The crash occurred in foggy conditions, and federal officials are investigating the incident.