Analysis & Reports

In November 2011, the UK sold 72 retired Harrier jump jets to the US Marine Corps for $180 million, which were used as spare parts for the AV-8B Harrier fleet. The aircraft were located at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona. This decision followed the UK's retirement of its Harrier fleet in 2010 due to budget constraints, leading to significant job losses in the defense sector.

President Trump announced plans to outsource the construction of Navy ships to foreign shipyards, specifically advocating for the 'Finland model' in Washington. This model allows for initial vessels to be built abroad, with future work to be done domestically. The proposal faces significant political opposition in Congress, which has imposed restrictions on foreign shipbuilding. Analysts warn of both technical and political challenges in integrating foreign-built ships into the U.S. Navy.

Oshkosh Defense and Marine Depot Maintenance Command produced a replacement part for Marine Corps heavy trucks at facilities in Japan and Georgia during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026. This production utilized a secure digital blueprint, enhancing logistics capabilities for military operations. The exercise took place from June 22 to July 1, 2026, involving U.S. Pacific Command forces and allied partners across multiple services.

President Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to redesign the fourth Ford-class aircraft carrier, USS Doris Miller, to use steam catapults instead of electromagnetic systems on August 13, 2023. This decision, which may cost billions, aims to enhance the carrier's operational flexibility and is set to begin construction by the end of the year. The first three Ford-class carriers will continue to use the electromagnetic system.

Marine Hydraulics International LLC was awarded a $119.4 million contract by the U.S. Navy for the maintenance and repair of the USS San Antonio (LPD 17) in Norfolk, Virginia, announced on August 13, 2026. The contract covers labor, supervision, and equipment necessary for the scheduled maintenance, with completion expected by July 2028. The USS San Antonio recently returned from deployment supporting various operations.

The U.S. Army spent $6.9 billion on the RAH-66 Comanche helicopter program, completing only two prototypes before its termination on February 23, 2004. The program was canceled due to cost overruns and a shift in military priorities, redirecting funds towards acquiring 796 new aircraft and upgrading existing helicopters. Both prototypes are now displayed at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum in Fort Novosel, Alabama.

President Trump ordered the return of steam catapults to Ford-class aircraft carriers and announced the establishment of a new public shipyard for submarine repairs in Washington. The decision aims to address delays in submarine maintenance and restore traditional systems to the carriers. The USS Ford, currently using EMALS, will be affected by this change, which has raised concerns about production risks and implications for national security.

The U.S. Army is addressing four key capability gaps in its acquisition programs during the annual Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville. Brig. Gen. Robert Mikesh outlined challenges in propulsion, targeting, and munitions diversity, emphasizing the need for a balanced mix of affordable and advanced weaponry. Lt. Gen. John Rafferty noted the importance of low-cost interceptors to counter various threats.

The Space and Missile Defense Symposium concluded in Huntsville on August 13, 2026, featuring remarks from NORAD and Missile Defense Agency officials. Various military technologies, including the Ground-launched Small Diameter Bomb and D-Wave’s quantum computing processor, were displayed, highlighting advancements in missile defense and space capabilities. Moog announced an expansion of its METEORITE Satellite's bus capacity during the event.

Military officials are addressing the cleanliness of showers at Camp Bullis, Texas, after a photo surfaced showing unsanitary conditions. Civil engineers inspected the facilities and found that the previous unit did not maintain them properly. Joint Base San Antonio is taking steps to improve oversight and ensure cleanliness standards are met by visiting units.

The US Army canceled the M1A2 Abrams SEPv4 program in September 2023 after spending $400.83 million on seven prototype tanks that were never operational. The decision was influenced by concerns over weight and logistical challenges associated with the tank's design. The Army plans to incorporate some SEPv4 technologies into the new M1E3 tank program.

The US Army canceled the M10 Booker light tank program in June 2025 after investing $2.616 billion and producing 80 vehicles. The vehicles are now in storage, with no operational capability established. The M10 Booker was intended to support infantry but was deemed unsuitable for deployment, and a final disposition plan for the vehicles has not been determined.

The USS Enterprise (CVN-65) is undergoing decommissioning and dismantling at Newport News, Virginia, with a total cost of $1,431,497,668. The dismantling contract was awarded on July 15, 2026, and involves significant logistical challenges due to the carrier's eight nuclear reactors. The carrier was decommissioned in February 2017, and the Navy has budgeted additional funds for the inactivation of the USS Nimitz.

Palantir Technologies secured a commitment of up to $243.9 million from the Defense Department for software use through March 31, 2027. This follows a $10 billion Army agreement awarded in July 2026. The Deputy Defense Secretary's memo indicates a trend towards increasing no-compete contracts in federal procurement, with Palantir's software aimed at enhancing efficiencies in the defense industrial base.

Lockheed Martin completed a static-fire test of the Stage 2 rocket motor for its Next Generation Interceptor in Huntsville, Alabama. The test confirmed key performance metrics necessary for missile defense. This milestone is part of the development process leading to the Critical Design Review, with production expected to begin later this year.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced a $58.6 billion contract with Lockheed Martin for the production of Patriot PAC-3 MSE missiles, as existing stockpiles have been significantly depleted. The Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, are heavily reliant on these systems for defense, with less than 1000 Patriot missiles remaining. Iran has issued warnings to Gulf nations regarding potential attacks if U.S. military actions persist, highlighting the vulnerabilities in Gulf air defense capabilities.

Ahmed Al-RashidThu Aug 13 2026Loading...

Space Command's new headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama, will expand to approximately 200 personnel by the end of 2023, up from 113 at Redstone Arsenal. The command plans to have over half of its staff relocated by the end of 2028, with full relocation expected by 2032. Additionally, L3Harris has opened a maritime production facility to support U.S. Navy training systems.

The U.S. Army is opening military test ranges to private industry for testing drones and counter-drone systems under electronic warfare conditions, starting in September 2023. This initiative includes four U.S. locations and one in Morocco, aiming to expedite the development of critical weapons. Camp Grayling will host an electromagnetic unreliability test event on a quarterly basis.

The Defense Information Systems Agency and other military organizations in Tampa face increasing challenges in patching software due to a rise in cyberattacks driven by artificial intelligence. Officials highlighted the rapid discovery of vulnerabilities and the need for resilient architectures to manage patching without system downtime. The urgency of applying patches is forcing a reassessment of cybersecurity risk calculations, as the balance between applying fixes and understanding their operational impact becomes more complex.

L3Harris opened a new maritime production facility in Providence, Rhode Island, to support the production of undersea training systems for the US Navy and allies. This $6 million investment aims to leverage local partnerships and provide additional jobs. The facility, spanning 50,000 square feet, enhances L3Harris's capabilities in undersea warfare technology and strengthens Rhode Island's contributions to the defense industrial base.