Analysis & Reports

The Royal Canadian Air Force operated the CF-104 Starfighter on nuclear alert in Germany from 1959 to 1986, losing 110 aircraft and 37 pilots without engaging in combat. The aircraft was designed for nuclear strike missions but was later adapted for conventional roles. Its operational history included significant losses due to accidents and a controversial nuclear weapons arrangement with the United States.

The U.S. Navy is leading a multinational initiative to develop a new version of the Evolved SeaSparrow air defense missile, aimed at enhancing capabilities against diverse threats. The project involves 12 NATO nations and emphasizes a modular design for future upgrades. The deadline for proposals is set for October 19, with the missile required to operate effectively in complex environments and fit within existing launch systems.

The U.S. Army developed the RAH-66 Comanche helicopter from 1982 to 2004, investing nearly $7 billion in two prototypes. The Comanche was designed as a stealth attack and reconnaissance helicopter featuring advanced technology, including an internal weapons bay. However, the program faced budget issues and was ultimately canceled due to mismanagement and shifting requirements.

The S-3 Viking, designed for anti-submarine warfare, was primarily utilized by the U.S. Navy for refueling and reconnaissance missions from 1974 until its retirement in 2021. It participated in conflicts such as the Gulf War and the Iraq War, where it conducted bombing missions and provided logistical support. Despite its original purpose, the aircraft never engaged Soviet submarines in combat.

The U.S. Navy planned five Montana-Class battleships, featuring twelve 16-inch guns and advanced armor, but the program was canceled in 1943 before construction began. These ships would have been the largest battleships in U.S. history, significantly enhancing naval firepower. Their design influenced future naval warfare considerations, despite never being realized.

The U.S. Air Force considered developing the FB-22 bomber, a derivative of the F-22 Raptor, in the early 2000s. The proposed aircraft aimed to enhance strike capabilities with a range of 1,600 miles and a payload of 30 precision weapons. Despite initial support, the program was ultimately canceled in 2006 due to strategic assessments prioritizing range and the need for a new long-range bomber.

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory opened a solicitation for the Relentless Wolfpack weapons program at Eglin Air Force Base, seeking proposals for weapon coordination in contested airspace. Proposals are due by October 2, 2023, with contracts anticipated by December 10, 2023. The program emphasizes autonomy and interoperability among various vendors' weapons, focusing on developing an affordable mass cruise missile.

A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules refueled U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph, Missouri, on August 13. This marked the first integration of joint refueling capabilities into a training course. The operation utilized a probe and drogue adapter, allowing A-10s to refuel from C-130 tankers, addressing a critical capability gap after the retirement of the KC-10 fleet.

The U.S. Army awarded ThinKom Solutions a $49 million contract to develop and test a mobile high-power microwave weapon designed to counter drones. The prototype, named Alecto, will undergo field testing in 2027 and aims to provide non-kinetic options against unmanned aircraft. The system will be integrated with government-designated sensors and fire-control systems, targeting smaller classes of drones.

German Eurofighter Typhoons achieved simulated 'kills' against U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors during the 2012 Red Flag 12-2 exercise in Alaska. The exercise demonstrated the capabilities of both aircraft in close-range dogfighting, with German pilots claiming they could outclass the F-22 under certain conditions. Despite the notional victories, the F-22 maintains a high mission success rate and is recognized for its advanced combat capabilities.

The U.S. Navy evaluated the navalized F-117N Seahawk in 1984 but ultimately rejected it due to cost and versatility concerns. Lockheed Martin later proposed the F-35C Stealth Fighter, which entered service in 2019, fulfilling the Navy's need for a carrier-capable stealth aircraft. The F-117, while never used by the Navy, had a significant operational history with the Air Force, particularly during the Gulf War.

The Avro Canada VZ-9AV Avrocar was developed in the 1950s as an experimental aircraft for the U.S. Armed Forces, originating from Canada. Two prototypes were built, but the project was canceled in 1961 due to performance issues. The aircraft is now displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force and under restoration at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.

Air Force security teams at F.E. Warren Air Force Base are seeking to train with six refurbished DJI drones to prepare for potential threats. This procurement is deemed essential for the 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron to effectively counter the most likely adversarial drone technologies. The Air Force's directive permits this purchase to enhance training against prevalent drone threats in modern warfare.

The USS Long Beach, commissioned on September 9, 1961, served as the first nuclear-powered surface combatant in the U.S. Navy, equipped with advanced missile systems for air defense and anti-submarine warfare. It operated with a crew of 1,160 and was involved in significant military engagements, including the Vietnam War. The cruiser was decommissioned on May 1, 1995, after over three decades of service, leaving a legacy that influenced future naval designs.

The U.S. and South Korea reduced the duration of their joint military drills from 11 to 5 days, now scheduled to end on August 21, 2023. This decision follows President Trump's directive to scale back U.S. participation, citing a desire to improve relations with North Korea. North Korea's Kim Yo Jong criticized the drills as still aggressive, while China engaged in regional security discussions during this period.

South Korea's defense ministry announced the Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise with the US will be curtailed from August 17 to August 21, 2023, following President Trump's criticism of the drills as hostile towards North Korea. Trump ordered the reduction in scope and expressed dissatisfaction with South Korea's financial contributions for US protection. Despite the changes, North Korea continued to condemn the exercise, threatening military responses.

Israeli Defense Forces conducted military operations on the 19th, arresting at least 31 Palestinians, including Ashraf Awad, the Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The operation involved a raid on Awad's residence in the Silwan area, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Palestinian Authority condemned these actions as part of ongoing restrictions against its officials.

The U.S. Navy announced a $50 million investment in Shield AI's X-BAT aircraft to enhance unmanned, runway-independent maritime strike capabilities. This initiative, part of the RIMES program launched in February 2023, aims to address the operational gap in deploying fixed-wing strike aircraft from Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The X-BAT is designed for multiple military missions and is expected to have its first flight in 2026.

The U.S. Marine Corps conducted its first Attack Drone Competition at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, from August 10-14, 2023, involving teams from the 3rd Littoral Combat Team and 4th Marine Division. The event focused on strike planning, target engagement, and survival against drone threats, with FPV operators from the 4th Marine Division winning. The Marine Corps intends to expand the competition in fiscal year 2027, incorporating a dedicated opposing force and electronic warfare effects.

More than 50 companies tested counter-drone systems at Fort Bragg from August 11 to 13 as part of the Counter-UAS Integration and Planning Conference hosted by XVIII Airborne Corps. The evaluations aimed to assess the performance of various systems individually and in combination for future military operations, feeding into the upcoming Scarlet Dragon exercise in September.