Analysis & Reports
AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources
Pilots Called It the ‘Short Little Ugly Fellow’ — The A-7 Corsair II Flew Vietnam, Grenada, and Desert Storm Without a Single Combat Loss in the Gulf War
On January 17, 1991, 16 U.S. Navy A-7 pilots conducted airstrikes against radar sites in Baghdad during the Gulf War, utilizing AGM-88 HARM missiles. The A-7 Corsair II completed 725 sorties with no losses to enemy action, marking a successful operational record. This aircraft had previously served in Vietnam and Grenada, demonstrating its effectiveness in various combat scenarios.
The Mitsubishi A6M Zero Had a 12:1 Kill Ratio Early in WWII — No Allied Fighter Could Touch It Until 1943
The A6M Zero, operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy, achieved a remarkable 12:1 kill ratio in air combat from July 1940 until 1943. It first saw combat in July 1940 and played a significant role in the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. Of the 10,939 A6M fighters built, only 30 remain today, with five still capable of flight.
Africa at the Heart of Military Transformation: Between Multinational Exercises and Industrial Ambitions
African Lion 2026 will occur from April 20 to May 9, 2026, in Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal, testing 43 advanced military systems. Concurrently, AFRIDEX will take place in Lagos from October 26 to 29, 2026, aiming to enhance Africa's defense industrial capabilities. Both events reflect a significant shift towards integrating advanced technologies in military operations and fostering local defense production.
Marie DuboisSat Apr 04 2026Loading...
The Trump-Class Battleship May Get an Electromagnetic Railgun After All — General Atomics Says It Never Stopped Working on the Technology
General Atomics continues to advance the development of the electromagnetic railgun for the Trump-Class Battleship, addressing previous technical challenges. The U.S. Navy remains skeptical, but General Atomics claims to have resolved many issues. Meanwhile, Japan, Germany, and France are also pursuing their own railgun technologies, motivated by advancements in China's military capabilities.
Sahel: When Government Forces Become More Deadly Than Jihadists
Burkinabè and Malian government forces, along with allied militias, have killed more civilians than jihadist groups in 2025, with 523 and 928 civilian deaths respectively. The presence of Russian mercenaries has exacerbated the situation, leading to mass executions and human rights violations. Jihadist groups like JNIM are expanding their influence into coastal West Africa, increasing attacks and destabilizing the region further.
Marie DuboisSat Apr 04 2026Loading...
The U.S. Has Destroyed Iran’s Military — Without Regime Change It May Have Created Something More Dangerous
The Iranian military has been significantly destroyed, with its Navy and Air Force neutralized. Without regime change, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) may quickly rebuild its military capabilities, potentially with assistance from Russia and China. The U.S. is reportedly negotiating with more moderate leaders in Iran to influence future governance and stability.
The Sahel at a Crossroads: Russian Failure, Turkish Drones, and New Security Geopolitics
Russian forces in the Sahel, including approximately 2,500 fighters from the Wagner Group, are facing a crisis due to rising civilian casualties and insurgency. Operations have failed to stabilize the region, with violence against civilians increasing. The situation has led to a shift in geopolitical dynamics, with Turkey providing drones to local regimes and other nations like China and the UAE increasing their influence through security agreements and investments.
Marie DuboisSat Apr 04 2026Loading...Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation Withdraws 198 People from Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant
On April 4, 2023, the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) evacuated 198 personnel from the Bushehr nuclear power plant following an attack in the vicinity. The evacuation involved transporting staff by bus to the Iran-Armenia border, with plans to return to Russia from Yerevan. The incident resulted in the death of one Iranian citizen and raised concerns about the increasing risk of a nuclear accident.
U.S. Media: At Least 16 American MQ-9 "Reaper" Drones Shot Down
At least 16 U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones have been shot down since the outbreak of war against Iran, with two drones lost this week. Each drone is valued at around $30 million, highlighting significant losses for the U.S. Armed Forces.
China-Pakistan "Maritime Guardian-4" Joint Naval Exercise Successfully Concludes
The joint naval exercise 'Marine Guardian-4' between the Chinese Navy and Pakistan Navy concluded successfully in the Arabian Sea on April 1. The exercise, which began on March 25, included port exchanges and high-intensity live drills, showcasing effective cooperation and operational capabilities. Both navies conducted various activities, including helicopter operations, and received positive evaluations from observers regarding their professionalism.
The Strait of Hormuz Is Still Closed After 5 Weeks — Here’s How the Marines Could Forcibly Open It With an Air Assault in Days
U.S. Marine Corps, supported by the U.S. Navy, is preparing for a potential amphibious assault to forcibly open the Strait of Hormuz. The USS Tripoli, carrying over 2,200 Marines, is positioned to support this operation, which would involve air assaults using F-35Bs and MV-22 Ospreys. Iranian defenses, including mines and small boats, pose challenges that the U.S. aims to overcome with advanced air support and strategic planning.
Iran missile strike hits Israeli drone-maker
An Iranian ballistic missile struck the Aero-Sentinel production facility in Petach Tikva late Thursday, causing significant damage but not halting operations. The company, known for its intelligence-gathering drones, emphasized its determination to restore production quickly despite the attack. This incident underscores the strategic importance of drone manufacturing facilities in the context of regional military operations.
French Army tests new interceptor drones
The French Army's 54th Artillery Regiment is conducting tactical trials of interceptor drones at the DGA – EM Levant test site. These trials, ongoing for several months, aim to enhance the Army's capabilities against hostile unmanned aircraft, particularly those similar to the Shahed and Lancet systems used in Ukraine. The evaluation involves multiple drone systems developed by Destinus and Harmattan AI, focusing on real-world tactical conditions.
Iran: 763 Schools Destroyed Since the Outbreak of War
U.S. and Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in Iran, resulting in the destruction of 763 schools and the deaths of 241 students and 56 teachers over the past 36 days. In Minab, a school was specifically targeted, leading to significant casualties, including many young girls. The Iranian government has initiated memorial activities for the victims and condemned the attacks as war crimes.
XDOWN develops STUD drone for squad-level strikes
XDOWN has introduced the STUD drone, a compact unmanned system designed for frontline troops in California. The drone can be deployed in approximately 2 seconds and supports various missions including ISR and electronic warfare. With a top speed of 165 knots and a range of 40 miles, XDOWN plans to produce up to 6,000 units per month.
The Avrocar Flying Saucer Was Designed to Hit Mach 3 — It Reached 35 MPH and the Program Was Killed
The VZ-9AV Avrocar was developed in the 1950s as a flying saucer-style aircraft by Avro Canada, funded by the U.S. Air Force and Army. It aimed for high-speed, high-altitude performance but was canceled in 1961 after failing to exceed 35 mph and facing severe stability issues. Despite its failure, the technology influenced future military aircraft designs.
U.S. Dive Bombers Sank 4 Japanese Aircraft Carriers in a Single Day at Midway — The Pilots Attacked While Enemy Planes Were Refueling on Deck
U.S. Navy Task Force 16 sank four Japanese aircraft carriers at Midway Atoll on June 4, 1942, during a coordinated airstrike while enemy planes were refueling. The operation, led by Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, utilized the Douglas SBD Dauntless aircraft, which played a pivotal role in the attack. This victory marked a significant turning point in the Pacific War, demonstrating effective naval intelligence and air power.
Going hunting
NATO suspects Russian forces are behind recent attacks on Ukrainian grain ships in the Black Sea, prompting the deployment of a Maritime Task Force to secure shipping lanes. The MV Golden Horizon was damaged by an underwater explosion and ran aground in Romania. NATO is utilizing UUVs and drones to investigate the incidents and counter potential threats from hybrid UUV-mines. The situation poses significant risks to Ukraine's agricultural exports and global food supply.
Italy’s Aircraft Carrier Isn’t a Smaller Version of an American Nuclear Supercarrier — It’s an Entirely Different Kind of Warship
The Italian Navy's Cavour aircraft carrier is designed for Mediterranean peacekeeping and NATO operations, focusing on regional stability rather than high-intensity warfare. It operates F-35B stealth fighters and is set to integrate Baykar Bayraktar TB3 drones to enhance its surveillance and strike capabilities. The Cavour reflects Italy's strategic priorities, emphasizing contributions to EU and NATO missions close to home.
An A-10 Warthog Was Hit by Iranian Ground Fire and Kept Flying — The Pilot Nursed It All the Way to Kuwait Airspace Before Ejecting
On April 3, 2023, two U.S. military aircraft, an F-15E Strike Eagle and an A-10 Warthog, were shot down over Iran during combat operations. The A-10 was critically damaged but managed to reach Kuwait airspace before the pilot ejected and was rescued. One crew member from the F-15E was rescued, while another remains missing in Iranian territory, prompting a search-and-rescue operation by U.S. forces.
