Analysis & Reports

Anduril Industries is unable to commence production of FQ-44 Fury drones until the FY27 budget is approved by Congress, expected by December 2023. The company is currently building prototypes and integrating munitions at its Arsenal-1 facility in Columbus, Ohio. The U.S. Air Force anticipates having 500 Collaborative Combat Aircraft in service by 2032, with ongoing tests and integration efforts underway at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada.

USS Georgia retired at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay on July 27, 2024, marking the beginning of the retirement process for the U.S. Navy's Ohio-class submarines. These submarines, capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk missiles each, represent a significant loss of missile launch positions, totaling 616 across four vessels. The Navy plans to redesignate 19 Virginia-class submarines to partially compensate for this loss, but no direct replacements for the Ohio-class SSGNs are planned.

The U.S. Air Force confirmed the existence of space control weapons capable of offensive operations during a meeting in Maryland on October 14, 2023. This acknowledgment marks the first time the U.S. has recognized its offensive capabilities in space, raising concerns about a potential arms race. Experts warn that this development could lead to increased military tensions and conflict in outer space.

The U.S. Space Force Chief of Operations, Gen. Doug Schiess, addressed funding challenges at the AFA’s Air Space & Cyber conference in National Harbor, Maryland, on September 14, 2026. The event showcased various military technologies, including the Locust X3 counter-drone system, Havoc missile system, and FQ-44 Fury unmanned fighter aircraft, highlighting advancements in defense capabilities.

BAE Systems unveiled Shadow EW, a new family of electronic warfare payloads designed for small airborne platforms, enhancing situational awareness and self-defense capabilities. The solutions aim to improve mission effectiveness in contested environments and can be produced in large quantities at low cost. This development reflects the changing dynamics of modern warfare, particularly highlighted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Lockheed Martin restored an F-117 Nighthawk stealth jet, nicknamed 'The Overachiever,' for permanent display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The aircraft will be exhibited at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center later this fall, adding to the limited number of Nighthawks displayed publicly since their retirement in 2008. The F-117 was the first operational stealth aircraft, with a notable combat history.

Steadicopter has cleared a regulatory hurdle for its Black Eagle 50E unmanned helicopter, receiving airworthiness validation from the Nevada UAS Test Site on September 15, 2026. This approval allows the drone to operate across designated areas in the U.S., supporting military and security operations. The Israeli Navy is among its first military customers, and Steadicopter plans to expand its engagement with U.S. partners for various mission capabilities.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. is integrating its SPICE 1000 air-to-surface munition onto the F-35 fighter aircraft in the United States. This integration, a joint project with Lockheed Martin, is expected to be completed within a few months, allowing Israeli F-35s to employ the munition. SPICE 1000 is capable of striking high-value targets at ranges exceeding 120 km and has been operational with various air forces globally.

The U.S. Space Force has deployed space control weapons in orbit, as confirmed by Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink during a conference in National Harbor, Maryland. These weapons are designed to defend against hostile actions and represent a shift in focus for the Space Force, which has previously prioritized communications and tracking satellites. The deployment aligns with the Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits weapons of mass destruction in orbit.

The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.2 billion contract for the Precision Strike Missile Increment 2 system, designed to target maritime threats. This missile can travel up to 500 km and features a multimode seeker. The contract's work locations will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of September 13, 2031. This follows the successful launch of the first PrSM Increment 2 missile earlier this year.

Canada is reviewing its fighter aircraft procurement plans, considering a mix of 88 Lockheed Martin F-35A and Saab Gripen E fighters. The F-35A scored 57.1 out of 60 points for military capability, significantly outperforming the Gripen E, which scored 19.8. The acquisition cost for the fighter project has risen to C$27.7 billion, excluding additional infrastructure costs. Saab is prepared to support Canada with Gripen production and training if selected.

Oklahoma National Guard tested wire mesh cage armor on convoy vehicles during Exercise Thunderstruck 3.0 at Camp Gruber Training Center on September 12, 2023. The exercise focused on unmanned systems and drone threats, integrating both friendly and simulated adversary drones. The cage armor aims to protect vehicles from drone attacks by detonating or deflecting warheads before they reach the hull.

Pratt & Whitney has licensed Hermeus to produce the F100-PW-229 turbofan engine in National Harbor, enhancing the defense industrial base amid rising demand. This agreement supports the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft project and anticipates a peak demand of over 180 engines annually by fiscal year 2034. Hermeus is also developing the Quarterhorse drone and a new turbine-based combined cycle engine.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is hosting an Industry Day on September 30 in Arlington, Virginia, to discuss the BEAMERS program, which focuses on developing next-generation electronic-support systems. The event will feature classified presentations and is limited to U.S. citizens with a SECRET clearance. Registration is capped at 120 attendees, and foreign nationals must submit additional documentation to attend. No formal solicitation for the program has been issued yet.

Boeing developed the YF-118G Bird of Prey as a technology demonstrator, conducting 38 test flights from 1996 to 1999. The aircraft, which cost $67 million, was designed to showcase low-observable technologies and had no combat capabilities. It is currently displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton.

The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman assembled an inert version of the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile at Vandenberg Space Force Base on September 14, 2026. This assembly is a significant milestone towards the planned flight test in 2027, as the program aims to replace the aging Minuteman III missiles. The project has faced cost overruns, with the total estimated cost now at approximately $140.9 billion.

The U.S. Air Force's AGM-190A missile, known as Havoc Spear, passed combat evaluation and is now cleared for broader use across special operations and conventional aircraft. The missile was tested in a live operational setting during Spring 2026, demonstrating its modular design and mission adaptability. AFSOC conducted the evaluation in partnership with U.S. Africa Command, highlighting its role in counterterrorism efforts in Africa.

The U.S. Navy ordered production rounds of Castelion's Blackbeard hypersonic missiles in a deal worth up to $200 million on September 14, 2026. This order follows a previous contract for 50 prototypes and marks the transition of Blackbeard from prototype to production status. The hypersonic weapon is intended for air-launch from carrier-based aircraft, enhancing naval strike capabilities.

U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink confirmed the existence of weapons in orbit designed to disable or destroy adversary satellites during a speech at the Air, Space & Cyber conference. He emphasized the need for the U.S. to maintain dominance in space amid evolving threats. Additionally, he announced the upcoming launch of prototype satellites for tracking moving targets and stated that space-based interceptors are now flight ready.

U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced the launch of space control weapons into orbit during the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. This event marks a significant development in the capabilities of the U.S. Space Force.