Analysis & Reports

Houthi forces launched an attack on Mocha, Yemen, on October 9, resulting in 7 deaths and 30 injuries, including 2 children. The assault also impacted a Saudi field hospital. Yemeni government forces reported 4 military personnel and 3 civilians among the dead, with many of the injured being civilians. Additionally, 11 Houthi drones involved in the attack were successfully intercepted and destroyed.

The Department of War is soliciting feedback from defense contractors in Brownsville, Texas, regarding paperwork that delays military equipment production. This initiative, part of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's Arsenal of Freedom Tour, aims to streamline the acquisition process and enhance the efficiency of the defense industrial base. The department is focused on reducing bureaucratic hurdles to ensure faster delivery of fighter jets and ammunition.

On July 20, 2026, the Russian frigate RFN Neustrashimy conducted live gunnery drills in international waters near the UK, while the Royal Navy's HMS Tyne monitored the activity from within 5 nautical miles. This incident is part of increased Russian naval operations in UK waters, with the Royal Navy tracking such activities for 21 days throughout July.

On May 4, 1982, HMS Sheffield was attacked by Argentine Super Étendard fighters using Exocet missiles during the Falklands War. The missile struck the ship, causing a fire and loss of power, leading to the deaths of 20 sailors and injuries to 26 others. After being towed for several days, the ship sank on May 10, marking a significant loss for the Royal Navy.

A US Marine Corps KC-130F Hercules successfully conducted 21 full-stop landings and 21 unassisted takeoffs on the USS Forrestal from October 30 to November 22, 1963, in the North Atlantic. This operation was notable for being the largest aircraft to land on a carrier without tailhook or catapult assistance. Despite the success of the tests, the Navy decided against routine operations due to operational risks.

USS Independence (CVA-62) served as a prominent aircraft carrier for the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1998, participating in key military operations such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. The carrier was involved in enforcing a naval blockade around Cuba and conducted extensive combat sorties against North Vietnamese targets. After modernization in the late 1980s, it continued to support U.S. military efforts in the Gulf during the 1990s before being decommissioned.

The U.S. Navy awarded Saildrone a $16.3 million task order to extend operations of the Voyager unmanned surface vehicle in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific for counternarcotics efforts. Since 2023, these unmanned systems have supported the Navy's drug interdiction operations, contributing to 66 strikes against alleged drug-carrying vessels, resulting in at least 196 casualties. The Saildrone Voyager is designed for persistent surveillance and can remain on mission for months.

Colombia's Fuerza Aeroespacial Colombiana (FAC) signed a contract on August 4, 2026, to acquire two KC-390 Millennium aircraft in Bogotá. This acquisition aims to modernize Colombia's airlift and aerial refueling capabilities, enabling a range of missions including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The KC-390 will enhance operational readiness and interoperability with the recently acquired Gripen fighters.

On April 19, 1989, the USS Iowa experienced a catastrophic explosion during a gunnery exercise northeast of Puerto Rico, resulting in the deaths of 47 sailors. The explosion was caused by five bags of propellant igniting in an open breech. Initial investigations blamed Gunner's Mate Clayton Hartwig, but he was later exonerated. The incident prompted a reevaluation of safety procedures for the battleship's 16-inch guns.

Colombia finalized a $366 million deal to purchase two KC-390 Millennium airlifters from Embraer, with the first expected to arrive in 2029 and the second in 2030. This acquisition aims to modernize the Colombian Aerospace Force's capabilities, integrating with future JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets. The KC-390 will significantly enhance Colombia's airlift and aerial refueling operations, replacing older C-130 models.

USS Mississippi (BB-41) engaged in naval operations during World War II, including bombardments and the last battleship duel against Yamashiro in Surigao Strait on October 25, 1944. The battleship earned eight battle stars and survived two kamikaze attacks. After the war, it was converted into a gunnery training ship and decommissioned in 1956.

Saildrone continues its counter-drug operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific under a new $16.3 million task order from the U.S. Navy, extending operations with 20 Voyager unmanned surface vessels until 2027. These USVs have been instrumental in detecting and monitoring narco-traffickers, including a significant cocaine seizure in October 2025. The initiative aligns with the Navy's strategy to enhance maritime security and adapt to dynamic threats.

The U.S. Army approved the wear of the Jungle tab for soldiers who complete the jungle warfare school, effective late July 2023. This change allows soldiers across the Army to wear the tab, which signifies completion of jungle operations training. Retroactive eligibility is granted for those who completed training at Fort Sherman in Panama or the Hawaii-based jungle schools. The revised Jungle Operations Training Course is now reestablished in Panama, focusing on survival and combat skills in jungle environments.

In 2022, the U.S. Navy sold the retired aircraft carriers USS Kitty Hawk and USS John F. Kennedy for one cent each, reflecting the high costs associated with dismantling such vessels. The ships were towed to Brownsville, Texas, where they were methodically dismantled for scrap. This sale illustrates the transition from conventionally powered supercarriers to modern naval warfare, emphasizing the logistical challenges of military asset disposal.

The US Navy dismantles retired aircraft carriers in Brownsville, Texas, where they are recycled for steel. This process involves strict environmental regulations and reflects the end of service for many significant vessels, including the USS Kitty Hawk and USS John F. Kennedy. Brownsville has become the largest commercial ship recycling hub in the US, marking the transition from old naval power to the next generation of supercarriers.

The F-35 program is experiencing significant readiness issues, with the fleet's mission-capable rate dropping to 25% as of July 31, 2026. The U.S. Air Force is addressing these challenges through a proposed $13.7 billion sustainment reset. Key issues include delays in Block 4 modernization and insufficient power and cooling capacity for future upgrades. Locations involved include Columbus, Ohio, Jacksonville, Florida, and Santiago, Chile.

Russia deployed its first S-500 Prometey regiment for operational duty in December 2025, marking the introduction of its advanced missile defense system. The S-500 is designed to intercept ballistic missiles and high-altitude threats, with a claimed engagement range of 500 to 600 kilometers. A public test in July 2021 demonstrated its capabilities, although independent verification of its performance remains lacking. The system operates within a broader air defense network that includes the S-400 and S-350 systems.

The U.S. Navy sold five retired aircraft carriers for one cent each in 2021, with the dismantling process being costly due to environmental regulations and logistical challenges. The carriers, including Forrestal and Ranger, were sent to Brownsville, Texas, for dismantling, where the contractor assumed various responsibilities. The Navy's decision reflects a cost-avoidance strategy rather than a simple sale of usable warships.

USS Nimitz completed its final operational deployment on December 17, 2025, and returned to Naval Station Norfolk on July 9, 2026. The carrier is transitioning to training and deactivation, with its deactivation scheduled for March 2027. During its last deployment, Nimitz operated in multiple fleet areas and conducted over 8,500 sorties.

USS Gerald R. Ford entered a major maintenance period at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in February 2026 following an 11-month deployment that included combat operations. The carrier faced mechanical issues, including a fire that injured sailors and damaged equipment. The Navy anticipates that repairs will take 18-24 months due to challenges in naval shipyards and the complexity of the repairs needed.