Analysis & Reports
AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources
I Am a Retired US Army Special Forces NCO: The .950 JDJ Fires a Half-Pound Bullet With Three Times the Energy of a .50 BMG, and It’s Legal
The .950 JDJ rifle, developed by SSK Industries in Ohio, fires a bullet weighing over half a pound and delivers 38,685 foot-pounds of energy. Only three units were produced, and SSK ceased ammunition production in 2014. The rifle is classified as a sporting firearm due to an exemption from the ATF, despite its extreme specifications.
‘Hit But No Boom’: Investigations Proved that For Nearly 2 Years US Navy Submarines During World War II Fired Torpedoes That ‘Frequently Failed’
U.S. Navy submarines faced significant issues with the Mark 14 torpedo during World War II, as it frequently failed to detonate or ran too deep, missing targets. Submarine crews reported these problems, which were confirmed by tests ordered by Rear Admiral Charles Lockwood. The magnetic exploder sometimes detonated prematurely, and it took until September 1943 for the major faults to be addressed, impacting the effectiveness of U.S. naval operations in the Pacific.
Top Army drill sergeant says basic training isn’t just about being tough: ‘We have to operate with empathy’
Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Harrington, named the 2026 Army Reserve Drill Sergeant of the Year, emphasizes the importance of empathy in training recruits at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He highlights that drill sergeants are not just authoritative figures but also coaches and mentors. The recent competition at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, involved various events to assess drill sergeants' skills, focusing on teaching and support rather than traditional harsh methods.
Investigation Reveals $3,200,000,000 In Damage: A 40,000-Ton US Navy Amphibious Assault Ship Caught Fire and It Took Days to Put Out. The Navy Was Forced to Scrap the Ship in Texas
USS Bonhomme Richard caught fire while docked in San Diego from July 12 to July 16, 2020, leading to extensive damage and a repair estimate of $3.2 billion. The U.S. Navy ultimately decided to scrap the ship, selling the remains to a Texas shipbreaker for $3.66 million. An investigation revealed failures in fire prevention and response contributed to the fire's severity.
‘Those Days are Over”: The US Air Force Admits It Must Completely Change How it Fights Thanks to the Iran and Ukraine Wars
The U.S. Air Force is enhancing its air defense capabilities by creating a new career path and weapon system to address threats from UAVs and missiles, as highlighted by the Iran and Ukraine wars. General Kenneth S. Wilsbach announced these initiatives during the Air & Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference. The new system will combine kinetic and non-kinetic measures to improve point-defense air security. This push follows significant casualties from Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in the Middle East.
Navy wants more offensive, ‘expeditionary’ cyber capabilities
The U.S. Navy is actively seeking enhanced offensive cyber capabilities from industry to support tactical operations, as stated by Anne Marie Schumann at the Billington Cybersecurity Summit in Washington. This initiative marks a significant shift towards a more aggressive cyber posture, aiming to integrate multi-domain capabilities for operational commanders. The Navy's 2022 cyberspace superiority vision emphasizes the need for these capabilities to enhance the agility of forward-deployed forces.
China's Arctic Research Fleet Is Testing America's Northern Flank
Four Chinese research vessels operated in the U.S. Arctic in 2026, navigating through the Bering Strait and Aleutian Islands. The U.S. Coast Guard is closely monitoring these activities due to concerns over potential military advantages and resource exploration within U.S. waters. This ongoing presence complicates U.S. efforts to maintain domain awareness and respond effectively to emerging threats in the Arctic region.
Marcus ChenThu Sep 24 2026Loading...
Defense Business Brief: Here comes the quantum boom; GDIT’s perspective; and Sec. 889
Qunnect plans to release commercial quantum technologies for cybersecurity and telecommunications within the next two years, aiming to enhance security protocols. The Pentagon has outlined a strategy to integrate these technologies, with a 2030 deadline for post-quantum cryptography support. GDIT is leveraging quantum computing for intelligence analysis, while the GAO recommends improved compliance measures for Section 889 prohibitions.
L3Harris wins $876 million for Growler radar jammer
L3Harris Technologies received an $876.4 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy for the development of the Next Generation Jammer Low Band for the EA-18G Growler. The project, which includes additional cybersecurity work and logistics support, is set to be completed by fiscal 2031. Australia is contributing $23 million to the project, with most work occurring in Salt Lake City and other U.S. locations.
China’s secretive spaceplane recaptures its own satellite
China's spaceplane Shenlong has been actively releasing and recapturing a satellite in orbit since February 6, 2023, with notable activities occurring on June 21, July 12, and again in September. These maneuvers, which involve rendezvous and proximity operations, have raised concerns among Western analysts regarding potential military applications. The operations are tracked by U.S. Space Force and have been confirmed by astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell.
Canada’s first F-35 fighter jet takes flight for the first time
Canada's first F-35A fighter jet completed its maiden flight on September 23, 2023, from Lockheed Martin's facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft, designated CF-35A for the Royal Canadian Air Force, flew with an F-35C as a safety chase plane. The RCAF has initiated pilot training on the F-35A at Luke Air Force Base, while the government reviews its broader F-35 purchase amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States.
GenAI.mil saw more than 2 million users in one week, top DOD official says
The Department of Defense reported over 2 million users accessed the GenAI.mil platform last week, utilizing AI tools for unclassified tasks. This significant increase follows the platform's launch in December and reflects a growing trend in AI adoption within the Pentagon. The platform hosts three AI models, including Google Cloud's Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT Mil, and has enabled the creation of over 50,000 custom AI agents to assist users.
Army awards Palantir $48.1M to modernize ammo management
The U.S. Army awarded a $48.1 million contract to Palantir Technologies to develop software for improving ammunition management. This new system will consolidate nine legacy platforms and enhance tracking of munitions throughout their lifecycle. The contract includes a 12-month development period followed by five years of support.
‘I heard a shout and turned round to see an F-16 on fire’: An F-16 Fighter crashed at Nellis and hydrazine from its emergency unit trapped an RAF Vulcan crew inside the bomber
An F-16 fighter crashed at Nellis Air Force Base during a Red Flag exercise in 1982, prompting the pilot to eject safely. The incident caused a hydrazine spill, which created a hazardous environment for nearby crews, including those aboard an Avro Vulcan bomber. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the mission continued as planned.
‘The Math Doesn’t Work’: The US Navy Spent $800,000,000 Million on Trying to Repair a Nuclear Attack Submarine That Was Delayed So Long It Made Sense to Cancel and Retire the Sub
The U.S. Navy retired the USS Boise (SSN-764) in 2026 after spending nearly $800 million on maintenance that was only 22% complete. The submarine had been out of action for about ten years due to extensive delays in its overhaul, which was initially scheduled for 2016. This decision highlights significant logistical challenges within the Navy's maintenance programs and reflects a strategic shift towards prioritizing newer submarine classes.
‘Major Milestone’: The US Military Just Ordered 4,000 one-way attack UAVs with Single-Operator Drone Swarm Control
Swarm Defense Technologies received a $25 million order from the U.S. military for 4,000 Kiwi drones as part of the Drone Dominance Program. These drones are designed for combat use, capable of speeds up to 120 mph and a range of 20 miles. The Pentagon plans to acquire over 200,000 drones by 2027 to enhance military capabilities.
A Civilian Sandblaster Set Fire to a Bag of Rags Aboard the Nuclear Attack Submarine USS Miami on May 23, 2012 Because He Wanted to Leave Work Early. It Burned for 10 Hours. Repairs Came to $700,000,000, the US Navy Scrapped the Submarine, and He Got 17 Years.
Casey James Fury set fire to rags aboard the USS Miami at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on May 23, 2012, causing extensive damage and injuries. The fire lasted for 10 hours, leading to a repair cost of $700 million and the submarine's eventual decommissioning. Fury was sentenced to 17 years in prison for his actions.
EXCLUSIVE: SpaceX given unique access to classified DoD space tracking data, sources say
SpaceX has secured exclusive access to classified Department of Defense space tracking data through a contract with the Space Force's Joint Commercial Operations Cell in Washington. This agreement allows SpaceX to enhance its Stargaze star-tracking capabilities, which utilize 30,000 cameras on Starlink satellites to monitor low Earth orbit. Concerns have emerged regarding the potential impact on the commercial space tracking market due to this unique access.
Steam catapults? US Navy appears to be sticking with electromagnetics on carriers
The U.S. Navy continues to develop the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) for its aircraft carriers, despite President Trump's push to revert to steam catapults. Recent contracts have been awarded to support EMALS, which offers advantages in launching capabilities. Meanwhile, China is advancing its own carrier technology with electromagnetic catapults.
A US Air Force F-106 Delta Dart Went Into a Flat Spin at 35,000 Feet Over Montana on February 2, 1970. The Pilot Ejected at 15,000 Feet. The Aircraft Recovered on Its Own, Landed in a Snow-Covered Field, and Flew for 16 More Years.
On February 2, 1970, a U.S. Air Force F-106 Delta Dart entered a flat spin at 35,000 feet over Montana, leading to pilot 1st Lt. Gary Foust ejecting at 15,000 feet. Remarkably, the aircraft recovered and landed safely in a snow-covered field. It was later repaired and served for an additional 16 years before being retired.
