Analysis & Reports
AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources
The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird’s Pratt & Whitney J58 Engines Ran at Full Afterburner for Hours at a Time With Exhaust Temperatures Near 3,400 Degrees. At Mach 3.2 Cruise, Roughly 80 Percent of the Thrust Came From the Inlet, Not the Engine.
The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird operated at high speeds using its Pratt & Whitney J58 engines, achieving Mach 3.2 with 80% thrust from the inlet. Designed by Lockheed's Skunk Works in 1964, 32 units were built for strategic reconnaissance. The J58 engines allowed sustained full afterburner operation, crucial for its mission profile.
The 9/11 Attacks Are Why the F-22 Raptor Was Cancelled and the Littoral Combat Ship War Born. The US Military Learned a Painful Lesson
The US military shifted its strategy post-9/11, focusing on counter-terrorism rather than great power competition. This led to the cancellation of the F-22 Raptor procurement and the development of the Littoral Combat Ship. The invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan were pivotal military operations that shaped US defense policy for decades.
The F-35 Carries 5,700 Pounds of Weapons Inside and Stays Nearly Invisible. Go ‘Beast Mode’ and Hang 22,000 Pounds on the Outside and Enemy Radar Will Find It — Which Is Exactly What Pilots Are Trained to Do.
The F-35 Lightning II operates in a 'beast mode' configuration, carrying up to 22,000 lbs of weapons, significantly compromising its stealth capabilities. This configuration is utilized for training and operational missions, including combat scenarios, as demonstrated by Israeli F-35Is in 2025. The aircraft's versatility allows it to perform various roles, including close air support, despite the trade-offs in stealth.
The US Air Force F-22 Raptor Has a Combat Range of About 590 Nautical Miles. China’s J-20 Is Estimated at Around 1,100. New Stealth Fuel Tanks Take the Raptor to 850.
The U.S. Air Force is enhancing the F-22 Raptor's capabilities by integrating new stealth fuel tanks that extend its combat range to 850 nautical miles and sensor pods for improved targeting. These upgrades address previous deficiencies in the aircraft's range and targeting systems, particularly in light of competition from China's J-20. The F-22 remains a key asset for U.S. air dominance, especially in the Pacific region.
What we’re watching for at AFA 2026
The Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference is set to begin in National Harbor, Maryland. The U.S. Air Force is actively seeking a new high-end drone platform following losses of MQ-9 Reapers in the Middle East. Concurrently, the U.S. Navy and Air Force are engaged in munitions usage amid the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
The anniversary of 9/11 should remind us how we go to war
The report emphasizes the constitutional role of Congress in declaring war, particularly in the context of the U.S. military actions following the 9/11 attacks. It critiques the accumulation of presidential power in military decisions and highlights the importance of congressional oversight in military engagements. The anniversary of 9/11 serves as a reminder of the need for a balanced approach to war powers.
Northrop Spent About $1,200,000,000 of Its Own Money on the F-20 Tigershark and Sold 0 Aircraft. The F-5 It Was Built to Replace Has Been Flying for More Than 60 Years.
Northrop Grumman developed the F-5 and F-20 aircraft, with the F-5E Tiger II serving over 30 air forces since its introduction in 1975. The F-20 Tigershark, developed in the 1980s, was intended for export but failed to sell any units despite significant investment. The F-5 series remains operational in various countries, showcasing its long-term success in military aviation.
U.S. Navy hires small firm for drone-mimicking planes
The U.S. Navy awarded KestrelX a contract for low-observable target aircraft and engineering support for training exercises, with work distributed across Florida, Idaho, and North Carolina. This contract, valued at up to $9,987,285, extends KestrelX's threat-replication capabilities to the Navy, following previous work with the U.S. Air Force. The contract is set to last until 2028 and includes various military training operations.
Top Air and Space Force leaders will gather amid unresolved Iran war, budget uncertainty
Top military leaders from the U.S. Air and Space Force are set to gather in Washington D.C. next week to discuss budget priorities and strategies related to the ongoing conflict in Iran. This follows the commencement of Operation Epic Fury, with significant focus on military modernization and funding challenges. Gen. Dan Caine highlighted the need for substantial funding to support military operations and equipment replacements, particularly for lost drones.
Military publishes handbook on how to identify, react to, and hide from drones
The Pentagon's Joint Interagency Task Force – 401 published a handbook on drone identification and defense tactics, providing troops with techniques to detect and counter drones. The guide includes practical advice on camouflage and drone engagement strategies, emphasizing the importance of adapting to evolving drone threats. This unclassified edition follows a classified version released last year and aims to enhance U.S. military readiness against drone incursions.
Centuries Later, Alexander the Great’s Best Line on ‘Lions and Sheep’ Is Still the One of the Greatest Military Quotes in Armed Forces History
Alexander the Great, undefeated in battle, led the Macedonian Army to conquer regions including Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, Babylonia, and Persia by the age of 30. His leadership style, as encapsulated in his famous quote about lions and sheep, highlights the importance of effective leadership in military success. He died at 32, shortly after which his empire fell into chaos among his generals.
The US Air Force Retired the F-117 Nighthawk in 2008 and Never Stopped Flying It. The Service Now Says the Aircraft Will Stay in the Air Until 2034 — 26 Years After Its Own Retirement.
The U.S. Air Force continues to operate the F-117 Nighthawk, which was retired in 2008, and plans to keep it flying until 2034. The aircraft, originally developed at a cost of approximately $6.56 billion, has been used for various military operations, including nearly 1,300 missions during Operation Desert Storm. In September 2021, the Air Force resumed flying a small number of F-117s for testing and training.
100,000-Ton US Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford Deployed for 326 Days, a Post-Cold War Record. USS Abraham Lincoln Went 264 Days Without a Port Visit. A Normal Carrier Deployment Runs About 7 Months.
On February 28, 2026, Iran struck Naval Support Activity Bahrain with missiles and drones, prompting the U.S. Navy to relocate its logistics operations to Diego Garcia. USS Gerald R. Ford was deployed for a record 326 days, while USS Abraham Lincoln spent 264 days without a port visit. The Navy is preparing USS Theodore Roosevelt for deployment, implementing lessons learned from previous deployments to address logistical challenges and improve sailor conditions.
Air Force tunes up quantum navigation for a fight without GPS
The U.S. Air Force conducted a test flight of a modified Embraer 170 over the Pacific Ocean last month, successfully demonstrating a new quantum navigation system called MagNav. This system, which utilizes Earth's magnetic signatures, improved navigation accuracy by 89% compared to traditional methods. The Pentagon plans to further test this technology on a C-17 later this year.
Overlooking the obvious: The most likely way AI can enable terror attacks
Terrorist groups, including ISIS and Boko Haram, are increasingly using AI to enhance their operational capabilities and improve the effectiveness of conventional attacks. Notable incidents include the use of ChatGPT in the January 2025 Las Vegas bombing and AI-assisted planning by Boko Haram. The report highlights the growing threat posed by AI-enabled terrorism, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to address these risks.
General Atomics unveils ‘Wildfire’ drone to replace Reaper
General Atomics unveiled the Wildfire drone in Washington, designed to replace the MQ-9A Reaper. The Wildfire is capable of long-endurance reconnaissance and strike missions, exceeding Pentagon requirements with a ferry range over 8,000 nautical miles. It can carry two Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles and is expected to be delivered earlier than the FY2031 timeline, targeting a cost of around $10 million per unit.
Ukrainian interceptor drones join Pentagon test at Yuma
Four defense-tech companies integrated and tested a counter-drone system at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, during the Pentagon exercise Falcon Peak 26.2. The system included AI-enabled sensors, unmanned helicopters, and Ukrainian-made interceptor drones. This integration marked a significant advancement in counter-drone technology, with the system successfully engaging drones during testing.
A Dutch Diesel Submarine That Cost Less Than 1 of the Destroyers Guarding the Carrier “Sank” the US Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and 7 Escort Warships in 1999. Then It Passed 1,500 Yards From the Carrier to Prove It Had Never Been Detected.
In February 1999, the Dutch submarine HNLMS Walrus successfully penetrated the defenses of the USS Theodore Roosevelt during a naval exercise, conducting simulated torpedo attacks that were credited with sinking the carrier and seven escort ships. The exercise involved around 24,000 personnel and demonstrated the submarine's ability to evade detection using thermal layers. This incident underscores persistent vulnerabilities in carrier defense against quiet submarines.
The Dutch Submarine HNLMS Walrus Cost About $340,000,000 and ‘Sank’ the $4,500,000,000 US Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and 7 Escorts in 1999. Then It Passed 1,500 Yards From the Carrier to Prove It Was Never Detected.
In February 1999, the Dutch submarine HNLMS Walrus successfully conducted simulated torpedo attacks against the USS Theodore Roosevelt and seven escort ships during Joint Task Force Exercise 99-1 in the Atlantic Ocean. The submarine penetrated the carrier's defenses undetected, demonstrating its operational capabilities and the challenges faced by the U.S. Navy in anti-submarine warfare.
NATO allies foil Russian subsea cable sabotage plot
NATO allies intercepted Russian submarines training in Arctic waters near Svalbard in Spring 2023, simulating the deployment of a secret weapon designed to disable undersea cables. The operation was conducted by Russia's GUGI undersea warfare directorate, and NATO forces prevented the completion of the exercise. This incident highlights increasing concerns over Russian sabotage operations targeting critical infrastructure.
