Analysis & Reports

The U.S. Army launched a new Indo-Pacific command at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, integrating traditional formations with advanced cyber, space, and electronic warfare capabilities. This initiative includes the establishment of the Cross Domain Contact Layer, designed to enhance operational effectiveness across multiple domains. The redesignation reflects the Army's ongoing transformation to improve capabilities in contested environments.

The Army launched a new Indo-Pacific command at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, integrating traditional formations with advanced cyber, space, and electronic warfare capabilities. This command, led by the 7th Infantry Division (Multi-Domain Command-Pacific), aims to enhance operational effectiveness through the Cross Domain Contact Layer, which connects various military technologies. The initiative reflects the Army's ongoing transformation efforts in the region.

Nearly 160 Air Force trainees at Lackland Air Force Base became sick due to an influenza outbreak that started in late May. The 37th Training Wing is managing the situation without interrupting training, while medical professionals are treating the affected trainees and implementing measures to prevent further spread. The outbreak follows a decrease in flu vaccination rates among recruits after the Department of Defense lifted the vaccine mandate.

The 2nd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment of the Idaho Army National Guard reorganized into a mobile infantry battalion on June 18, 2026, at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho. This transformation involved replacing heavy armored vehicles like the M1 Abrams and M2 Bradley with Infantry Squad Vehicles to enhance agility and deployability. The reorganization is part of the Army's broader Transformation Initiative, which aims to adapt military formations for future combat environments.

The U.S. Air Force is procuring DZYNE Technologies’ Dronebuster Block 4 systems to enhance security at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. This decision, made on June 18, 2026, is driven by the need to protect the 91st Security Forces Group's nuclear missile assets from drone threats. The Dronebuster system is recognized as the only handheld electronic attack system authorized for military use, emphasizing its critical role in national security.

The U.S. Air Force developed the YF-12 interceptor aircraft, with three prototypes built between 1966 and 1971. Two prototypes were lost in accidents at Edwards Air Force Base, one due to a systems failure during landing and the other from a fuel line fracture. The surviving YF-12 was later transferred to NASA and is now displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

The U.S. Air Force continues to operate approximately 45 F-117 Nighthawks, which were officially retired in 2008. These aircraft are engaged in classified test missions and serve as aggressors in air combat training, with about 5 actively flying at any given time. The F-117s are based at Tonopah Test Range Airport in Nevada and are expected to remain operational until at least 2034.

The SR-71 Blackbird was developed by Lockheed Martin during the Cold War to conduct reconnaissance missions at speeds exceeding Mach 3, effectively evading Soviet air defenses. Its unique Pratt & Whitney J58 engines operated as turbojets at lower speeds and transitioned to ramjet-like efficiency at higher speeds. The aircraft's design incorporated titanium to withstand extreme heat and featured a variable-geometry air intake system to optimize performance.

The U.S. Air Force awarded contracts for the production of Collaborative Combat Aircraft to General Atomics and Anduril Industries. This decision, made four months ahead of schedule, aims to produce more than 150 combat-capable CCAs by the end of the decade. The aircraft, designed to operate alongside crewed fighters, will enhance operational capabilities in contested environments. Additionally, a competition for the development of autonomous software for these aircraft has been launched, involving multiple vendors.

The F-22 Raptor showcased its advanced capabilities during an air show in Lakeland, Florida, on April 19, 2026. The aircraft demonstrated its ability to reach plus-MACH-2 speeds and perform complex maneuvers, supported by its Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engines. It can effectively engage in air strikes, utilizing advanced munitions like GBU-32 JDAMs and GBU-39 SDBs, enhancing its operational effectiveness in combat scenarios.

The U.S. Navy is reconsidering the electromagnetic railgun due to urgent military needs stemming from the Iran war and Japan's successful tests of the technology. The railgun, initially shelved in 2021, is being discussed as a potential solution for missile defense, particularly in light of rising costs associated with traditional interceptors. The proposed Trump-class battleship aims to integrate the railgun, addressing previous power generation issues.

The U.S. Air Force selected Anduril’s FQ-44 and General Atomics’ FQ-42 for production under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, aiming to procure over 150 combat-capable drones by the end of the decade. This marks a significant shift in military aircraft development, allowing for faster production and deployment of uncrewed fighter aircraft designed to operate alongside crewed jets. The program emphasizes the ability to operate from austere locations, addressing critical shortfalls in combat aircraft availability.

Russia's Kirov-class battlecruisers are facing extinction, with two being scrapped, one retiring, and only the Admiral Nakhimov undergoing a costly rebuild expected to complete in 2026. The Kirov-class, designed to hunt American aircraft carriers, represents the last of its kind, with no new battlecruisers being constructed globally. The future role of the Nakhimov is likely limited to coastal defense rather than its original mission.

The U.S. and Iran reached a preliminary agreement to allow a 60-day period of fee-free maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, starting June 19, 2026. This agreement aims to test compliance and restore shipping levels to pre-war conditions while addressing U.S. sanctions. However, underlying tensions remain, particularly regarding Iran's regional influence and nuclear program.

Ahmed Al-RashidWed Jun 17 2026Loading...

The U.S. and Iran have finalized a Memorandum of Understanding to end hostilities, granting Iran significant concessions including the resumption of oil sales and a $300 billion reconstruction fund. The agreement allows Iran's military programs to continue unimpeded, while the U.S. has shifted its stance away from regime change. Israel is pressured to limit its military actions against Iran and Lebanon as a result of the deal.

The U.S. Air Force selected General Atomics and Anduril to develop the first Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) and awarded contracts for autonomy software to Anduril, Shield AI, and RTX. The program aims to produce over 150 aircraft by the end of the decade, with a combat radius of 700 nautical miles. Approximately $1.4 billion is requested for development in fiscal year 2027.

Eight crew members were killed when a B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base, California, on June 15, 2023. The crash is under investigation, and emergency crews responded, but the incident was deemed not survivable. This is the deadliest B-52 incident since 1982, with the flight being a routine training mission.

The M60A3 tank, produced from 1978 to 1997, served as a key military asset for the U.S. Army, featuring advanced upgrades like a thermal sight that surpassed early M1 Abrams capabilities. A total of 1,052 units were built, and the tank played a significant role in Cold War operations and the Gulf War. Although retired from U.S. service, the M60A3 remains operational in various countries, showcasing its enduring legacy in armored warfare.

Former Staff Sgt. Jesse Bussey was captured in Spain and extradited to the U.S. on June 8, 2026, after being a fugitive for nearly 30 years. He was convicted in absentia of multiple crimes, including rape, and was tracked down by a U.S. Marshals task force. The investigation began in 2019, leading to his identification and arrest following a tip about his alias.

The 3rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division conducted a robotic combined arms breach exercise at Fort Polk, Louisiana in April. The exercise utilized dozens of PBAS drones and two UGVs to simulate defeating enemy defenses, successfully demonstrating the potential to protect infantry by neutralizing threats with unmanned systems. Col. Ryan Bell emphasized the need for improved capabilities and production scaling for future operations.