Analysis & Reports

Australia is sending 300 personnel to participate in the joint military exercise 'Keen Sword 2026' alongside approximately 45,000 Japanese and 11,000 U.S. personnel. The exercise, taking place in Japan and surrounding maritime areas from October 19 to October 29, 2026, focuses on integrating naval, air, cyber, and space operations. It aims to enhance logistical coordination among the participating nations, including the U.S. Navy and Japan Self-Defense Forces.

Tanaka TakashiFri Oct 23 2026Loading...

The U.S. Army is seeking new manufacturers to produce 155mm howitzer barrels due to increased demand, with a target of 10 barrels per month within three years. The current production facility, Watervliet Arsenal in New York, is unable to meet this demand, prompting the Army to explore additional manufacturing options and emergency funding. The deadline for contractor proposals is November 23, 2023.

The U.S. Army is seeking new manufacturers to produce 155mm howitzer barrels due to increased demand, with a deadline for proposals set for November 23, 2023. The Army aims for contractors to manufacture up to 10 barrels per month within three years, as the current facility, Watervliet Arsenal in New York, cannot keep up with demand. The Army is also exploring the potential replacement of the M777 howitzer.

Global Ordnance signed a master supply agreement with Sparkz for the production of drone battery packs intended for the US military, targeting completion in 2027.

The crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln is preparing for relocation to Bremerton, Washington, after a 10-month deployment that included 40 days of combat operations. The home port change is scheduled for December 31, 2026, as the Navy aims to restore material readiness and upgrade warfighting capabilities. Families face logistical challenges associated with the move, including housing and employment adjustments.

The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin established a 10-year framework to produce at least 850 F-35 Lightning II fighters for the U.S. military, pending congressional approval. Lockheed will invest $7 billion to enhance production efficiency and supply chain resilience. The deal aims to maintain a production rate of 156 aircraft annually and improve the F-35's mission-capable rate. This agreement is expected to support 317,000 jobs and generate $79 billion in economic activity over the decade.

Applied Intuition secured a $25 million contract from the US Navy to deploy AI-powered sensor fusion technology on five Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The Intelligent Perception System (IPS) will integrate data from multiple sensors to enhance situational awareness and enable real-time updates while at sea. This initiative builds on the success of a previous pilot program, DECK, and aims to improve naval operations through advanced technology.

The U.S. Department of War is preparing to order 60,000 small attack drones from nine companies following the Gauntlet II testing at Fort Carson, Colorado, in August 2026. Perennial Autonomy and Neros are set to receive the maximum initial orders of 8,000 drones each. This initiative is part of the Drone Dominance Program, which aims to enhance the U.S. military's drone capabilities and establish a domestic industrial base for low-cost drones.

Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Department of War finalized a framework for a 10-year deal to produce 850 F-35 aircraft, maintaining a production rate of 156 jets annually. This agreement includes spare parts and modification kits, aiming to enhance logistics and readiness across the fleet. The U.S. plans to acquire a total of 2,456 F-35s, supporting significant economic activity and job creation.

The report emphasizes the importance of preserving U.S. Navy battleships as museum ships, highlighting their historical significance and the logistical challenges in maintaining them. Key locations mentioned include Pearl Harbor and Norfolk, where notable ships like the USS Missouri and USS Wisconsin are located. The discussion also touches on the need for funding and manpower to ensure these vessels remain part of America's naval heritage.

The Pentagon is advancing the development of ketamine wafers, known as Wafermine, for battlefield use, following a $41 million contract with iX Biopharma. An emergency authorization is being sought to allow its use before full FDA approval, in response to a military emergency declaration. This initiative aims to provide effective pain management for U.S. troops facing severe injuries.

The Department of War and Lockheed Martin finalized a landmark 10-year framework agreement on October 22, 2026, to enhance the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter fleet. This agreement ensures the procurement of at least 850 U.S. aircraft and includes a $7 billion investment from Lockheed Martin to support the program. It aims to modernize and expand America's tactical aircraft capabilities, pending Congressional approval.

The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin reached a framework agreement for the production and sustainment of at least 850 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters over the next decade. This deal includes a steady production rate of 156 aircraft annually and a $7 billion investment from Lockheed for program initiatives. The agreement aims to enhance the efficiency and resilience of the F-35 supply chain, pending legislative approval.

The U.S. Air Force tested military cargo delivery using a SpaceX Starfall capsule on October 20, 2023, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The test involved sending cargo pods containing survival gear and medical equipment into space and back to assess their durability. This initiative aims to enable rapid delivery of supplies to troops globally within hours, as part of the Rocket Cargo project.

The Missile Defense Agency extended Raytheon's contract for the AN/TPY-2 missile defense radars by $394 million, raising the total contract value to nearly $3 billion. This extension allows Raytheon to continue operating and maintaining the radars until October 31, 2028, supporting eight THAAD batteries across various locations, including Fort Bliss and South Korea. The radars have faced damage during the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The U.S. Navy contracted Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory for up to $47.7 million to identify vulnerabilities in submarines and subsea warfare assets. The contract, announced on October 21, 2023, will support the Navy's Undersea Security Program and will run until October 2031, with most work occurring in Laurel, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. This initiative aims to enhance the security of U.S. submarines against potential adversaries.

The U.S. Army has seen a significant increase in soldiers utilizing new dining halls, with meal rates tripling at some locations. Four new facilities opened recently, and soldiers can now order meals via a phone app. The Army aims to enhance dining options and flexibility for soldiers, with a focus on increasing on-base dining utilization.

L3Harris Technologies opened a new solid rocket motor production facility in Camden, Arkansas, aimed at doubling its production capacity. This facility will support the U.S. Army's Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS).

U.S. Army I Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Matt McFarlane stated that the timeline for deploying the NGC2 command-and-control system is contingent on funding approval. The Army has awarded a contract worth up to $1.8 billion to Anduril Industries for the system's development, with a proposed budget of $904 million for fiscal 2027. The I Corps, which oversees troops in the Indo-Pacific, is also involved with the Security Assistance Group-Ukraine.

The U.S. Marine Corps announced a new licensing agreement on October 1, 2025, allowing all commands and organizations, including reserves, to access the Maven Smart System. This expansion enables 5,500 Marines to utilize the AI-enabled platform for real-time decision-making and operational workflows, significantly enhancing command and control capabilities across the service.