Analysis & Reports

Army soldiers conducted a training exercise called Ivy Mass at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site in May 2026, testing their responses to electromagnetic warfare techniques. The exercise involved 11 cyber red team units and high-powered jammers, revealing that partial degradation of communications was more effective than complete jamming. The Army aims to enhance its command and control capabilities based on the lessons learned from this event.

DroneShield demonstrated its counter-unmanned aircraft system capabilities alongside Parsons Corporation in Warrenton on 16 June 2026. The event showcased advanced drone detection, electronic warfare, and mitigation technologies, emphasizing the importance of interoperability and open architectures in addressing evolving drone threats. This collaboration aims to enhance situational awareness and decision-making in security operations.

DroneShield demonstrated its counter-UAS solutions alongside Parsons Corporation in Warrenton, VA on 16 June 2026. The event showcased the interoperability of advanced sensing, command-and-control, and counter-drone technologies, emphasizing the need for organizations to adapt to evolving drone threats. This collaboration highlighted the importance of industry partnerships in enhancing airspace security.

Congress is investigating the Pentagon's use of Judge Advocate Generals (JAGs) in civilian roles, particularly as immigration judges, due to concerns about military readiness and morale. Senator Elizabeth Warren's provision in the 2027 NDAA aims to review this practice, which has seen around 600 JAGs assigned to the Justice Department. The investigation follows significant changes made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the military's legal staff, raising concerns about the experience of JAGs in these roles.

Sailors assigned to military operations at the U.S.-Mexico border are now eligible for the Mexican Border Defense Medal, requiring at least 30 days of deployment within 100 miles of the border. Since January 2025, over 10,000 personnel, including sailors, have been deployed to support Customs and Border Protection. The new medal replaces the Armed Forces Service Medal and aligns with recent Department of Defense guidelines.

Airmen from the Rhode Island National Guard and soldiers from the Michigan National Guard conducted a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration training exercise at Fort Irwin, California, from June 6-13. They flew the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System over 2,000 miles to test rapid deployment capabilities and simulate an artillery strike. This exercise is part of the new Minuteman Rotation program, which integrates National Guard troops with active-duty personnel.

U.S. Army pilots tested 3D spatial audio technology in Black Hawk helicopters at Fort Novosel, Alabama. The new system aims to enhance communication clarity by allowing pilots to distinguish between multiple simultaneous radio conversations. The installation required over 231 man-hours and was evaluated over two days. The technology is part of a broader effort to modernize cockpit audio systems for improved situational awareness during flight operations.

Senators are advocating for the Pentagon to establish a new combatant command focused on autonomous warfare, led by a four-star general. This initiative, inspired by Ukraine's drone military service, aims to integrate unmanned systems across various domains. The Senate Armed Services Committee's version of the National Defense Authorization Act passed with an 18-9 vote, supporting the creation of this command with specific authorities for testing and evaluation of emerging weapons.

Vegvisir is launching a communications module for military drones at Eurosatory 2026, aimed at maintaining connectivity in contested environments. The module supports various communication channels and is designed for harsh field conditions. It has already secured its first European customer and is being tested in nine countries, including the US and Australia.

Ondas Inc. launched LADOS, a Layered Autonomous Defense Operational C2 System, on June 10, 2026, in West Palm Beach. This system integrates various defense technologies to enhance operational capabilities across multiple domains, supporting mission execution and coordination. LADOS aims to reduce operator workload and improve decision-making in complex defense environments.

DARPA announced plans on June 5, 2026, to develop a Lightweight Universal Codec (LUC) aimed at enhancing military communications by enabling interoperability across various error correction standards. This initiative, led by Allyson O’Brien, seeks to create a single encoder-decoder system that can adapt to changing battlefield conditions, improving efficiency and reducing power consumption for military operations.

The U.S. plans to withdraw key military assets from NATO's rapid reaction forces, including an aircraft carrier strike group and numerous fighter jets, raising concerns about NATO's ability to deter Russian threats. This decision follows a broader strategy to reduce U.S. military presence in Europe, with 5000 troops set to leave Germany. The upcoming NATO summit in Ankara will discuss the implications of these changes for European defense responsibilities.

House Republicans voted to remove a provision from the defense policy bill that would have restricted military lawyers from serving in civilian roles, such as immigration judges. The amendment, proposed by Rep. Jason Crow, was defeated in a 31-26 vote during the House Armed Services Committee's markup. This decision has raised concerns about the implications for military legal personnel and their focus on military-related duties.

The People's Liberation Army Navy's Liaoning aircraft carrier conducted 170 deck cycles over three days from May 26 to 28, 2026, in the Western Pacific, south of Japan. The carrier group included five vessels, demonstrating operational capabilities and rehearsing for potential future military engagements. This activity complicates US and allied operations in the region, indicating a shift in the PLAN's operational comfort.

Marcus ChenThu Jun 04 2026Loading...

The Defense Cyber Defense Command (DCDC) is developing a framework to respond to cyberattacks on critical infrastructure in Baltimore. This initiative includes creating 'digital green zones' to identify and secure critical data. The DCDC, elevated to a sub-unified command under US Cyber Command in May 2025, aims to establish clear command and control lines for cyber defense, especially in light of threats from Chinese hackers targeting U.S. infrastructure.

The U.S. Army is modernizing its network to address vulnerabilities exposed by artificial intelligence capabilities, as stated by Army IT official David Markowitz at the TechNet Cyber conference in Baltimore. He emphasized the need for rapid threat assessment and response to maintain network security. The Army faces challenges in adapting its command and control systems and requires cultural changes to effectively manage these new threats.

The U.S. and Chinese militaries conducted a meeting in Hawaii on May 28-29, 2026, to discuss maritime military security and safety protocols. They emphasized the importance of effective communication to enhance mutual understanding and avoid misunderstandings. China reiterated its opposition to actions that threaten its sovereignty and security.

Gen. Frank Donovan leads U.S. Southern Command, focusing on the integration of autonomous warfare systems to enhance operational capabilities. He emphasizes the need for a robust data environment to support these systems in diverse terrains. The command is working on establishing the SOUTHCOM Autonomous Warfare Command to address operational gaps and improve coordination with partners.

Engineers from major defense contractors are developing software patches at Fort Carson to integrate military systems, with some already deployed to troops in CENTCOM. This initiative, part of Project Jailbreak, aims to enhance command-and-control capabilities and reduce the complexity of battlefield information. The Army plans to push additional patches within the next 30 days to improve operational effectiveness.

The People's Liberation Army Navy conducted training exercises in the West Pacific from May 25-26, 2023, involving the Liaoning aircraft carrier and the newly integrated 054B Luohe frigate. The naval group, which included five ships, performed fixed-wing and helicopter operations, showcasing a shift towards a more integrated naval task force. This exercise highlights the PLA Navy's evolving capabilities and operational strategies in the region.

Li MinghuiFri May 29 2026Loading...