Analysis & Reports

The U.S. Army expanded the Unmanned Advanced Lethality Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama, increasing live drone engagements from 5 to 12 per class. This change aims to enhance tactical training for drone operators, incorporating real-world scenarios and live explosives. The course, which began in August 2025, has attracted interest from various military branches, reflecting the growing importance of drone operations in modern warfare.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed military support for Ukraine, including the production of Patriot missile interceptors, during a meeting in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for anti-ballistic missile systems and held talks with U.S. senators to secure further military aid. The discussions come amid stalled peace talks with Russia and follow the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, a key advocate for Ukraine.

AEVEX Corp. secured $88.1 million in orders for long-range precision strike systems on July 28, 2026, aimed at U.S. government customers. The company, based in Solana Beach, California, is known for its Phoenix Ghost drones, which have been supplied to Ukraine. This order includes 4,800 additional drone units for the European Command area, reflecting ongoing military procurement efforts amid geopolitical tensions.

The UK transferred the intellectual property for the Stone Cloak electronic jammer to Ukraine on 27 July 2023, enabling mass production of the device designed to disrupt Russian air defenses. This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance Ukraine's military capabilities and reduce dependency on foreign donations. The UK aims to support Ukraine while simultaneously advancing its own defense technology development.

Alexandra ReevesWed Jul 29 2026Loading...

BAE Systems is actively supplying 26 Archer self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine and 18 to Latvia, with Canada considering a purchase of 80-98 units. The company is ramping up production capacity to meet increasing demand for artillery systems, including the Tridon Mk2 air defense system. The Archer has been demonstrated to the US military and is combat proven, while the Tridon Mk2 is designed to counter drone threats and is now in full production.

Ukraine is set to mass-produce the Stone Cloak radar jammer to enhance drone strikes on Russian targets. This development was announced during the Sea Breeze joint exercise in Portsmouth, where Ukrainian and British forces focused on countering Russian air defenses. The UK has previously supplied Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, and both nations are collaborating on a new long-range strike drone called Breakstop.

Ukraine is accelerating drone strikes on Russian targets using the newly developed Stone Cloak radar jammer, which they can now mass-produce. This development was announced during a meeting between Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and British Prime Minister Burnham in Portsmouth. The U.K. has previously supplied Storm Shadow missiles, and Ukraine has also introduced its own long-range missile, the Flamingo, to enhance its strike capabilities against Russia.

The U.S. Air Force confirmed that the B-21 Raider will operate with a two-pilot crew, ending speculation about a single-pilot configuration. A new program will allow experienced Weapons System Officers and Combat Systems Officers to transition into pilot roles. The B-21 is expected to enter operational service in 2027 and will serve as the backbone of the U.S. bomber fleet, replacing older models.

The U.S. Marine Corps accepted its final MV-22 Osprey in Washington today, completing the program of record. The Osprey fleet, which has logged over 686,500 flight hours since 2007, will undergo modernization initiatives to remain operational through 2055. Recent fatal crashes have led to safety inspections and restrictions on the fleet.

The Marine Corps took delivery of the final MV-22B Osprey in Amarillo, Texas, on Tuesday, completing a procurement of 359 aircraft over two decades. The MV-22B serves as the primary transport aircraft for Marines, significantly enhancing operational capabilities. It has logged over 686,500 flight hours and accounts for 75% of the Corps' rotary-wing assault support capability.

The US Navy is retiring four Ohio-class guided-missile submarines and replacing them with Virginia-class Block V submarines, which will feature the Virginia Payload Module to enhance missile capacity. The Navy plans to procure 10 Block V boats, with construction shared between General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding. These submarines will significantly increase the Navy's strike capabilities and are designed for various missions, including land strikes and intelligence operations.

USS George Washington underwent a lengthy overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding, taking 2,120 days instead of the planned 48 months, due to various logistical challenges and hidden damages. The carrier returned to Navy control on May 25, 2023, after extensive modernization, including upgrades to its systems and equipment. It is set to resume operations in Yokosuka, Japan, as the only forward-deployed American aircraft carrier in the region.

The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) is delayed in its delivery to the U.S. Navy, now scheduled for March 2027, due to ongoing issues with its Advanced Arresting Gear and Advanced Weapons Elevators. This delay reduces the operational fleet to 10 carriers temporarily. The Kennedy features significant design improvements over its predecessor, the USS Gerald R. Ford, including enhanced capabilities for F-35C operations and a more efficient construction approach.

Boeing incurred a $280 million charge on the VC-25B program in Washington, pushing total losses over $3 billion. The company is investing in production and certification resources to mitigate risks as it aims to deliver the first aircraft by mid-2028. Boeing's defense unit reported negative operating margins due to this charge, but executives remain confident in future profitability.

Anduril Industries began production of the YFQ-44A unmanned aircraft at its facility in Pickaway County, Ohio. This marks a significant step in the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, with a production capacity of 150 units per year. The YFQ-44A is designed to enhance air superiority and was tested in a live-fire exercise two weeks prior to its production announcement.

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) is undergoing a midlife refueling and overhaul in Norfolk, Virginia, projected to be completed by October 2026, over 14 months behind schedule. The carrier, with a crew of 6,500, will return to Bremerton, Washington after the overhaul. This delay poses challenges for U.S. Navy operations, particularly amid ongoing tensions with Iran.

The US Navy is developing the Virginia-class Block VI submarines to enhance operational capabilities, focusing on unmanned operations and seabed missions. These submarines will retain the Virginia Payload Module for increased Tomahawk missile capacity. However, production is hampered by workforce shortages and supplier issues, impacting the Navy's ability to meet demand for advanced undersea platforms.

The U.S. Air Force is evaluating the possibility of reactivating retired B-52 Stratofortresses from the boneyard due to increased operational demands in the Middle East. This consideration was discussed by Col. Timothy Spaulding during a recent media roundtable in Dayton, Ohio. Currently, the Air Force operates 76 B-52s and plans to keep the fleet flying until at least the 2050s through modernization efforts.

The United States Air Force is considering reviving scrapped B-52 Stratofortresses from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base due to operational demands in the Middle East. Currently, there are 76 B-52s in service, and the Air Force plans to modernize the fleet to keep them operational until at least the 2050s. Recent discussions highlighted the challenges and considerations involved in this potential revival.

The U.S. Air Force conducted a real-world combat exercise at Creech Air Force Base on July 27, 2026, testing unmanned fighter jets as part of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. The exercise involved multiple sorties to assess the aircraft's reliability and integration with manned jets, marking a significant step in the development of semi-autonomous drones. Production contracts for 150 aircraft were awarded to Anduril and General Atomics, reflecting the Air Force's commitment to advancing drone technology for future combat operations.