Analysis & Reports
AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources
Pentagon orders 14,000 attack drones from Neros
The U.S. Department of War ordered 14,000 attack drones and 800 additional drones from Neros on September 30, 2023, following the company's success in the Pentagon's Drone Dominance competition. Neros's orders are part of a larger initiative to procure 60,000 drones, with the company being a leading supplier in this effort. The total value of the orders is reported to exceed $100 million, reflecting the growing demand for advanced drone technology in military operations.
U.S. Navy Evaluates SeaGuardian(r) UAS at Whidbey Island
The U.S. Navy evaluated the SeaGuardian(r) UAS at Whidbey Island on 30 September 2026. This evaluation highlights the U.S. Navy's interest in the Maritime MQ-9B as a potential workhorse for naval operations.
Saudi Arabia Approaches 48 F-35 Fighters Worth $24.3 Billion in 2026 and Restructures Its Defense Partnerships
Saudi Arabia is nearing a deal to acquire 48 F-35 aircraft worth $24.3 billion, with discussions on defense partnerships occurring with the UK and France. The U.S. approved the sale on September 17, 2026, marking a significant step in Saudi Arabia's military capabilities. This acquisition aims to enhance its air force while diversifying its defense relationships, indicating a strategic shift in its defense posture.
Ahmed Al-RashidThu Oct 01 2026Loading...In the 2026 Sword Exercise, Japan's Type 25 missile participates for the first time, connecting Japan and the U.S. counterattack capabilities.
Japan's Type 25 missile will participate in the Japan-U.S. joint exercise 'Riken 26' for the first time from October 19 to 29, 2026, in Kumamoto City. Approximately 45,000 Self-Defense Force personnel will be involved, showcasing Japan's advancements in retaliatory capabilities. The exercise will not involve live fire but will focus on integrating command and control with U.S. forces.
Tanaka TakashiThu Oct 01 2026Loading...
The U.S. Plans to Establish a Four-Star Autonomous Warfare Command as the PLA's Unmanned Operations Enter a System Competition
The U.S. Department of Defense announced plans to establish a four-star autonomous warfare command (AUTOWARCOM) by October 2027 to integrate unmanned systems into military operations. This initiative aims to streamline procurement, testing, and training processes for drones and precision strike missiles. The establishment of AUTOWARCOM is expected to enhance U.S. operational capabilities, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, and poses challenges for the Chinese military's unmanned systems integration.
Li MinghuiThu Oct 01 2026Loading...J-15T Mecha Activated, Forward Support for "Blue Island"!
In 2045, the J-15T Mech was activated and deployed to support Blue Island amid an alien threat. The J-35 Mech and KJ-600 Mech engaged in combat with alien spacecraft, resulting in significant damage to the J-15T Mech. The Yun-20B was called to initiate rescue operations as multiple alien aircraft approached the area.
"First Operational Use of the Type 25 Missile by the Ground Self-Defense Force in Japan-U.S. Joint Exercises 2026 to Realize Southwest Defense"
Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) will deploy the Type 25 anti-ship missile for the first time during a joint exercise with the U.S. military in October 2026. The exercise will focus on operational integration, with the JGSDF sharing target information and launch procedures with U.S. forces, although no live-fire exercises will be conducted. This deployment marks a significant step in Japan's defense capabilities amid regional security concerns.
Tanaka TakashiThu Oct 01 2026Loading...
NASA Has Made Job Offers to 2 Retired Engineers in Their Seventies to Help Restart an SR-71 Blackbird. The Aircraft Last Flew on October 9, 1999, and Nobody Has Turned Its Engines Since.
NASA is seeking to restore the SR-71 Blackbird, making job offers to two retired engineers, Mike Relja and Tim Conners, who are in their seventies. This initiative follows nearly 27 years since the aircraft's last flight on October 9, 1999, and aims to leverage their expertise for potential supersonic flight research. The SR-71 has been on display at Edwards Air Force Base, California, since its retirement.
The S-3 Viking: The Submarine-Hunting “War Hoover” Has No Equal Today on a US Navy Nuclear Aircraft Carrier
The S-3 Viking, a multi-role aircraft, served the U.S. Navy from 1974 until its retirement in 2021, primarily in anti-submarine warfare and electronic surveillance roles. It was capable of high-speed operations and had a significant operational range, with variants like the S-3B able to launch Harpoon missiles. The aircraft was phased out as newer technologies emerged, with the last operational units retired in 2016.
An F-14 Tomcat Pilot Could Sweep His Wings Back by Hand to Show an Enemy Fighter a False Airspeed. He Could Not Sweep Them Forward of What the Computer Commanded, Because the Lift Would Have Damaged the Aircraft.
The F-14 Tomcat, operated by the U.S. Navy, utilized a variable-sweep wing design to enhance its performance in air combat. Pilots could manually adjust the wings to mislead enemy fighters about their airspeed. The aircraft was capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 2.34 and was primarily used for fleet defense during the Cold War. Its design allowed for effective dogfighting capabilities, despite its main role as an interceptor.
Defense Business Brief: End-of-fiscal-year advice for founders; Navy drone boats; Powerus to go public
The U.S. Navy plans to purchase 30 medium-sized unmanned surface vessels from three companies, with deliveries expected in the last quarter of 2027. Each company will build 10 vessels, and six out of seven companies successfully completed sea trials for the program's first phase. Phase 2 testing is set to begin on November 16, with broader requirements that may involve collaboration with other military services.
Hegseth announces plans for new 4-star drone command, among other initiatives
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the establishment of a new four-star drone command, AUTOWARCOM, during a speech at Quantico, Virginia, on September 30, 2026. He also outlined significant cuts to general officer positions, reducing the number of generals and admirals by 10%. Additionally, Project Agincourt was introduced to advance the development of autonomous military systems.
Saronic breaks ground on new Port Alpha shipyard in Texas
Saronic broke ground on its new shipyard, Port Alpha, in Brownsville, Texas, aiming to produce Landing Craft Utility vessels for the U.S. Navy. The facility will initially cover 800 acres, with plans to expand to 4,000 acres, and is expected to create 10,000 jobs. Saronic has invested $300 million in infrastructure to support the production of military vessels, including autonomous and manned ships.
U.S. Air Force awards $2.38B contract to Boeing for 22 F-15EX
The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract for the production of 22 F-15EX Eagle II aircraft, utilizing funds from the 2026 budget. This contract, part of Lot 7, addresses production disruptions and inflation in the defense sector. Boeing is now contracted for a total of 120 aircraft, aimed at modernizing the Air Force's fighter fleet.
US Air Force awards $2.38B contract to Boeing for 22 F-15EX
The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract for the production of 22 F-15EX Eagle II aircraft. This contract is part of Lot 7, which addresses production disruptions and inflation, and is funded through the 2026 budget. Boeing is now contracted to produce a total of 120 aircraft, aimed at modernizing the Air Force's fighter fleet.
Army taps 5 companies for PrSM Inc 4 prototypes
The U.S. Army selected five companies to develop prototypes for the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 4 program in Washington. The Increment 4 missile aims to strike targets at ranges of at least 1,000 km and will be launched from the M142 HIMARS system. A competitive fly-off is planned for fiscal 2027, with a final down select expected in fiscal 2030. Lockheed Martin also received a $1.2 billion contract for the earlier PrSM Increment 2 system.
The US Navy’s Iowa-Class Battleships Cost a Fortune for a Few Years at Sea. NASA’s SR-71 Blackbird Is Next
NASA is working to restore an SR-71 Blackbird at Edwards Air Force Base by assembling a team of former personnel to address maintenance issues. The project faces significant challenges due to the aircraft's age and the loss of expertise in maintaining such complex systems. This effort reflects a broader trend of restoring older military equipment, similar to past attempts with the Iowa-class battleships.
► ASELSAN strengthens partnership with Azerbaijan at ADEX 2026
ASELSAN signed agreements with Azerbaijan on September 30, 2026, to establish a strategic production facility in Nakhchivan and procure ALP 100 Multifunction AESA Air Surveillance Radar systems for the Azerbaijani Air Force. This collaboration aims to enhance Azerbaijan's defense manufacturing capabilities and support the integration of advanced technologies into its military platforms. ASELSAN also showcased a range of defense technologies at the Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition (ADEX 2026).
Russia Worked Out That Ammunition Stored in the Fighting Compartment Was Blowing Its Tanks Apart, So the T-90M Got a Bustle Magazine With Blowout Panels. It Kept the Carousel Under the Crew Anyway. Oryx Has Now Documented 159 T-90M Losses — More Than Russia Had When the War Began.
The Russian Army has modified the T-90M tank, incorporating a bustle magazine and blowout panels to enhance safety after combat experiences in Ukraine revealed vulnerabilities. As of September 1, 2026, Oryx has documented 159 losses of the T-90M, highlighting significant attrition. The tank remains the most advanced in Russian service, but its effectiveness has been challenged by modern warfare tactics and equipment.
U.S. Navy Evaluates SeaGuardian UAS at Whidbey Island
The U.S. Navy evaluated the MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAS at Whidbey Island on 30 September 2026. This evaluation was part of a capability assessment for the 7th Fleet, showcasing the drone's potential as a force multiplier for various missions. The event included discussions on operational tactics and procedures for Anti-Submarine Warfare.
