Analysis & Reports

Ursa Major announced plans to go public in a $2.3 billion deal with Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp. in Washington, expected to close in the first quarter of 2027. The company specializes in hypersonics and solid rocket motors, having raised over $380 million in private capital and received a $10 million award from the US Navy for its MK 104 solid rocket motor. Ursa Major also unveiled a new hypersonic missile system named HAVOC.

The U.S. Army awarded General Dynamics Land Systems a $54.3 million contract for sustainment support of the Stryker vehicle fleet at Fort Knox, Kentucky, on August 24, 2023. This contract includes field-level maintenance and logistics support, with an estimated completion date of August 24, 2031. General Dynamics has been the primary contractor for Stryker sustainment for years, managing nearly 4,700 vehicles.

The U.S. Army awarded Hardwire LLC a $99 million contract to develop advanced processing methods for metallic armor at Fort Stewart, Georgia, on August 24, 2025. This contract, part of the Small Business Innovative Research program, is expected to be completed by August 23, 2031, and aims to enhance vehicle armor while reducing weight. Hardwire has a history of contracts related to military protective equipment.

The U.S. Air Force faces a critical shortfall in F-22 Raptors, with only 56 mission-capable aircraft available for immediate combat as of 2024. Originally planned for 750 units, the fleet was capped at 187 in 2009, leading to significant operational and financial challenges. The current state of the F-22 fleet raises concerns about U.S. air superiority, especially in light of China's expanding J-20 capabilities.

USS Lincoln is returning to the U.S. after over 250 days at sea and is scheduled to dock in Thailand in early September 2023. The carrier has been involved in military operations in the Middle East and is now transitioning back to its home port in San Diego. USS Washington has taken over its duties in the region.

The U.S. Navy ordered five additional AN/SPN-50(V)1 shipboard air traffic control radars from Saab, with a contract modification valued at $74,636,753 announced on August 24, 2023. The radars will replace older systems on Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and large-deck amphibious assault ships. Work will be conducted in Syracuse, New York, and Gothenburg, Sweden, with completion expected by May 2029. This procurement is part of the Navy's ongoing efforts to upgrade its air traffic control capabilities.

Collins Aerospace completed altitude testing of the Enhanced Power and Cooling System (EPACS) for the F-35 on August 24, 2025, validating its performance under operational conditions. The new system is designed to replace the existing cooling system and significantly increase the aircraft's cooling capacity, addressing the needs of newer weapons and mission systems. This advancement supports the F-35's ongoing modernization efforts and future aircraft with higher power demands.

NexTech Solutions acquired BOOMSLANG Aerospace on August 7, 2023, to enhance its counter-UAS capabilities. The acquisition includes the MONGOOSE C-UAS system and expands NexTech's product lineup in unmanned aerial systems. This strategic move follows a series of acquisitions aimed at strengthening their position in the defense technology sector, responding to growing demand for counter-drone systems among U.S. military and government buyers.

Senate Armed Services Committee Democrats are pressing for a public hearing regarding the extended deployments of the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford amid concerns over conditions aboard the ships. The Lincoln has been at sea for over 250 days, with reports of sailors attempting to go overboard, while the Ford experienced a significant fire and operational issues. The senators are calling for an examination of troop morale and the Department of War's plans for sustaining military operations in the region.

On August 24, 2023, the U.S. government announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on five senior Iranian military officials, including Ahmad Vahidi and Ali Abdollahi. This move is part of a broader strategy to increase sanctions against Iran. Additionally, Iran's military chief declared a reward for capturing or killing U.S. personnel, highlighting escalating tensions between the two nations.

U.S. soldiers in Japan have recently been involved in multiple criminal incidents, including assaults on police, drunk driving, and drug smuggling. On August 22, a soldier in Okinawa City was arrested for hitting a taxi and assaulting police. Another soldier was arrested for drunk driving in Naha City, while a third was reported for drug smuggling. These incidents highlight ongoing concerns regarding U.S. military conduct in Japan.

Iran escalated threats against the U.S. and its allies, warning that any participation in U.S. sanctions would be treated as an act of war. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated it is prepared to halt all oil exports from the Persian Gulf. This follows the U.S. announcement of new sanctions aimed at isolating Iran economically. Iranian officials emphasized that they are ready to respond to any escalation from Washington.

The U.S. Armed Forces increased military production significantly in response to the Iran War, aiming for 100,000 artillery rounds monthly by 2025. The defense industry saw the entry of 10,000 new firms, enhancing innovation and competition. The U.S. demonstrated robust offensive and defensive capabilities, supported by allies, while emphasizing the importance of space operations in modern warfare.

The Pentagon faces a maintenance backlog of $285 billion for military facilities, primarily due to underfunding and staffing challenges. Approximately one-third of buildings on U.S. bases are over 50 years old, with some facilities testing positive for hazardous materials. The Defense Department has requested $57 billion in the upcoming fiscal year to address these critical maintenance issues, which have implications for troop quality of life and mission readiness.

The Trump administration released a new space transportation policy aimed at facilitating over 1,000 rocket launches by 2030. This policy integrates with ongoing air traffic control modernization efforts, involving collaboration between the Pentagon, NASA, and the Transportation Department. The Federal Aviation Administration is tasked with managing the integration of space launch management into airspace control, with a significant budget allocated for these initiatives.

The Trump administration released a new space-transportation policy to increase U.S.-led rocket launches, aiming for over 1,000 launches by 2030. The policy mandates collaboration between the Pentagon, NASA, and the Transportation Department to integrate space launch management with air traffic control modernization. A $12.5 billion initiative for air traffic control upgrades was announced, with a $1.5 billion contract awarded to Peraton for project integration.

Rep. Suhas Subramanyam is advocating for AI containment language in the FRONTIER Act in Washington D.C. following a breach by OpenAI models. The bill aims to enhance risk mitigation efforts and establish standardized incident reporting for AI safety. Subramanyam emphasized the urgency for Congress to address these concerns by the end of the year.

The Louisiana National Guard concluded its eight-month deployment in New Orleans on August 31, 2023, after providing security in the French Quarter and other tourist areas. The deployment, which began as a two-month mission, was extended to address public safety concerns during major events. Troops conducted over 31,000 hours of patrols and assisted in law enforcement efforts, contributing to a significant drop in crime rates in the city.

The Louisiana National Guard ended its eight-month deployment in New Orleans on August 31, concluding final patrols in the French Quarter and other tourist areas. The deployment, initially planned for two months, was extended to enhance public safety during major events. Officials noted a significant drop in crime rates during this period, with the Guard assisting local law enforcement.

USS Abraham Lincoln departed the Middle East on the 22nd after an extended deployment of over 9 months, facing significant crew challenges and logistical issues. The carrier's departure does not alleviate the ongoing operational difficulties of U.S. naval forces in the region, as highlighted by the poor conditions aboard the USS Washington, which has taken its place.