Analysis & Reports

Lockheed Martin announced the acquisition of Ultra Maritime for $3.45 billion to enhance undersea and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. This acquisition will strengthen Lockheed Martin's offerings to U.S. and allied partners. Ultra Maritime, which has improved its revenue and capabilities since being acquired by Advent in 2022, will now operate under Lockheed Martin's rotary and mission systems division. The U.S. Navy has also awarded Ultra Maritime a contract for the AN/SSQ-125B sonobuoy.

AZAK's unmanned ground vehicle successfully towed a 53,000-pound Palletized Load System truck during a demonstration in Huntsville, Alabama, in March 2026. The robot, weighing 500 pounds, demonstrated its capability to move over 100 times its weight, highlighting advancements in military logistics technology. This event is part of AZAK's ongoing collaboration with the U.S. Army to enhance supply operations in challenging environments.

The USS Enterprise, retired by the U.S. Navy in 2012, is undergoing a complex dismantling process that will not be completed until 2029. The ship's nuclear reactor must be defueled and its radioactive materials disposed of, with spent fuel sent to Idaho and reactor compartments buried in Washington State. A commercial contract for dismantling was awarded in 2025, but legal disputes have delayed the process.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is facing significant delays in delivering new weapons systems, with the average delivery time now exceeding 12 years. The Government Accountability Office's 2026 report highlights that many major defense acquisition programs are struggling with cost increases and technological immaturity. Specific programs, such as the MQ-25 Stingray and B-52 radar modernization, are experiencing notable delays and challenges in their development and deployment.

The GCAP Agency awarded a £4.6 billion ($6.1 billion) contract on July 3 in Washington to fund the concept and assessment phase of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). This contract supports the joint design development of a sixth-generation fighter, with the UK, Italy, and Japan collaborating on the project. The program aims to deliver a next-gen stealth fighter by 2035, following a significant commitment from the UK of £8.6 billion over the next four years.

The White House submitted an $87.6 billion supplemental funding request for military operations related to the Iran war, with $67.1 billion allocated to the Pentagon. This includes $21 billion for munitions and $17.3 billion for operational costs. The request complicates the budget process in Washington, facing significant resistance from Congress, particularly among Democrats opposed to the war funding.

In 2024, the U.S. Navy introduced the AIM-174, a new long-range air-to-air missile, marking a return to capabilities lost with the retirement of the AIM-54 Phoenix in 2004. The Phoenix, which served for three decades, had a poor combat record, with no confirmed kills by U.S. forces, while Iran, its only export customer, achieved significant success with it during the Iran-Iraq War.

MKE demonstrated its TOLGA Short-Range Air Defence System during a live-fire event on July 3, 2026, attended by 64 military attachés from 24 countries, including NATO and Gulf states. The system successfully neutralized all aerial threats in seven operational scenarios, achieving a 100% success rate. TOLGA integrates advanced technologies for layered air defense against various aerial threats.

The U.S. Air Force is exploring the potential of the F-35's AN/APG-85 radar to function as a directed-energy weapon. During a Senate hearing, Lieutenant General Greg Masiello highlighted the radar's significant cooling requirements, which may indicate its capability to deliver high-power microwave attacks. Defense analyst Bill Sweetman supports this theory, suggesting that advancements in radar technology could enable the F-35 to target enemy electronics effectively.

Two YF-23 stealth fighters, built by Northrop and McDonnell Douglas, exist in contrasting conditions: PAV-1 is honored indoors at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Ohio, while PAV-2 is displayed outdoors at the Western Museum of Flight in California, missing its engines. Both prototypes were part of the Advanced Tactical Fighter competition, but only PAV-1 remains fully intact and preserved.

Northrop Grumman redesigned the B-2 Bomber in the 1980s for a low-altitude mission that was ultimately canceled, leading to unnecessary costs and complexity. The new B-21 Raider, currently in flight testing, omits the B-2's sawtooth design, indicating a return to a simpler, high-altitude focus. This design choice reflects lessons learned from the B-2 program, aiming to avoid costly mid-development changes and maintain operational efficiency.

In 1997, the U.S. purchased 21 MiG-29 fighter jets from Moldova for $40 million to prevent their acquisition by Iran. The jets were dismantled and sent to Ohio for intelligence purposes. Moldova's defense minister, Valeriu Pasat, was later imprisoned for selling the jets too cheaply. Six MiG-29s remained unsold in Moldova, highlighting the complexities of the deal.

On December 17, 1958, the U.S. Navy selected the F-4 Phantom II as its next fleet-defense fighter, rejecting the Vought Crusader III. This decision resulted in the cancellation of Vought's major programs, leading to nearly 4,000 job losses. The Crusader III, which had superior speed and performance, was later used by NASA for sonic boom research, but no airframes remain today.

The U.S. Armed Forces conducted a nine-hour airshow in Washington, D.C. on July 4th, 2023, featuring hundreds of planes from various military branches. The event included historic F-5s, modern fighter jets, and military parachute teams. The airshow was scheduled to have multiple waves of aircraft, with the final event planned for 10:36 p.m. alongside a fireworks display.

Canada's Armed Forces adopted the CMAR service rifle, which includes a suppressor, as standard equipment for infantry soldiers. This shift reflects a broader trend of equipping regular troops with suppressors, enhancing noise reduction and combat effectiveness. The report highlights the technological advancements in suppressors and their importance in military training and operations.

BAE Systems released live-fire footage of its Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon System (MDACS) on July 2, 2026, showcasing its capabilities in modern warfare. The U.S. Army has allocated approximately $646 million for the development of MDACS, which aims to solve the cost-exchange problem in air defense. The system includes advanced features such as the Hypervelocity Projectile, capable of reaching targets over 100 nautical miles away, and is designed for rapid deployment via C-130 aircraft.

Pratt & Whitney announced that its F119 engine has surpassed one million flight hours, a milestone unmatched by rival manufacturers. This engine powers the F-22 Raptor, providing exceptional thrust and efficiency, and enabling supercruise capabilities. The F119's advanced design and manufacturing techniques contribute to its reliability and performance, solidifying its role in U.S. air dominance.

France is constructing the France Libre aircraft carrier, set to enter service in 2038, with a budget of €10 billion. The project involves Naval Group, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, and TechnicAtome, and relies on American-made electromagnetic catapults. The construction will mobilize around 800 suppliers and create up to 14,000 jobs, with a focus on maintaining France's naval capabilities.

On December 22, 2023, the U.S. Navy announced plans to construct 15 new Trump-class battleships, with the first ship, USS Defiant, projected to cost between $17.6 to $18.9 billion. These battleships will be equipped with hypersonic missiles and vertical launch systems, marking a significant shift from traditional battleship designs. The initiative has faced criticism regarding its practicality and budget implications.

The UK government proceeded with the construction of two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers from 2010 to 2026, finding it more cost-effective than cancellation. The program, which ultimately cost over £6 billion, involved multiple shipyards and significant logistical coordination. The carriers are designed to operate the F-35B Lightning II and have faced operational challenges since their deployment.