Analysis & Reports

The U.S. Navy's SSN(X) attack submarine program has been delayed to FY2040 due to budget constraints and resource management issues. The cost per hull has escalated to $8 billion, raising concerns about the Navy's undersea capabilities against near-peer adversaries like China and Russia. Ongoing debates regarding nuclear fuel types further complicate the program's future.

Gulf nations are actively seeking assistance from Ukraine to enhance their counter-drone capabilities amid ongoing threats from Iranian drones. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed that teams have been dispatched to the Middle East to showcase drone defense technologies. Ukrainian manufacturers report a capacity to produce thousands of interceptor drones daily, but export controls remain a challenge for international cooperation.

U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft are currently engaged in maritime interdiction operations targeting Iranian fast-attack craft in the Strait of Hormuz. This action is part of Operation Epic Fury, with over 100 Iranian naval vessels reportedly destroyed. The A-10's capabilities allow for persistent overwatch and effective engagement of small surface craft.

U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft are currently engaged in maritime interdiction operations targeting Iranian fast-attack craft in the Strait of Hormuz. This engagement is part of Operation Epic Fury, with U.S. Central Command reporting the destruction of over 100 Iranian naval vessels. The A-10's capabilities allow for persistent overwatch and effective engagement of small surface craft.

The Pentagon is seeking $200 billion in funding for the ongoing war in Iran, which began on February 28, 2023. U.S. and Israeli forces have conducted airstrikes, targeting over 7,000 sites, including missile stockpiles and drone launch sites. The military campaign, known as Operation Epic Fury, has incurred costs of $12 billion so far.

The U.S. Military implemented a new policy requiring troops to prove their sincerely held religious beliefs for beard waivers. Effective March 11, 2023, the policy mandates sworn statements and input from commanders, with all existing waivers needing reevaluation within 90 days. This change follows skepticism expressed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the necessity of such waivers.

China is converting Xi’an Y-20 cargo planes into YY-20/YU-20 aerial tankers to enhance its air-to-air refueling capabilities, significantly extending the operational range of its J-20 and J-35 stealth fighters. By 2035, the aerial tanker fleet is expected to reach 100 aircraft, allowing for increased military operations in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly concerning Taiwan. This development poses a challenge to U.S. air superiority in the area.

Admiral Chester Nimitz led the U.S. Navy in strategic operations across the Pacific during World War II from 1941 to 1945. He prioritized aircraft carriers and intelligence, achieving significant victories at the Battle of Midway and through the island-hopping campaign. Nimitz's leadership and logistical innovations enabled sustained naval power, culminating in Japan's surrender aboard the USS Missouri in September 1945.

The U.S. military is rapidly depleting its Tomahawk missile inventory due to ongoing operations in the Middle East, raising concerns about production capacity to meet future demands, especially in the Indo-Pacific. Raytheon faces challenges in replenishing stocks due to supply chain bottlenecks and labor shortages. This situation could force the U.S. to make difficult choices between engagements in different theaters.

The U.S. military is conducting operations in Iran, having struck 7,000 targets, including maritime vessels and minelayers, as part of Operation Epic Fury. The Pentagon plans to request approximately $200 billion for these operations and to replenish munitions stockpiles. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that the funding request is aimed at ensuring U.S. defense capabilities are enhanced beyond current levels.

The B-21 Raider operates as a multi-domain airborne intelligence node, collecting and transmitting targeting data across air, land, sea, and space. It was unveiled on December 2, 2022, in Palmdale, California, and a second test aircraft joined the flight test campaign on September 11, 2023. The B-21 is designed to control drones and conduct surveillance while utilizing AI for real-time data integration and analysis.

The U.S. intelligence community has identified artificial intelligence as a major global threat in its 2026 Worldwide Threat Assessment. The report emphasizes AI's role in modern warfare, its use by China as a competitive advantage, and the proliferation of AI-generated misinformation. It warns of the risks associated with AI autonomy and the potential for authoritarian regimes to exploit AI for surveillance and disinformation.

The German navy is set to acquire four MEKO frigates from TKMS as a backup due to delays in the F126 program, with the first unit's construction starting in December 2023. This acquisition is part of a bridge solution to ensure anti-submarine capabilities by late 2029. Lawmakers have approved the preliminary contract, while negotiations continue with NVL for the F126 program's main contractor.

The U.S. Air Force and Navy are developing the F-47 and F/A-XX next-generation fighter jets, which are not expected to be operational until the mid-2030s. This delay forces reliance on older aircraft like the F-22 and F-35. Meanwhile, China has already deployed sixth-generation fighters, raising concerns about the U.S. maintaining air superiority. Political factors may jeopardize funding for these programs, which are critical for future military capabilities.

Leonardo acquired Iveco Defence Vehicles for €1.7 billion ($1.9 billion) to enhance its defense capabilities. This acquisition is part of Leonardo's strategy to strengthen its position as a leading Original Equipment Manufacturer in the land defense sector. The deal is expected to leverage the complementary strengths of both companies in providing integrated defense solutions across various platforms.

U.S. Apache helicopters are conducting airstrikes against Iranian-aligned militia groups in Iraq as part of military operations initiated on February 28, 2024. This action aims to suppress threats to U.S. forces and interests in the region. The U.S. embassy in Baghdad has faced repeated attacks from these militias, highlighting the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iranian proxies.

Saudi Arabia is building partnerships between government, local industries, and outside partners to achieve its defense goals as part of its Vision 2030 initiative. Joe Rahbany from Leonardo DRS discusses these efforts in an Arabic-language video.

German Eurofighter Typhoons achieved notional kills against USAF F-22 Raptors during the 2012 Red Flag Alaska exercise. The exercise highlighted the limitations of the F-22's stealth capabilities when forced into within-visual-range combat. This incident has been a point of pride for the German Luftwaffe, who claimed multiple kills, while contrasting with a recent real-world engagement where an F-35I Adir downed an Iranian Yak-130.

Sgt. 1st Class Christina Larson was awarded a Purple Heart during her retirement ceremony at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, on February 20, 2026, for injuries sustained from a car bomb attack in Afghanistan in 2015. The attack occurred while she was serving as a combat medic with the 911th Forward Surgical Team. Larson's injuries included a traumatic brain injury, leading to her medical retirement.

Sgt. 1st Class Christina Larson was awarded a Purple Heart on February 20, 2023, during her retirement ceremony at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, after suffering injuries from a car bomb in Kabul in 2015. The award was presented by Brig. Gen. Todd Traver, acknowledging her service and the long-overdue recognition of her traumatic brain injury and other medical issues resulting from the attack.