Today's Defense Pulse
UK MOD issues new RA 5219 rules for flight‑test instrumentation and data recorders
Regulatory Article 5219 now mandates specific sensors, recorder capacities, data‑retention periods and compliance procedures for UK military air‑system flight trials. The latest Issue 8 revision was released on 29 May 2026, replacing earlier versions dating back to 2014. The rule applies to all future flight‑test programs of air platforms.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Disciplined Growth Acquisition Corp raises $150M in IPO
Growing Cracks in the BRICS+ Wall
The 2026 Davos forum highlighted a widening rift between President Trump’s hyper‑transactional Board of Peace (BoP) and the consensus‑driven BRICS+ alliance. While the BoP can mobilise billion‑dollar initiatives within weeks, BRICS+ remains mired in slow multilateralism, hampered by its recent expansion to over twenty members. Divergent priorities of China’s economic agenda, Russia’s military focus, and India’s strategic autonomy further erode cohesion. The bloc’s broadened geographic footprint has sacrificed collective action, leaving it vulnerable in a world increasingly favouring swift bilateral deals.
Iran's Internet Shutdown, Anthropic's UK Partnership, and the Dutch Dilemma of Strategic Autonomy
This episode examines the growing push for digital sovereignty in Europe, spotlighting the Dutch dilemma over US‑owned cloud providers, France’s decision to replace Zoom and Teams with a home‑grown video platform, and broader AI‑driven public‑service reforms. It highlights how the...
The Role of Foreign Fighters in a Taiwan Resistance Scenario
The article examines how Taiwan could incorporate foreign volunteers into a resistance movement if the island were occupied by the PLA, drawing lessons from Ukraine’s International Legion. It outlines recruitment channels, clandestine infiltration methods, and integration challenges such as language...
AI and Critical Thinking
In this episode, Dr. Frank Hoffman discusses the intersection of artificial intelligence and critical thinking within military education and decision‑making. He defines critical thinking as a disciplined, self‑aware process essential for sound command, and warns that pervasive use of generative...
America the Fearful
In early January 2026, U.S. special‑operations forces conducted a raid on Caracas and seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller defended the operation as a demonstration of American strength in a chaotic world. The move marks...
Navigating the Complexities of North Korean Strategy: Insights From David Maxwell
Security analyst David Maxwell discussed North Korea’s hybrid strategy, combining conventional forces with social‑warfare tactics, in a recent podcast. He examined the Pentagon’s new report, highlighting its impact on South Korea’s defense posture and the broader alliance framework. Maxwell warned...
Risky Business #824 -- Microsoft's Secure Future Is Looking a Bit Wobbly
In episode 824 of Risky Business, Patrick Gray and Adam Boileau dissect a wave of cybersecurity headlines, from Microsoft’s unsettling reshuffle of its security leadership and upcoming Secure Boot certificate refresh to aggressive state‑backed campaigns by Russia targeting the Winter...
F-16 Pilot Becomes First Air Guardsman to Win Prestigious Shine Award
Lt. Col. Eric R. Emerson, an Air National Guard F‑16 pilot, became the first Guard member to receive the Anthony C. Shine Award, which honors fighter pilots who embody character, professionalism, and tactical skill. In 2024 he commanded a 24/7...
JBER Debuts a PACAF-First Mission Ready Airman Program
Joint Base Elmendorf‑Richardson launched the Pacific Air Forces’ first Mission Ready Airman program, targeting Security Forces. Thirty‑four noncommissioned officers completed the inaugural course, which blends tactical skills with mission‑focused instruction. A core component was land‑navigation training designed for GPS‑denied scenarios,...
Asia Fumbles With Throttling Back Telnet Traffic in Region
Telnet remains a major security weakness in the Asia‑Pacific, accounting for roughly half of the world’s exposed Telnet endpoints. Global throttling on Jan. 14 cut Telnet sessions by 83 % but Asian providers applied inconsistent filters, leaving the region’s traffic relatively high....
Marines Test Autonomous YFQ-42 Drone with Crewed Jets
YFQ-42 Fighter Drone To Test USMC's Autonomy 'Brain' Alongside Crewed Jets General Atomics' YFQ-42 has been selected the Marines to test how CCAs will think and fight with the MAGTF. Story: https://t.co/MfDHgGHDDf
Navy Names Surface Warfare Officers of the Year
The U.S. Navy honored Lt. Cmdr. Carolyn Bystrom and Lt. Cmdr. Brian Van Metre as the Pacific and Atlantic Fleet Surface Warfare Officers of the Year, respectively. Bystrom earned the Pacific award for her tactics leadership aboard the destroyer USS Spruance, including...
Experts Argue Marine Pullback in Okinawa Should Be Halted as China Threat Rises
Experts warn that the Defense Policy Review Initiative, which aims to move roughly 10,000 U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam, Hawaii, Australia and the continental United States, could erode deterrence as China accelerates its push toward Taiwan. The plan, in...
MV‑22 Gearbox Failure Underscores Persistent Osprey Issues
The latest gearbox issue happened last week in Oahu with an MV-22 from the 1MAW. Not many details on the extent of damage, but the mishap shows that issues continue as the Pentagon touts progress https://t.co/twBLN0m8Hj
The Colombia Case Study: Legitimacy, Naming, and Irregular Warfare
The article uses Colombia’s five‑decade conflict to illustrate how U.S. influence operations evolve through three overlapping phases of irregular warfare: active insurgency, negotiated political transition, and post‑settlement fragmentation. During the insurgency, clear naming of the FARC enabled direct narrative attacks,...
UK Steps up Defence of Arctic and High North From Rising Russian Threats
The United Kingdom will double its troop presence in Norway from 1,000 to 2,000 over the next three years, reinforcing NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission. A major Joint Expeditionary Force exercise, Lion Protector, is slated for September 2026 across Iceland, the...
Cognitive Warfare to Dominate and Redefine Adversary Realities: Implications for U.S. Special Operations Forces
Cognitive warfare expands conflict into the human mind, targeting perception, judgment, and belief formation. The paper argues the United States is unprepared for adversaries leveraging AI‑driven disinformation, deepfakes, and social‑media algorithms. It highlights China and Iran’s use of cognitive contagions...
UK to Lead Multinational Cyber Defence Exercise From Singapore.
Britain will lead the Defence Cyber Marvel 2026 exercise, bringing together more than 2,500 personnel from 29 nations in Singapore. The week‑long drill simulates real‑world cyber attacks, pitting blue and red teams against each other while integrating military, government and...
Maduro’s Capture and International Law: The Noriega Precedent
U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, prompting comparisons to the 1989 U.S. operation that removed Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega. Scheffer’s brief outlines Justice Department memoranda that justify extraterritorial arrests under a self‑defense rationale against narcotics trafficking. The analysis highlights...
SpaceX's Next-Gen Super Heavy Booster Aces Four Days of "Cryoproof" Testing
SpaceX announced that its upgraded Super Heavy V3 booster successfully completed a four‑day cryogenic proof‑test campaign at Texas’ Massey Test Site. The test involved multiple liquid‑nitrogen fills and pressure cycles that mimic the ultra‑cold methane and liquid‑oxygen loads planned for...
Female Sailors Can Now Purchase New Dress Overblouse, Navy Announces
The U.S. Navy announced the second phase of its female uniform modernization, making the optional white, long‑sleeved service‑dress overblouse available at select Navy Exchange locations in Norfolk, Arlington and San Diego, as well as online. The overblouse, part of the...
Cyber Command, NSA Nominee Rudd Advances to Senate Floor
The Senate Intelligence Committee voted 14‑3 to advance Army Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd’s nomination as head of U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency. Rudd, currently deputy chief of U.S. Indo‑Pacific Command, has no prior cyber warfare or intelligence...
L3Harris Pitches Cruise Missiles for SOCOM’s Air Tractor
U.S. Special Operations Command and the Air Force are testing L3Harris’s Red Wolf missile on the OA-1K Skyraider II, a modified Air Tractor crop-duster. Red Wolf can loiter or fly up to 200 nautical miles as a precision cruise missile...
ICE Director Refuses to Commit to Pausing Operations for 2026 World Cup
Acting ICE director Todd Lyons told a House Homeland Security committee that ICE will remain fully operational during the 2026 World Cup, refusing to pledge a pause around match venues. The tournament will draw up to 10 million visitors to 11...
Inside Seoul’s Bid for Canada Submarine Contract
Canada is preparing to replace its aging Victoria‑class submarines, launching its largest defence procurement to date. South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, backed by Hyundai Heavy Industries, is vying against Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems for the contract. Both governments are pitching comprehensive...
China Targets Taiwan Reunification by 2049, Not Surrender
This idea of the CCP pursuing "paralysis" of Taiwan isn't wrong per se, but I don't see in here anywhere the prospect of Taiwan surrendering so it can enjoy the Hong Kong experience. And Xi has made the PRC's goals...
Palladyne AI Receives U.S. Air Force Contract to Advance Swarming Capabilities for Integrated Cross-Domain Operations
Palladyne AI secured a U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory contract, dubbed HANGTIME, to fuse its patented SwarmOS platform across satellite, aerial, maritime and ground systems. The effort targets the longstanding challenge of making autonomous assets operate as a coordinated team...
US Deploys F‑35A Stealth Fighters Amid Stalled Iran Talks
F-35A Stealth Fighters Moving Closer To Middle East As U.S. Military Buildup Continues Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran to stave off war have so far proven inconclusive. Latest update: https://t.co/XTJiEkMBnh
In the Bloody, Urban Combat to Liberate Manila, This Airborne ‘Angel’ Sacrificed All
PFC Manuel Pérez Jr., a 22‑year‑old paratrooper with the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, performed a daring solo assault on a Japanese pillbox during the February 1945 liberation of Manila. His aggressive close‑quarters attack killed 18 enemy combatants and cleared the...
CNAS Podcast | Carney’s Challenge: Can Europe Take the Reins of NATO?
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking at Davos, warned that the international system is experiencing a rupture rather than a gradual transition, urging middle powers to reduce reliance on the United States. He called for diversified partnerships and collective action...
Invitation (2/19/26): Turning OSINT Chaos Into Strategic Clarity | Irregular Warfare Initiative
On February 19, the Irregular Warfare Initiative and CACI DarkBlue will host a half‑day convening in Reston, Virginia titled “Turning OSINT Chaos into Strategic Clarity: Countering Malign Chinese Influence.” The event gathers senior irregular‑warfare practitioners from government, intelligence, and the...
Beer and Wine at Chow Halls of the Future? Commanders Will Decide.
The Army is piloting a campus‑style dining concept at Fort Hood’s 42 Bistro, launching on Feb. 18, with an optional beer and wine service. Senior commanders, including Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan and Fort Hood’s commander, will decide whether alcohol is...
Beyond Blocs
The article argues that the world is moving beyond bloc politics toward issue‑based cooperation, with Europe seeking strategic autonomy while engaging China on a case‑by‑case basis. Recent high‑level visits to Beijing by European and other leaders underscore this shift. Trade...
US General: China Remains Regional Bomber, Not Strategic
China “Just Not There Yet” On H-20 Stealth Bomber: Global Strike Command’s Top General The new head of Air Force Global Strike Command says "China is a regional bomber force at best." Exclusive: https://t.co/DP7iHlPjrI
Pentagon Partners with SEC to Codify Trump Contractor Threats
We break--DoD tells us it will work with SEC: The Pentagon is looking to turn President Donald Trump’s threats on government contractors into enforceable contract provisions and potentially Securities and Exchange Commission regulations https://t.co/KWykJh5z6T
China’s US Treasurys Exit Could Limit Japan’s Military Spending
China is directing state‑owned banks to cut U.S. Treasury holdings to roughly $750 billion by 2025, halving its 2010 peak. The reduction removes a major buyer from the market, shifting the financing burden toward Japan, the world’s largest foreign‑reserve holder. Japan’s...
Is a Dollar Vibe Shift Under Way?
The Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center podcast explores whether a sustained dollar depreciation is emerging. Host Dan McDowell explains how a weaker greenback could reshape U.S. trade balances, investment flows, and national‑security calculations. The discussion highlights potential benefits for exporters alongside higher...
Michigan Facility Designated as DOW National Test Site for Drones
The U.S. Department of Defense has named Michigan’s National All‑Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) a national test site for uncrewed aerial systems. The range offers roughly 200,000 acres of maneuver space and over 17,000 square miles of dedicated airspace, enabling realistic...
Boeing to Modernise USAF C-17A Globemaster III Flight Deck
Boeing has been awarded a contract exceeding $400 million to modernise the flight deck of the USAF C‑17A Globemaster III. The programme will replace legacy avionics with a modular open systems architecture (MOSA), allowing rapid integration of new capabilities. Curtiss‑Wright will supply...
RTX Wins up to $230.56m Deal for F135 Lot 20 Long-Lead Materials
RTX has been awarded a non‑competitive contract worth up to $230.56 million to procure long‑lead‑time materials and components for F135 Lot 20 propulsion systems. The deal supports the production of 138 engines destined for the U.S. Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, as...
Major Overhaul of NATO’s Force Commands
NATO is undergoing a major command reshuffle as the United States transfers leadership of its Joint Force Commands in Naples and Norfolk to European officers—an Italian and a British general, respectively. The U.S. will assume control of Allied Maritime Command...
GE Aerospace, MEPC Sign RSAF F110 Maintenance Contracts
GE Aerospace has signed three agreements with Saudi‑based Middle East Propulsion Company (MEPC) to supply ENSIP kits, and provide repair and overhaul services for the Royal Saudi Air Force’s F110‑129 engine fleet. The deals, announced at the World Defense Show...
Will Donroe Doctrine Really Cut China’s Western Hemisphere Clout?
The Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy introduces the “Donroe Doctrine,” a modernized Monroe Doctrine that seeks to bar non‑hemispheric powers, especially China, from controlling strategic assets in the Western Hemisphere. It pledges to push out foreign infrastructure firms and...
Naval Group, Astrolight to Test POLARIS Laser on Lithuanian Ships
Naval Group and Lithuanian space‑tech firm Astrolight have signed an MoU to trial Astrolight’s POLARIS laser communication terminal on Naval Group’s new offshore patrol vessel for Lithuania. The partnership was announced at the Lithuanian Maritime Defence Industry Days and follows...
A Recent Federal Circuit Case Highlights the Perils of Not Intervening in a Bid Protest and Raises Issues Caused by...
The episode examines the Federal Circuit appeal in Global K9 Protection Group LLC v. United States, highlighting how a contractor (K2 Solutions) lost its award by failing to intervene in a bid protest and by not obtaining a redacted copy...
US Navy and Raytheon Explore Additional Applications for Mk 58 CRAW Torpedo
Raytheon and the U.S. Navy are assessing broader uses for the Mk 58 Compact Rapid Attack Weapon (CRAW), a torpedo originally built for Virginia‑class submarines. The system is transitioning from prototype to an operationally ready weapon, praised for its affordability and...
NASA Chief: Artemis Moon Landing Is Litmus Test for ‘American Exceptionalism’
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman warned that the Artemis III moon landing is a litmus test for American exceptionalism, stressing that a U.S. miss before China’s 2030 landing would raise questions about national competence. The White House pushed the Artemis III...
U.S. Unveils “Parasitic” MMAUV That Hitchhikes Onto Ships & Submarines — Changing Rules Of Naval Warfare
Lockheed Martin has unveiled the Lamprey Multi‑Mission Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (MMAUV), a plug‑and‑play drone that latches onto ships or submarines and recharges via built‑in hydrogenerators. The modular vehicle can arrive at a theater fully charged and launch aerial drones, torpedoes,...
BAE Systems to Supply Allies with US Missile Warning System
BAE Systems secured $137 million in U.S. Army Foreign Military Sales contracts to supply its AN/AAR‑57 Common Missile Warning System to allied customers. The deal expands CMWS coverage to aircraft fleets in over 20 nations, adding to more than 3,000 units...
Sweden Will Build CV90 Prototypes for Its Fleet Renewal
Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration awarded a $37.5 million contract to HB Utveckling AB to build prototypes for updated CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, extending the fleet’s service life to at least 2045. The programme includes the purchase of 50 new CV9035 MkIIIC variants equipped...