USAFA Board Seeks More Cadets, New Facilities
The U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors recommends a 10 percent increase in the cadet corps to 4,400 and the construction of a new tri‑complex housing an Air, Space, and Cyber Education Center. The plan includes a dedicated Space Force hub, an Unmanned Aerial Systems Center of Excellence, and a multi‑domain operations facility, leveraging existing campus assets instead of creating a separate academy. The board urges inclusion of these investments in the FY2027 defense budget to modernize 1950s‑era infrastructure and sustain officer production for both the Air Force and the expanding Space Force.
2026 Diplomacy: Own the Data Layer Before the AI Layer
The U.S. State Department is prioritizing data infrastructure over artificial‑intelligence hype, releasing an Enterprise Data Strategy before its AI plan. A new secure platform, Data.*State*, will centralize diplomatic data and AI tools, while the department aims to double domestic data...
HII Teams with Path Robotics to Integrate Physical AI Into Manned and Unmanned Shipbuilding
HII and Path Robotics signed an MOU to integrate Path’s physical AI welding system into HII’s shipbuilding operations. The partnership aims to boost HII’s shipyard throughput by an additional 15% in 2026, building on a 14% increase achieved in 2025....
MAG Aerospace Loses OCI Protest in $96M Army Contract
The Government Accountability Office dismissed MAG Aerospace's protest alleging organizational conflicts of interest (OCI) in the Army's $96.5 million NetMod contract, which was awarded to ManTech International. The Army had previously waived OCI rules, rendering the allegations moot, and the GAO...
DND Offering $2M for Prototypes to Counter Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Threats
The Department of National Defence (DND) has launched a $2 million procurement challenge to develop prototypes that protect low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite communications from hostile radio‑frequency interference. The initiative, run through Innovative Solutions Canada, targets adaptive beamforming technologies capable of withstanding single‑tone...
Pentagon Designates LongShot Air-Launched Drone X-68A
The Pentagon’s research arm DARPA has officially designated its LongShot air‑launched unmanned combat aircraft as X‑68A after completing key technical milestones. Built by General Atomics, the X‑68A will be launched from a host platform such as an F‑15 and carry...
ARM Institute Opens Project Call for Military Supply Chain Technology
The Advanced Robotics in Manufacturing (ARM) Institute has issued a member‑only project call to modernize the Department of Defense’s organic industrial base (OIB) supply chain. The call seeks proposals that combine digital operations, AI‑driven robotic process planning, real‑time sensors, in‑situ...
Clarity Innovations Hires Hobbs as Chief Executive
Clarity Innovations announced Brian Hobbs as its new chief executive, tapping a two‑decade veteran of the national‑security market. Hobbs previously led Accenture Federal Services' national‑security portfolio after joining through the Novetta acquisition. The hire follows Capitol Meridian Partners' 2023 purchase...
Space Identified as a Key Sovereign Capability in New Defence Industrial Strategy
Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy (DIA) has elevated space to a sovereign capability, creating a Build‑Partner‑Buy procurement model that puts domestic firms first. The plan earmarks $6.6 B from the 2025 budget and billions more through 2035 for space‑based intelligence, satellite communications,...
Delivering Deterrence: Sentinel Restructure to Complete in 2026; Initial Capability Timeline Set
The U.S. Air Force’s LGM‑35A Sentinel program will complete its restructuring phase and achieve a Milestone B decision by the end of 2026, with an initial operational capability slated for the early 2030s. A newly created Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager consolidates...
WEST 2026: Digital Transformation Teams Are a Core Part of the Marines’ AI Strategy
The Marine Corps has fielded six Digital Transformation Teams (DXTs) and plans two additional deployments to complete coverage across its three Marine Expeditionary Forces. These teams operationalize the service’s 2024 AI strategy by piloting AI solutions, managing risk, and closing...
Operation Hailstone: The US Navy's Devastating 1944 Raid on Truk Lagoon
On 17‑18 February 1944, the U.S. Navy’s Task Force 58 launched Operation Hailstone, a massive carrier‑based strike that virtually annihilated Japan’s Truk anchorage. Over two days American aircraft destroyed roughly 250 enemy planes, sank about 200,000 tons of shipping and ignited the...
Energy Department ‘Center of Excellence’ Delves Into OT Cybersecurity
The U.S. Department of Energy has established a Center of Excellence to tackle operational technology (OT) cybersecurity across its labs and agencies. Sponsored by the Office of Science and the National Nuclear Security Administration, the effort unites cyber experts to...
Warning Shots Off Yemen Underscore Ongoing Gulf of Aden Security Risks
A merchant vessel near Aden, Yemen, encountered armed skiffs that fired warning shots, later identified as a local militia rather than Houthi forces or pirates. The UK Maritime Trade Operations downgraded the event to suspicious activity after confirming no direct...
Zambia’s Copper Industry Expands Amid Rising Global Demand and Investment
Global demand for copper, driven by AI, renewable energy and electric vehicles, is spurring a rapid expansion of Zambia’s mining sector. Since 2022, more than $12 billion has been poured into the industry, lifting 2024 output by roughly eight percent to...
Trump Family Invests In $1.5B Go-Public Merger For Drone Co.
Eric Trump is part of an investor consortium backing a $1.5 billion merger that will combine Florida‑based JFB Construction Holdings with Israeli drone manufacturer Xtend, effectively taking the unmanned‑air‑system firm public. The transaction mirrors a SPAC‑style deal, pairing a real‑estate operator...
Slovakia in Talks with U.S. to Expand F-16 Fleet to 18 Aircraft
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to discuss adding four Block 70 F‑16 fighter jets, expanding Slovakia’s fleet to 18 aircraft. The contract, expected to be signed this year, builds on the €1.58 billion deal for...
Saudi Arabia Air Report: The World’s Fourth-Largest UAV Market Seeks to Strengthen Domestic Industry
Saudi Arabia’s uncrewed aerial vehicle market is estimated at $13.54 billion, making it the world’s fourth‑largest after the United States, India and Germany. Approximately 32 % ($4.36 billion) has already been spent, while the remaining $9.18 billion is tied up in uncontracted programmes, mirroring...
Another Round of Negotiations in the Ukraine-US-Russia Format
On December 17, 2026, a new round of Ukraine‑US‑Russia negotiations opened in Geneva, bringing together senior officials from Kyiv, Washington and Moscow. The talks focus on security, humanitarian concerns and, notably, territorial issues raised by the Kremlin. Ukraine’s delegation, led...
Despite Reset in India–US Relations, New Delhi Retains Commitment to Strategic Hedging
India and the United States announced a trade deal that lowers Indian export tariffs from 25% to 18% and removes the extra 25% levy on Russian crude. In return, New Delhi has pledged to buy $500 billion worth of U.S. goods,...
What 5 Million Apps Revealed About Secrets in JavaScript
Intruder scanned five million JavaScript bundles and uncovered more than 42,000 exposed secrets, including active GitHub, GitLab, and SaaS API tokens. The research revealed 688 repository tokens that granted full access to private code and CI/CD pipelines. Traditional static and...
World Briefs | Putin Ally Warns European Powers over Seizure of Russian Vessels
Russia’s navy chief warned European powers of retaliation if Russian vessels are seized, underscoring heightened maritime tensions amid over 30,000 sanctions. Rosatom announced it has freed Siemens from the Hungarian Paks II nuclear contract and is scouting replacement equipment. Despite U.S....
The Revamp of Ireland’s Defence
Ireland is overhauling its defence forces, committing up to €1.7 billion over five years and aiming for a 11,500‑person cadre by 2028. The plan upgrades the army’s armoured fleet with KNDS SCORPION vehicles, expands the naval service to twelve ships and...
The Politics of Interpretation: Who Governs the Korean DMZ?
The United Nations Command (UNC) and South Korea are locked in a legal dispute over who can approve access to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). While the 1953 Armistice assigns entry authority to the UNC commander, Seoul’s National Assembly is...
No Pause in Ajax Production While Investigations Are Ongoing
General Dynamics Land Systems UK will keep manufacturing the Ajax medium‑weight armoured fighting vehicle despite ongoing investigations into noise and vibration defects reported in November 2025. To date, 185 of the 589‑vehicle order have been delivered, with each unit requiring...
Cyprus–Greece–Israel: Cooperation in the Face of Turkey's Power
The Cyprus‑Greece‑Israel triangle is evolving from ad‑hoc energy cooperation into a multidimensional security bloc, highlighted by a $757.84 million PULS artillery purchase and a €3 billion Achilles Shield air‑defence programme. The 2025 Jerusalem summit produced a joint‑exercise pact and reinforced the informal...
New Keenadu Backdoor Found in Android Firmware, Google Play Apps
Kaspersky has uncovered a sophisticated Android backdoor named Keenadu, embedded in firmware of multiple device brands and distributed through compromised OTA updates, system apps, and even Google Play applications. The malware can infiltrate every installed app, grant attackers unrestricted control,...
API Threats Grow in Scale as AI Expands the Blast Radius
API vulnerabilities accounted for 17% of the 60,000+ flaws disclosed in 2025, and 43% of exploited weaknesses were API‑related, underscoring a growing attack surface. Wallarm’s report highlights a dramatic 270% rise in Model Context Protocol (MCP) flaws between Q2 and...
3D Printed Helicopter Bracket Made From Recycled Titanium Takes Flight
A UK‑based flight test marked the first use of a 3D‑printed structural bracket made from recycled titanium on an A109S helicopter. The bracket, produced by Additive Manufacturing Solutions Ltd using laser powder‑bed fusion, was sourced from titanium recovered from a...
TTTECH to Deliver TSN Solutions for US Army’s HADES ISR Programme
TTTECH North America has been awarded a contract to provide a 10‑Gigabit Time‑Sensitive Networking (TSN) platform for the U.S. Army’s High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) ISR program. The solution complies with the IEEE 802.1DP aerospace profile and integrates switches,...
SmartLoader Attack Uses Trojanized Oura MCP Server to Deploy StealC Infostealer
Researchers have uncovered a new SmartLoader campaign that distributes a trojanized Oura Health Model Context Protocol (MCP) server to install the StealC infostealer. The malicious server is hosted in fabricated GitHub repositories and submitted to the MCP Market registry, exploiting...
Reader Poll: Two-Thirds Oppose US Navy Shipbuilding Strategy
A GlobalData poll of Naval Technology readers shows 67% of over 250 participants reject President Donald Trump’s current US Navy shipbuilding strategy, citing schedule and direction concerns. The poll highlights a split between those favoring traditional platforms and a growing...
Valen Array Advances Multi-Mission Sensing Tech
Northrop Grumman unveiled Valen, a multifunction active electronically scanned array that merges radar, electronic warfare and communications into a single lightweight aperture. The array is digitally designed and 3‑D printed, reducing size, weight, power and production lead times. Valen’s open‑architecture...
SatService to Supply Q V Band Satcom Ground Station for Bundeswehr University
SatService GmbH, a Calian Group subsidiary, secured a contract from Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence to deliver a Q V‑band satellite ground station to the Bundeswehr University in Munich. The solution features a 4‑metre high‑performance antenna and full‑service integration, enabling geostationary‑orbit...
World Defense Show 2026: Large Vehicles and Counter-Drone Systems Take the Limelight
The third World Defense Show (WDS) in Riyadh expanded by nearly 60% since its 2022 debut, drawing 1,486 exhibitors from 89 countries and 513 official delegations. Attendance reached 137,000 visitors, and the event facilitated 60 contracts totaling SAR 33 billion (US$ 8.8 billion). Large‑vehicle...
Guidance: The White Book for Foreign Service Advisors and Defence Attachés
The UK Ministry of Defence’s "White Book"—a directory of Commonwealth defence liaison staff and foreign service attachés—has been moved to a restricted MOD intranet, ending its public availability. Users are now directed to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s London diplomatic...
Two Battalions “Destroyed”? The Truth About NATO’s Exercise
The NATO‑led Hedgehog‑2025 exercise in Estonia involved over 16,000 troops from 12 nations and integrated Ukrainian drone operators using the Delta battlefield‑management system. In a simulated scenario, a ten‑person Ukrainian team “destroyed” 17 armored vehicles and rendered two battalions combat‑ineffective...
Ukraine Denies Reports of Secret Multinational F-16 Squadron
Ukraine’s Air Force publicly refuted a report that a secret multinational F‑16 squadron, comprising Ukrainian, American and Dutch pilots, is operating over its territory. The claim, published by French outlet Intelligence Online, was labeled unsupported and inaccurate. Ukrainian officials highlighted...
Poland Arrests Suspect Linked to Phobos Ransomware Operation
Polish authorities detained a 47‑year‑old man suspected of collaborating with the Phobos ransomware group during a joint operation in the Małopolska region. The arrest, part of Europol‑coordinated Operation Aether, yielded computers and phones loaded with stolen credentials, credit‑card data, and server‑access...
Denmark Establishes MQ-9B Drone Squadron for Arctic Surveillance
Denmark’s Air Force formally created Squadron 729 to operate four MQ‑9B long‑range drones, with deliveries slated to start in 2028. The unit, based at Aalborg Air Base, will focus on surveillance across the Arctic, North Atlantic and Baltic regions. Training and...
SNC Buys Global 6500 Jet to Support HADES Surveillance Fleet
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has purchased a Bombardier Global 6500 jet using private capital to support the U.S. Army’s High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) ISR program. The aircraft is the first non‑prototype platform earmarked for the Army’s future...
3 Threat Groups Started Targeting ICS/OT in 2025: Dragos
Dragos’ 2026 Year in Review OT/ICS report adds three new adversaries—Sylvanite, Azurite and Pyroxene—targeting industrial control systems in 2025. Sylvanite acts as a rapid‑exploitation broker, weaponising n‑day flaws within 48 hours and handing access to the Voltzite group across power, oil,...
Pentagon Expands THAAD Interceptor Production with L3Harris Deal
The Pentagon awarded L3Harris Technologies a nearly $400 million contract to produce solid‑rocket boost motors and Liquid Divert and Attitude Control Systems for the THAAD missile‑defense system. The deal expands interceptor production after heavy operational use, including the 150 launches recorded...
Guidance: Allied Joint Doctrine for Air and Space Operations (AJP-3.3)
Allied Joint Publication AJP‑3.3, the NATO doctrine for air and space operations, was refreshed on 17 February 2026 as Edition C Version 1. The document outlines fundamental principles, the air‑operations planning cycle, and how space capabilities support joint forces. It targets NATO commanders, staff,...
Unit 42: Nearly Two-Thirds of Breaches Now Start with Identity Abuse
Unit 42’s annual incident‑response report reveals identity abuse now initiates roughly two‑thirds of network intrusions, with social engineering responsible for one‑third of the 750 incidents examined. Compromised credentials, brute‑force attacks and permissive identity policies further fuel the trend, while identity‑related...
Citizen Lab Links Cellebrite to the Hacking of a Kenyan Presidential Candidate’s Phone
Citizen Lab’s forensic analysis uncovered Cellebrite’s phone‑cracking software on Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi’s device, indicating that state authorities used the tool after his arrest. The evidence shows the phone was unlocked without a password, exposing personal photos, messages, and his...
Skyeton Upgrades Raybird UAS with Satellite Communications
Skyeton has integrated satellite communications into its Raybird tactical UAV, eliminating data link range constraints and enabling continuous real‑time transmission throughout 28‑plus hour missions. The SATCOM‑enabled Raybird can now operate beyond 2,500 km, supporting deep ISR tasks in contested environments. The...
Ceasefire Would Be only the Beginning. Ukraine’s Energy Problem
A ceasefire would only mark the start of Ukraine’s energy crisis, as the war has left the power grid in ruins. Experts estimate at least three years of scheduled blackouts, with a 6‑hour on/4‑hour off cycle becoming the norm. Damage...
Bangladesh Receives New Batch of Chinese VT-5 Light Tanks
Bangladesh has taken delivery of a new batch of Chinese VT‑5 light tanks, adding to the 44‑vehicle regiment already in service. The VT‑5’s 105 mm gun and modern fire‑control suite give the army a mobile, fire‑support platform suited to the country’s...
Guidance: Defence Maritime Regulations: Regulatory Notices
The Defence Maritime Regulator (DMR) has refreshed its regulatory notice suite, adding a 2026 Regulation Source Record, ATAMS and ISM Code guidance, and updated IMO registration requirements. Recent 2025 amendments address diving safety verification and wreck management, while a 2025...