US Navy Accepts Delivery of Sixth Berthing Barge
The U.S. Navy has taken delivery of the sixth APL‑72 class berthing and messing barge from Bollinger Shipyards after completing acceptance trials. The 82‑meter vessel can accommodate over 600 sailors and provide meals for more than 1,100 personnel daily, expanding afloat lodging capability. The contract, awarded in 2023, follows earlier APLs built by VT Halter Marine, now part of Bollinger. A seventh barge has already been ordered for 2024, signaling continued demand.
Embraer and Mahindra Eye India MRO Hub if C-390 Wins IAF Contract
Embraer and India’s Mahindra Group announced a joint plan to establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the C‑390 Millennium, contingent on the aircraft winning the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) contract. The two firms have...
UK to Sell Two Wave-Class Fast Fleet Tankers to Private Company
The UK Ministry of Defence has agreed to sell two former Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave‑class fast fleet tankers, Wave Knight and Wave Ruler, to Inocea Group. Built in 2003, the 31,500‑tonne vessels provide fuel, supplies and aviation support, and will...
Hypersonica Completes Milestone Hypersonic Missile Flight Test in Norway
Hypersonica completed its first hypersonic missile flight test at Andoya Space in Norway, propelling the prototype above Mach 6 and covering more than 300 kilometers. All systems performed nominally, delivering sub‑component data at hypersonic speeds. The company achieved this milestone in just...
Germany Is Considering Purchasing More US F-35 Fighters.
Germany is weighing an order for more than 35 additional U.S.-made F‑35 fighter jets, expanding the 35 aircraft already purchased in 2022. The move would deepen Berlin’s reliance on American technology as the joint Franco‑German Future Combat Air System (FCAS)...
Turkey Targets Italian Market with Strategic Partnership on USVs and Hybrid Platforms
Turkey’s defence firms Havelsan and VN Maritime have signed a strategic MoU with Italy’s Piloda Defence to develop uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and hybrid naval platforms. The partnership targets a first procurement contract in Italy by the first half of...
Stephen Chapman Praises UK Passport System, Calls for International Standards to Support National Systems
Stephen Chapman, a veteran UK passport official, lauded the country's end‑to‑end passport issuance system for its efficiency, security, and alignment with ICAO standards. He warned that rising fraud and border‑security threats are driving the adoption of advanced features such as...
Ukraine’s Strategic Need for Energy Storage
Ukraine’s government is positioning battery energy storage systems (BESS) as a strategic asset to keep the power grid alive amid Russian attacks and to enable future integration with the European grid. Lawmakers have introduced tax breaks, licensing exemptions and accelerated...
L3Harris to Provide Communications Systems for Virginia and Columbia-Class Subs
L3Harris Technologies secured its largest full‑rate production contract to supply communications systems for 26 shipsets destined for the U.S. Navy’s Virginia‑class fast‑attack and upcoming Columbia‑class ballistic‑missile submarines. The award, granted by General Dynamics Electric Boat, spans production through 2033 and...
Fly at Your Own Peril: The “Zombie” App Leading UK Pilots Into a National Security Trap
Altitude Angel’s Drone Assist, once the UK’s go‑to flight‑planning app, has become effectively abandoned after the company entered administration in late 2025 and its assets were sold to Spain’s Indra Group. The app’s maps no longer reflect the Ministry of...
The Geopolitics of AGI
RAND’s Geopolitics of AGI initiative released a webinar on February 19, 2026, examining how advanced artificial intelligence, including potential artificial general intelligence, could reshape global politics and security. Speakers Jim Mitre and Joel Predd outlined the strategic implications of an...
Swarm Aero Opens Large Drone Production Hub in Arkansas
Swarm Aero inaugurated an 80,000‑square‑foot Advanced Manufacturing Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, dedicated to large‑UAV production. The facility is designed to mass‑produce the Group 5 swarming UAV, which the company claims will cost less than the MQ‑9 Reaper while delivering comparable capability....
Boeing Moves Its Defense HQ Back to St. Louis
Boeing announced it will move the headquarters of its Defense, Space & Security division from Arlington, Virginia back to St. Louis, Missouri, ending a nine‑year stint on the East Coast. The relocation positions senior leaders alongside roughly 18,000 employees at...
Europe’s Next War
The war in Ukraine has dominated transatlantic policy for four years, prompting massive U.S. and European aid to Kyiv and severe sanctions on Moscow. Even if a cease‑fire is reached, the article warns that Russia will continue rearming while Europe...
US Army Plans Q2 Prototype Proposal Request for Its Mobile Tactical Cannon Programme
The U.S. Army’s Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) program seeks a 155 mm wheeled, self‑propelled artillery system to replace the towed M777 howitzer across Stryker, Mobile and Infantry Brigade Combat Teams. A Request for Prototype Proposals will be issued in Q2 FY 2026,...
ARK Invest Europe's Rahul Bhushan: Defence Edges Into Core Portfolio Allocation Status
ARK Invest Europe’s Rahul Bhushan announced that the defence sector has been elevated to a core‑allocation status within the firm’s European thematic funds. The upgrade follows a surge in investor interest, with total European thematic ETF net inflows reaching $15.8 bn...
Velo3D Receives $11.5M Defense Production Agreement for National Security Program
U.S. metal‑3D printer maker Velo3D has landed an $11.5 million multi‑year full‑rate production agreement with an undisclosed defense contractor for a sensitive national‑security program. The deal leverages Velo3D’s Rapid Production Solution, which couples large‑format laser powder‑bed fusion hardware with proprietary software...
More Than 40% of South Africans Were Scammed in 2025
South Africa experienced a staggering 77% scam victimization rate in the 12 months to early 2025, with 42% of adults losing money, averaging $130 per incident. GASA estimates scammers extracted roughly $2.3 billion from over 17.5 million South Africans, equating to about...
Aero Systems West Supports Parasafe Integration for High-Altitude UAVs
Aero Systems West (ASW) has supplied its Parasafe ballistic parachute recovery system to Rainmaker for integration into the company’s high‑altitude unmanned aircraft that operate between 10,000 and 15,000 feet. The parachute system is now part of Rainmaker’s FAA‑approved aircraft architecture,...
The Digital Backbone of MoD’s Technology Foundations
The UK Ministry of Defence has solidified its Digital Backbone and Technology Reference Model (TRM) over the past year, launching the digital.mod.uk portal to centralise standards and guidance. By aligning the TRM with the Defence Capability Hierarchy, the MoD is...
Massive Bamboo Eagle Exercise Returns, with Focus on C2 ‘Nervous System’
The Air Force launched the largest Bamboo Eagle exercise to date, fielding roughly 10,000 personnel—including U.S., U.K., and Australian forces—and about 150 aircraft such as the F‑22, F‑35, C‑130J and MQ‑9. The eight‑day event spans 15 global locations and blends...
Control, Alt, Influence: The Potential for US Cyber Operations in Iran
U.S. policymakers are weighing offensive cyber operations against Iran if diplomatic talks on the nuclear program collapse, positioning cyber as a central element of joint military action rather than a peripheral tool. Recent Senate testimony and statements from US Cyber...
Geopolitical Analysis: U.S. Space Strategy in Africa Facing Chinese Competition
The Atlantic Council’s 2026 strategic analysis warns that the United States must overhaul its commercial partnership model with African nations to counter China’s accelerating foothold in the continent’s space economy. China’s 2025 handover of a telemetry, tracking and command station...
Amid Immigration Agent Hiring Surge, Watchdog Flags Shortages on the U.S.-Canada Border
The Government Accountability Office flagged a critical staffing shortfall for Law Enforcement Information Systems Specialists who monitor surveillance along the 4,000‑mile U.S.-Canada border. Only 77% of those positions were filled at the end of fiscal 2024, down from 84% in...
Oklahoma Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Say Ransomware Disrupted Tribal Systems
The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma were hit by a ransomware attack that forced the shutdown of their computer networks, halting email, phone services and some tribal operations. Tribal Governor Reggie Wassana confirmed the disruption while recovery efforts began....
FAA Launches Competition to Modernize Aging IT Portfolio
The Federal Aviation Administration announced a challenge‑based acquisition to modernize its sprawling, aging IT portfolio of roughly 200 applications and 3,000 databases. Vendors must demonstrate cloud‑native migration strategies, AI‑driven code analysis, and security automation across a four‑phase competition ending with...
The D Brief: Sentinel’s Progress; Buildup Near Iran; Canada’s Decoupling Plan; Russia Targets Ukrainian Energy; And a Bit More.
The Air Force announced that the Sentinel ICBM program will enter engineering and manufacturing development this year, targeting an initial deployment in early 2030 after a recent schedule acceleration. Meanwhile, the Pentagon opened a competition for voice‑controlled drone swarms, drawing...
The Risks of Trump’s Peace Plan: Two Gazas and an Annexed West Bank
President Trump’s new Gaza peace framework, backed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, places Gaza under a U.S.-led Board of Peace, a Gaza Executive Board and a technocratic National Committee with scant Palestinian participation. The plan also severs Gaza’s ties...
Continuous Composites Awarded $1.25 Million to Advance Joining Methods with CF3D
Continuous Composites secured a $1.25 million AFWERX Manufacturing Challenge contract to advance CF3D joining and stiffening techniques for aerospace structures. CF3D merges precise fiber steering, rapid UV curing, and computational design into a digitally driven, scalable production process. The 15‑month project...
Could Asia and the Middle East Offer Growth Opportunities for Italy’s Fincantieri?
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri commands roughly $24.98 billion of the global naval‑defence market, backed by 43 units spread across six countries. Its export push has centered on the U212 NFS submarine and the FREMM‑class frigate, both of which have attracted interest in Poland...
Why Insider Threats May Make Satellite Hacking Significantly Easier
The article argues that insider threats could dramatically lower the barriers to satellite hacking, as insiders can bypass air‑gap protections and exploit the growing use of off‑the‑shelf Linux hardware. It highlights how complex supply chains, contractor relationships, and recent geopolitical...
AIAA Identifies Top Technologies Transforming Aerospace
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) released a new report identifying ten technologies that will reshape aerospace by 2045, based on a survey of over 700 experts and interviews with senior leaders. The list includes AI‑aided design, alternative...
U.S. Firms Test Venom Autonomous Strike Aircraft
Divergent Technologies and Mach Industries unveiled Venom, an autonomous strike aircraft prototype that reached flight readiness in just 71 days. The rapid development leveraged Mach's modular open‑systems architecture and Divergent's Adaptive Production System, which uses additive manufacturing to produce monolithic...
Walter Pritzkow OCMC Becomes Key Lightweight Enabler for Jetoptera Drone
Jetoptera is partnering with Walter E.C. Pritzkow Spezialkeramik (WPS) to integrate lightweight oxide ceramic matrix composite (OCMC) thrusters into its DARPA LIFT Challenge aircraft. The OCMC thrusters deliver 90 pound‑force of thrust while keeping the propulsion system light enough to meet...
Poland Bans Chinese-Made Cars From Entering Military Sites
Poland’s senior army commanders have issued a directive barring Chinese‑manufactured cars from entering protected military facilities. The move targets vehicles whose sensors, software or connectivity modules could transmit location and other sensitive data. It aligns Poland with recent U.S. and...
Notice: Countering Illegal Use of UAS Around Prisons and Sensitive Sites
The UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) competition, backed by the Ministry of Justice, MOD and other security agencies, seeks low‑collateral technologies to neutralise hostile drones near prisons, critical infrastructure and other sensitive sites. Up to £1.85 million in funding will support two...
Defence Giant BAE Hails Record Sales as Workers Remain on Strike
BAE Systems announced record 2025 results, with sales rising 10% to £30.7 billion and pre‑tax profit climbing to £2.6 billion. The company highlighted a historic order backlog as global defence budgets surge amid geopolitical tension. Meanwhile, Unite union members at the Lancashire...
Two Americas on Display in Munich
The Munich Security Conference, long‑standing forum for transatlantic dialogue, revealed stark contrasts between U.S. policy strands this year. While European officials pressed for a unified stance against Russian aggression, American participants displayed divergent messages reflecting domestic political divides. The conference...
Why GPS III, and What Comes After It, Still Falls Short in Modern War
The United States is completing its GPS III constellation, the most extensive PNT upgrade in a decade, delivering higher accuracy, stronger signals and improved anti‑jam features. Analysts argue that while GPS III and the upcoming GPS IIIF add incremental resilience, they do not...
Leonardo DRS Joins SHIELD Missile Defense Program
Leonardo DRS announced it has secured multiple awards under the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD IDIQ contract, which carries a shared ceiling of $151 billion. The contracts position the company to compete for future task orders aimed at accelerating the development and...
Anchors Away: The Perils of Our Shipbuilding Imbalance
The article warns that the United States Navy faces a growing shipbuilding imbalance, with production capacity falling short of strategic demand. Historical lessons from World War II and Mahanian doctrine underscore the risk of a weakened fleet. Current procurement pipelines are...
Army Leaders Say Future European Fight Could Mean 1,500 Targets Daily
U.S. Army leaders warn that a future large‑scale conflict in Europe could involve engaging roughly 1,500 targets in a single day. The figure reflects the anticipated intensity of combined‑arms operations against a near‑peer adversary. To meet this demand, the Army...
Apache Helicopters Downed Drones With 30mm Proximity Ammo
The U.S. Army’s AH‑64 Apache attack helicopter successfully employed 30 mm proximity‑fuzed ammunition to engage and destroy unmanned aerial vehicles during a December training exercise at Yuma Proving Ground. This marks the first documented air‑to‑air kill by an Apache using purpose‑built...
U.S. Contract Sends Revolutionary Naval Drones to Japan
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Liquid Robotics a $25 million sole‑source contract to deliver 20 unmanned surface vehicles to Japan under a Foreign Military Sales program. The award covers control software, mission‑specific payloads, and launch‑recovery equipment, with work slated for...
BAE Systems Completes Successful Trials of ATLAS UGV
BAE Systems announced that its Autonomous Tactical Light Armour System (ATLAS) uncrewed ground vehicle has successfully completed a series of trials covering remote teleoperation, waypoint navigation and full sense‑and‑avoid autonomy. The eight‑wheel, 10‑tonne prototype demonstrated integration of the VANTAGE medium‑calibre...
C3BM Launches Software Developer Student Pipeline
The Department of the Air Force’s Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management (C3BM) has launched the first iteration of a software developer student pipeline. The program targets Airmen from Kessel Run, the Operational Response Team, and the Conjure branch of...
Vantor Partners with Google AI to Automate Intelligence Reports for Government Agencies
Vantor, a commercial Earth‑observation satellite operator, announced a partnership with Google to run Google Earth AI models inside classified, air‑gapped government networks. The AI will automatically generate text‑based intelligence reports from Vantor’s own, third‑party, or sovereign imagery, cutting analysis time...
U.S. Army Signs $73.5M Deal for Merkava Propulsion Systems
The U.S. Army awarded Rolls‑Royce Solutions America a $73.5 million Foreign Military Sales contract to deliver Merkava tank power‑pack kits and engineering services for Israel, part of a larger $462.9 million sustainment agreement. The work, slated for completion by December 2032, will be...
China Gives Lithuania Punishing Silent Treatment over Taiwan
In 2021 Lithuania permitted a Taiwanese representative office to use the name "Taiwan" rather than "Taipei," directly challenging Beijing's One‑China policy. China answered not with public sanctions but with a silent diplomatic freeze, withdrawing embassy staff and removing Lithuania from...
Washington National Guard Strengthens Readiness Ahead of World Cup 2026
Washington’s National Guard is boosting its counter‑drone readiness ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, holding a Field‑Ready Range Day at Joint Base Lewis‑McChord that united military, law‑enforcement, and interagency partners. The exercise focused on detecting, tracking, and neutralizing hostile...