RealClearDefense

RealClearDefense

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Aggregates defense/national security news and commentary.

How the Navy Can Navigate the 4th Industrial Rev.
NewsApr 16, 2026

How the Navy Can Navigate the 4th Industrial Rev.

The Navy is confronting the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where digital, physical, and biological technologies converge to reshape warfare. Authors Pat Garrett and Frank Hoffman argue that the service cannot be a passive adopter; it must steer the integration of AI,...

By RealClearDefense
U.S. Army Names New MV-75 Tiltrotor 'Cheyenne II'
NewsApr 16, 2026

U.S. Army Names New MV-75 Tiltrotor 'Cheyenne II'

The U.S. Army officially designated Bell's next‑generation tiltrotor as the MV‑75 “Cheyenne II.” The aircraft is intended to replace aging UH‑60 Black Hawks and supplement the V‑22 Osprey in utility and assault roles. The program targets an initial operating capability by...

By RealClearDefense
Pentagon's Flagship Golden Dome Program Spinning Its Wheels
NewsApr 13, 2026

Pentagon's Flagship Golden Dome Program Spinning Its Wheels

The Pentagon’s Golden Dome program, touted as a flagship modernization effort, has stalled more than a year after its public launch. Internal disagreements over the system’s architecture have created a coordination bottleneck, preventing meaningful progress. The initiative, intended to integrate...

By RealClearDefense
'Bravo Zulu, Charge On': USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. Enters Service
NewsApr 13, 2026

'Bravo Zulu, Charge On': USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. Enters Service

The U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr., a new Arleigh Burke‑class guided‑missile destroyer, on April 13, 2026. Named after Medal of Honor recipient and retired Marine Corps colonel Harvey C. Barnum Jr., the vessel joins the fleet’s existing destroyer force. The ship brings...

By RealClearDefense
Wars Make Or Break Presidencies
NewsApr 11, 2026

Wars Make Or Break Presidencies

President Donald Trump escalated U.S. military action against Iran, first ordering a strike on the country’s nuclear program in June 2025 and then launching air and missile attacks on Iranian political and military targets in March 2026. The campaign aims to degrade...

By RealClearDefense
Marines Begin  Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle Pre-Production
NewsApr 9, 2026

Marines Begin Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle Pre-Production

The U.S. Marine Corps awarded General Dynamics Land Systems a $450 million contract to start pre‑production of the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV). The ARV is intended to replace the aging LAV‑25 fleet and will incorporate hybrid propulsion, autonomous navigation and a...

By RealClearDefense
White House Seeks 5%–7% Military Pay Raise in 2027 Budget Request
NewsApr 6, 2026

White House Seeks 5%–7% Military Pay Raise in 2027 Budget Request

The White House’s 2027 defense budget request proposes a 5%‑7% pay raise for active‑duty service members, surpassing the 3%‑5.2% increases granted in recent years. The boost is positioned as a response to inflation, cost‑of‑living pressures, and ongoing recruitment and retention...

By RealClearDefense
The High Risk Rescue in Iran
NewsApr 6, 2026

The High Risk Rescue in Iran

U.S. special‑operations forces conducted a daring rescue of a downed airman deep inside Iranian territory, navigating rugged mountains and hostile forces. The mission, coordinated with intelligence assets, succeeded in extracting the service member without casualties. Iranian authorities reported heightened alerts...

By RealClearDefense
The Cyber Deterrence Dilemma
NewsApr 4, 2026

The Cyber Deterrence Dilemma

Jorge R. Kravetz’s article examines the growing dilemma of cyber deterrence, highlighting how the lack of clear attribution and proportional response options hampers strategic stability. He draws parallels between cyber operations and intelligence‑focused special operations, arguing that lessons from the...

By RealClearDefense
Drone Incursion at Air Force Nuclear Bomber Base Under Investigation
NewsApr 3, 2026

Drone Incursion at Air Force Nuclear Bomber Base Under Investigation

A swarm of unauthorized drones breached the perimeter of Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, home to the Air Force's nuclear‑armed B‑52H Stratofortress fleet. The incursion is currently under investigation by the Air Force Global Strike Command. No damage to...

By RealClearDefense
America Needs to Understand Golden Dome Before It's Too Late
NewsMar 30, 2026

America Needs to Understand Golden Dome Before It's Too Late

The article warns that the United States must grasp the implications of the "Golden Dome" missile‑defense concept before it becomes a strategic liability. Congressional committees are probing the program’s cost, feasibility, and alignment with national security goals, while defense contractors...

By RealClearDefense
The A-10 Warthog Is the 'Punisher' Iran Can't Seem to Beat
NewsMar 30, 2026

The A-10 Warthog Is the 'Punisher' Iran Can't Seem to Beat

Despite long‑standing plans to retire the A‑10 Thunderbolt II, the U.S. Air Force has recently deployed the aircraft from Air National Guard units to strike Iranian small craft in the Strait of Hormuz. The Warthog’s GAU‑8 Avenger cannon and rugged...

By RealClearDefense
How to Stop Iran's Dangerous New Sejjil Missiles
NewsMar 28, 2026

How to Stop Iran's Dangerous New Sejjil Missiles

The article argues that the United States can blunt Iran’s emerging Sejjil solid‑fuel missile threat by targeting the Jajarm aluminum‑powder plant that supplies the propellant. It notes that Sejjil missiles, capable of striking regional U.S. bases, rely heavily on this...

By RealClearDefense
Twelve U.S. Troops Wounded in Iran Strike on Base in Saudi Arabia
NewsMar 28, 2026

Twelve U.S. Troops Wounded in Iran Strike on Base in Saudi Arabia

Iranian forces launched a missile strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, wounding twelve U.S. troops, including two with serious injuries. The attack marks the latest escalation in the Iran‑U.S. confrontation that has intensified since the April drone...

By RealClearDefense
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