Raw Intel

Ukrainian defense advisor Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov has published technical details of a little-known Russian interceptor drone known as “Yolka.” According to Beskrestnov, the Yolka interceptor operates only during daylight and cannot be used in rainy conditions. Its effective range is approximately 3 kilometers, with a stated speed of up to 200 km/h. The system is […]View the full article

Americas The US Navy is paying BAE Systems $70 million to improve their Mk 45 ship guns. This includes $47 million they agreed to earlier, plus $23.5 million more just added. The improved guns will be able to fire stronger bullets, making them 50% more powerful. BAE will do this work at their factory in Louisville, Kentucky, and finish by the end of 2028. The US Air Force is testing small, 3D-printed parts called microvanes on their big C-17 cargo planes. These microvanes are thin, blade-like pieces about 4 inches wide and 16 inches long. By putting many of these blades on the plane, they change the plane’s aerdynamic profile. This helps the plane fly more smoothly, using…

Remember my 2017 article about the then “Seven Act Play” that was the effort in Afghanistan? Well, we’re going to visit part of Act-3: Act 3: Buyer’s Remorse – By late 2006, the NATO-sceptics’ critique started to break above the happy-talk. AFG was more serious than NATO and the USA were saying, and most of the alliance members were not up to the challenge, and if they were – their staying power was brittle at best. If you had to draw the line somewhere, it would have been the summer of 2007 when NATO failed to fill the rotary-wing aviation bridging force. At the last minute, a combination of US military and civilian contractors filled the gap. After that goat rope, it …

Indonesia’s defense minister said the country has not finalized any agreement to buy Chinese J-10 fighter jets, tempering earlier expectations that Jakarta was close to a deal. “Not finished — we are window shopping,” Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told Bloomberg News on the sidelines of a regional security conference in Kuala Lumpur when asked Friday […]View the full article

Americas Huntington Ingalls Industries – Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, has received an $81.2 million contract modification from the USNavy. This funding continues previous work to support and maintain several types of Navy ships, including amphibious transport docks (LPD 17), amphibious assault ships (LHD 1 and LHA 6), dock landing ships (LSD 41 and 49), and an amphibious command ship (LCC 19). Most of the work (75%) will take place in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Additional technical support will be provided in Norfolk, Virginia (24%), with very small portions in San Diego, California, and Sasebo, Japan. The project is expected to be completed by May 2026.…

Americas Defense manufacturing firm X-Bow Systems has successfully launched its Bolt rocket in a test that showcased the company’s advancement in solid rocket motor (SRM) propellant technology. The launch gathered essential data for pre- and post-flight analysis, further validating the SRM’s performance. This data is crucial for evaluating the feasibility of large-scale SRM production for both commercial and military use. Defense tech startup Saronic Technologies has unveiled its third autonomous surface vessel (ASV). The 24-foot (7.31-meter) Corsair is the largest ASV launched by the Texas firm, followed by the 4.2-meter Cutlass and the 1.8-meter Spyglass, both unveiled …

Americas HDT Global has confirmed the selection of its Hunter Wolf 6×6 unmanned ground system for trials under the US Army’s Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (S-MET) program. S-MET is an ongoing effort to integrate modern autonomous platforms into service, decreasing risks to warfighters deployed in austere environments. Austal USA has launched the construction of a new submarine module production center in Mobile, Alabama, to further support the US Navy’s submarine programs. The future indoor facility will support the US Navy’s plan to obtain one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class submarines annually, according to the company. It will encompass 369,600 square fe…

Ukrainian forces have introduced a new naval drone designed for operations on the Dnipro River, according to a report from the defense news outlet Militarnyi. The system, named Barracuda, was developed by the special unit “Barracuda,” which operates under the 40th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade, part of the 30th Marine Corps. The report said the […] The post Ukraine’s Marines develop new naval drone for littoral warfare first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has announced the latest test of the Akeron Long-Range missile, developed by MBDA as part of the Future Tactical Air-to-Ground Missile (MAST-F) program. The test was conducted at the DGA’s land systems technical center using a 280-meter rail platform designed to simulate real-world impact conditions. According to a public […] The post France tests next-gen missile for combat helicopters first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Textron Aviation is promoting its AT-6 Wolverine as a purpose-built aircraft to counter long-range one-way attack drones, such as the Iranian-designed Shahed-136, which have been used extensively in Ukraine, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. These drones, launched in large numbers, have challenged the effectiveness and economics of existing air defense systems. Military forces in both Ukraine […] The post Textron pitches AT-6 Wolverine as drone interceptor first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas Airbus Defence and Space has recently concluded a successful two-week flight-test campaign for its A400M Roll-on/Roll-off firefighting prototype kit. The campaign, conducted in south-western and central Spain, showcased the prototype’s ability to drop 20,000 liters of retardant, creating high concentration lines over 400 meters long on the ground. Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air […]View the full article

South Korea is launching a sweeping initiative to ensure that every soldier in uniform learns to operate drones, with the Ministry of National Defense unveiling its “500,000 Drone Warriors” program on September 4. The effort is designed to integrate unmanned systems into all Army units, making drone flight skills a standard part of military training. […] The post South Korea to train every soldier as drone operator first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas Kratos Defense & Security Solutions demonstrated a trolley-based launch system for the XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aerial system recently. A Kratos Trolley Launch System (KTLS)-assisted XQ-58A can take off from runways or traditional roads without reducing its payload or the fuel required for conventional retractable launching gear. Bell Textron has completed the first flight of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s modified CH-146 Griffon multirole utility helicopter as part of a 2022 modernization contract. The Griffon Limited Life Extension (GLLE) project is a continuing effort to deliver upgrades for the aircraft, which has been in service since the early 1990s. Th…

It’s time to catch up on the latest issues on the maritime and national security front and get out of the summer heat. Midrats goes LIVE today at 5pm Eastern in our free-for-all format. Hop in the show chat room and offer your topics and question…or observations of the topics we’ll discuss. You can join live at this link, but if you are reading this after the show, just check this Substack post later Sunday when I’ll update this page with the podcast. COME JOIN US! Leave a comment Share This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. View the full article

Americas Boeing won a $2 billion modification for E-7A Rapid Prototyping. The modification is for the definitization of the UCA. Work will be performed in Tukwila, Washington, and is expected to be completed by August 28, 2029. There are no funds being obligated at the time of award. Hanscom Air Force Base, Bedford, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. The deal represents a significant milestone for both parties, who have been working to finalize terms since an initial agreement was signed in 2023. The path to contract finalization was fraught with challenges. The Air Force initially faced difficulties in aligning its requirements with those of the United Kingdom, …

A T-90MS main battle tank that once stood on display at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) in the United Arab Emirates has now been deployed to the battlefield in Ukraine, according to a statement from the manufacturer. The tank, originally painted in desert camouflage for its appearance at IDEX 2025, was returned to Russia, repainted […] The post Russia sends exhibition T-90MS tank to frontline first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas Rockwell Collins, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been awarded a $13.7 million contract to help maintain and improve the communication systems on KC-135 aircraft. The project includes adding a second radio to the planes for better communication. The work will take place in Cedar Rapids and at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, and is expected to be finished by March 22, 2027. The Air Force is providing $7.35 million from its 2023 research and development budget to start the project. The contract is managed by the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center’s Legacy Tanker Branch at Tinker Air Force Base. The US Navy’s USS Toledo (SSN 769) has returned to service after…

Americas The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report that reviewed operation and maintenance (O&M) funding and readiness for fighter aircraft. The report found that while O&M funding execution from fiscal years 2018 to 2023 was generally consistent with requests, tactical aircraft mission capable rates have generally not met service goals. The report attributes this to several factors, including ageing aircraft, maintenance challenges, and issues with supply support. The report highlights the F-35 programme as an example where significant investment has not translated to mission readiness. Despite increased O&M funding for the F-35A between f…

Serbia has presented a new family of 4×4 armored vehicles, known as “Alexander the Unifier,” during the “Strength of Unity” military parade held on the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and National Flag. The event marked the premiere of the multi-role platforms, displayed in both tactical armored vehicle and loitering munition carrier configurations. According to […] The post Serbia debuts new multi-role armored vehicle first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Show LinksGaza COA Decision Brief, 11 October, 2023 We're Burning Another Amphib: this time the USS New Orleans (LPD 18) The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century, by Kenneth F. McKenzie Longstreet: The Confederate General Who Defied the South Hardcover, by Elizabeth Varon (Author) SummaryIn this episode, Sal discusses various pressing top… Read more View the full article