Raw Intel

Lockheed Martin has secured a $233 million contract to deliver its IRST21 Block II infrared search and track systems, along with initial spares, to the U.S. Navy and Air National Guard. The award supports deployment across multiple fighter platforms and follows the Navy’s recent declaration of Initial Operational Capability for the sensor. The IRST21 Block […] The post Lockheed wins $233M deal for advanced IRST sensors first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas The US Department of Defense has contracted BAE Systems Land & Armaments to produce more Bradley armored fighting vehicles for the army. The $656.2-million award stipulates the vehicles in their M7A4 and M2A4 variants, which have been supporting American land forces since the 1980s. Location and funding for the manufacturing will be determined on each order, according to the Pentagon’s notice, with BAE to continue the project until November 2027. The US Department of Defense has announced the creation of a new office dedicated to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into military systems. Named the Artificial Intelligence Rapid Capabilities Cell (A…

Americas Lockheed Martin has announced the first-ever launch of a Patriot PAC-3 missile segment enhancement (MSE) interceptor using the Virtualized Aegis Weapon System. Conducted in collaboration with various US Department of Defense components, the test saw the advanced missile engage and neutralize a cruise missile target mid-flight. It utilized a ground-based MK-70 containerized launch platform from […]View the full article

Russian defense manufacturer Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) has released new footage of its BMPT Terminator armored fighting vehicle in action. The promotional video, intended to highlight the platform’s firepower, instead reignited controversy after viewers noticed visible vibration in the twin 30mm 2A42 autocannons during firing, prompting questions about accuracy and stabilization. The Terminator, developed to support tanks […]View the full article

Americas Saab Inc. won an $8 million firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract to exercise options for fiscal 2025 MK 9 production efforts. Work is expected to be completed by March 2027. Fiscal 2025 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,097,844 were obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. General Atomics has tested the Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) drone using the Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) satellite network for aircraft communications under a US Army contract. The company has completed two GE-ER …

The U.S. Navy has officially named its next-generation TACAMO aircraft, designating the E-130J as the Phoenix II. The announcement came from the Navy’s Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) and Strategic Communications Wing 1 (SCW-1). TACAMO—short for “Take Charge and Move Out”—is a central element of the nation’s nuclear deterrence posture. Its […] The post U.S. Navy reveals name for future ‘Doomsday plane’ first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas The US Space Force is upgrading its ability to track satellites and space junk with a $90 million contract awarded to L3Harris. This project will make the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System (ATLAS) faster and more accurate. The upgraded system will better monitor satellites and debris in space, helping the Space Force to detect and respond to anything that could harm US satellites. These improvements will also give the Space Force more control over its operations in space. Essentially, L3Harris will provide the Space Force with new tools to keep a closer eye on space, protect our satellites, and stay ahead of any potential threats. Raytheon has secured …

B-52 aircraft from the United States Air Force have arrived at Morón Air Base in Spain as part of Bomber Task Force Europe 26-1, according to information provided by the service. The bombers deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, on November 8, 2025, and will conduct multilateral training missions with Finland, Lithuania and Sweden, […]View the full article

Americas Airbus and Shield AI have signed an agreement to integrate autonomous pilot technology into the MQ-72C Logistics Connector unmanned aerial system. The teaming includes compatibility trials of Shield AI’s flagship artificial intelligence software “Hivemind” with Airbus’ Helionix advanced avionics suite to operate the MQ-72C. The evaluation will focus on levels of autonomy to deploy the aircraft with minimal human intervention, with the tests to include complex unmanned operations in contested logistics settings. The Golden Dome missile-defense vision is turning up the heat on a long-running fight between the Pentagon and the telecommunications industry for control…

Britain’s military is exploring a radical new concept for its naval missile defenses, one where warships and robotic vessels can sit armed and ready to fire for a month at a time with nobody on board to maintain them, and the UK Ministry of Defence is now asking the defense industry to help figure out […]View the full article

The U.S. Army has awarded contracts to AeroVironment and Edge Autonomy to rapidly deliver the first Long-Range Reconnaissance (LRR) unmanned aircraft systems. The systems selected — AeroVironment’s P550 and Edge Autonomy’s Stalker Block 35X — are Group 2 drones designed to provide Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) at the maneuver battalion level. According to […] The post U.S. Army taps AeroVironment, Edge for new recon drones first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A new version of China’s DF-26 ballistic missile system has been spotted during rehearsals for an upcoming military parade in Beijing. The DF-26, officially known as Dong Feng-26 and designated by NATO as CH-SS-18, is an intermediate-range ballistic missile operated by the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force. It is produced by the China Aerospace Science […] The post China develops new version of “Guam Killer” missile first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The US Navy is deploying to the Caribbean? Been there, done that, came back disappointed. We’ve been doing these deployments since before we were even a nation, so pardon me if this didn’t raise too much of an eyebrow. On the 20th, The United States has ordered an amphibious squadron to the southern Caribbean as part of President Donald Trump's effort to address threats from Latin American drug cartels, two sources briefed on the deployment said on Wednesday. The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the USS San Antonio, USS Iowa Jima and USS Fort Lauderdale could arrive off the coast of Venezuela as early as Sunday. The ships are carrying 4,500 service …

Turkey’s top defense and technology officials have confirmed the development of a long-range missile program with a declared range of 2,000 kilometers, signaling a new phase in the country’s ambition to become a regional military power with homegrown capabilities. Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, in a public statement this week, said, “We […] The post Turkey confirms 2,000km missile program first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Army has awarded Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. a $19 million contract for the production of M136 Vehicle Launched Anti-Tank Scatterable ammunition canisters, a key component of the service’s mobile mine-laying capability. The contract, funded through fiscal 2024 Building Partner Capacity accounts, will support production of the widely used Volcano system, with completion expected […] The post Northrop Grumman wins new deal for rapid minefield system first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

China’s state-owned defense conglomerate Norinco has developed a new low-cost suicide drone that mirrors the Iranian Shahed-136 in appearance and purpose, signaling Beijing’s drive to make mass-produced loitering munitions available for future conflicts. The Feilong-300D, revealed earlier at the Zhuhai Air Show, drew fresh international attention following reports that its unit price could be as […]View the full article

Taiwan has taken delivery of its first batch of U.S.-made Altius-600M purpose-built loitering munitions from defense firm Anduril Industries. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, Minister Wellington Koo met on Tuesday with Anduril founder Palmer Luckey in Taipei following the drone handover. The meeting took place amid ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and […] The post Taiwan receives U.S.-made Altius loitering munitions first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas Top Aces has introduced an innovative AI-driven “constructive wingman” designed to enhance adversarial air combat training. Developed in collaboration with EpiSci, Coherent Technical Services Inc. (CTSi), and Seger Aviation LLC, this technology mimics the flight patterns and maneuvers of advanced enemy aircraft for realistic pilot training. The AI-powered wingman is integrated into Top Aces’ F-16 Advanced Aggressor Fighters (AAF) via the Advanced Aggressor Mission System (AAMS). Using a Hands-On Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) interface, pilots can control formations and tactics in real-time, simulating complex Beyond Visual Range (BVR) scenarios. The system also incr…

South Korea has revealed the image of an AAM (Anti-Aircraft Missile) from the L-SAM system for the first time, offering a first public look at one of its newest ground-based air defense capabilities. According to details shared publicly, the L-SAM-I’s main feature is its ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) interceptor, designed for high-altitude defense. The AAM variant […] The post South Korea shows new L-SAM AAM interceptor first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas Canada’s procurement of National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) is showing signs of advancement following earlier setbacks. The $406 million purchase, initially announced in January 2023, is now on track for delivery in early 2025, marking a significant step forward in bolstering Ukraine’s defensive arsenal. Defense Minister Bill Blair recently provided an optimistic update on the situation, highlighting that despite initial delays in fund transfer, the procurement process is now moving ahead steadily. The minister emphasized that the four-month lag between the announcement and the execution of funds did not materially impact the overall timelin…