Raw Intel

Ukrainian forces have successfully intercepted and destroyed a Russian Orion unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near the Russian border using a drone-based interceptor system, according to a report from Militarnyi. The Russian combat-reconnaissance drone was brought down by the “Topot” team from the 414th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Systems. In a statement, Militarnyi noted that this […] The post Ukrainian drone takes down Russian Orion first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A new fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy has departed from Qingdao, a military port in eastern Shandong Province, to assume escort duties in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, according to Chinese state media. The deployment, announced by Xinhua on October 11, is the 48th such rotation since China launched […] The post China sends warships to Gulf of Aden first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Discussions between the United States and Egypt over a potential sale of F-15 fighter jets have entered a renewed phase, but no agreement has been finalized, according to a report describing the status of ongoing negotiations. The talks, which regained attention in November 2025, follow months of delays and uncertainty about whether the deal will […]View the full article

The United States Navy has awarded Saronic a $392 million production contract to rapidly deliver drone boats under the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) framework. Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan said nearly $200 million of that total has already been obligated, as the service pushes forward with a new model of fast-paced, open-competition procurement […]View the full article

The U.S. State Department has approved Denmark’s request to purchase AGM-114R Hellfire missiles and related equipment in a potential foreign military sale valued at $45 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said on Thursday. According to the agency, Denmark requested up to 100 AGM-114R missiles, along with three Captive Air Test Missiles, six M299 launchers, […]View the full article

Taiwan’s Republic of China Air Force has confirmed plans to procure 10 C-130J transport aircraft from the United States, canceling a previously planned upgrade program for its aging C-130H fleet. According to local media, the decision reflects a cost-based reassessment of how best to sustain and modernize its airlift capability as existing C-130H aircraft exceed […]View the full article

The United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has launched a new program aimed at accelerating the production of heat-resistant structures used in hypersonic weapons. The initiative, called Carbon Crunch, focuses on developing faster manufacturing methods for carbon-carbon aeroshells that protect hypersonic vehicles during flight. The effort is intended to address a major production challenge […]View the full article

The United States Marine Corps has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems and Textron Systems Corporation a second rapid prototyping contract for the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV), pushing forward one of its most important modernization programs to replace the aging Light Armored Vehicle fleet. Under the new award, both companies will move into a second prototyping […]View the full article

Ukraine’s military intelligence directorate has published a detailed technical breakdown of a previously obscure Russian cruise missile developed specifically for the Su-57 stealth fighter, revealing not only the weapon’s architecture and capabilities but the extensive network of foreign components — American, Chinese, Swiss, Japanese, German, Taiwanese, and Irish — that made it possible to build. […]View the full article

A South Korean-developed remote-controlled weapon station capable of networking three or more units into a single coordinated fire system represents a significant step forward for the country’s homegrown defense industry, according to KFN Plus. The system, known as an RCWS, is a remotely operated weapon turret mounted on light tactical vehicles and wheeled armored personnel […]View the full article

Remember, we must revisit the failures of the past in order that they shall not be repeated. Well, that’s the theory. Of all the disastrous series of failures this century to build a surface combatant, none were as unnecessary and avoidable as the failure of the Constellation Class FFG. Over six years ago, we found out that we were going to build a U.S. version of the Franco-Italian FREMM in a push to finally get a proper frigate into the fleet. I was ecstatic…but wary. Throughout the process, we had indications and warnings that the same institutional circus and its convoy of clown cars, which begat LCS, CG(X), and DDG-1000, had a hand on the wheel of what was then FFG(X…

The U.S. Navy awarded Norwegian defense manufacturer Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace a contract modification worth roughly $50.3 million on July 2 to buy more launcher missile modules for what the Pentagon calls its “over-the-horizon weapons system,” the hardware behind a Marine Corps program that lets troops sink enemy warships from land without ever putting a […]View the full article

Out of 61 Russian cruise missiles fired at Ukraine in a single wave, Ukrainian air defenses shot down 54, and F-16 fighter jets alone accounted for 38 of those kills, Militarnyi reported, citing a statement from Yevhenii Karzhau, deputy commander of Ukraine’s Air Force. The figures place the American-made jets at the center of one […]View the full article

Germany will supply Ukraine with several thousand more IRIS-T guided missiles, funded through the European Union’s 90 billion euro ($105 billion) loan package for Kyiv, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said September 8. Pistorius made the announcement ahead of a video conference of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the Ramstein-format meeting of Kyiv’s international backers, […]View the full article

B-52H: flyin’ low, dyin’ slow… (click to view full) Officially, it’s the B-52H Stratofortress. Unofficially, it’s the BUFF (Big Ugly Fat F–cker). Either way, this subsonic heavy bomber remains the mainstay of the U.S. strategic fleet after more than 50 years of service. A total of 102 B-52H bombers were delivered from FY 1961-1963, and 94 were still on the books as of May 2009, flying mostly from Barksdale AFB, LA and Minot AFB, ND. Of these, 18 are slated for retirement, leaving a planned fleet of 76. By the time that fleet retires in the 2030s, many will be around 70 years old. The B-52H can’t be flown against heavy enemy air defenses, but a steady array of upgrades…

It is 1944 near Cagny in northern France. You are leading a section of two 33-ton M4 Sherman tanks when, all of a sudden, you find yourself facing a Panther, a Tiger I, an old Mark IV — and one70-ton King Tiger. What does an army lieutenant do? Become a naval officer. From the excellent War History Online; Gorman found himself at the top of a ridge, looking down at a field in which the German tanks were gathered. Only 900 feet (274 meters) of open ground stood between him and the feared Königstiger. He knew that if he didn’t act immediately, his two Sherman tanks would likely be taken out. This was when he decided to put a naval tactic to good use. By then, the Germ…

A beloved retired coach passed last month; ...Greenup County resident Ernie West, has died. ... West was a football coach at Wurtland (KY) for some time From the, "you never know what that old man has seen" school .... Attention to citation: Pfc. West distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. He voluntarily accompanied a contingent to locate and destroy a reported enemy outpost. Nearing the objective, the patrol was ambushed and suffered numerous casualties. Observing his wounded leader lying in an exposed position, Pfc. West ordered the troops to withdraw, then braved intense fire to reach …

Americas Boeing won a $49.7 million deal for the inspection and overhaul of the CH-47 Chinook mechanical transmission. The CH-47D Chinook helicopter transports troops, artillery, supplies and equipment to the battlefield with other applications ranging from medical evacuation, aircraft recovery, parachute drop, search and rescue to disaster relief, firefighting and heavy construction. Work is estimated to be completed by August 23, 2025. The US Army, together with the Israeli Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) announced the successful first life fire of its Iron Dome air defense system engaging eight cruise missile targets. Soldiers from the Army’s 3-43 Air Defense Arti…

As with all conflicts, just a few days in to the Second Russo-Ukraine War you have stories that start to break out in to the public. Some seem like rumor, urban legends, propaganda, or just embellishments of real stories or hopeful desires. Two have come up over the last few days. One that seems closer to the urban legend and hopeful desires area is the heroic fighter pilot, "The Ghost of Kyiv," putting up an amazing fight against all odds in his plucky MiG-29. The second seems to be from the same area but with time we have found is actually a true story. 13 Ukrainian border guards were stationed in an isolated, barren and what would appear to be generally ignorable islan…

Americas Northrop Grumman Systems won a $458 million deal for fiscal 2022-2026 shipyard field operations, program management, systems engineering, documentation, logistics and hardware production activities in support of the Columbia and Dreadnought Fleet Ballistic Missile Program. The contract action contains option line items. Work will take in California, Washington, Florida, Maryland, Georgia and the UK. Work will take place in November 30, 2027. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems won a $62 million deal for fiscal 2022 AEGIS modernization, DDG new construction, and Frigate new construction production requirements. Work will take in New Jersey and Florida. Est…