Raw Intel

Russian military-linked Telegram channels have released the first images of what they claim is a new jet-powered glide bomb, marking a rare visual confirmation of a weapon type previously reported in battlefield use but never seen publicly. The release comes amid growing concerns in Ukraine over stand-off munitions targeting critical infrastructure and rear-area positions. For […] The post Russia shows new jet-powered glide bomb first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas After years of testing and refinement, the US Air Force’s microvane program is nearing full implementation across it’s C-17 fleet. These small, strategically placed devices are set to reduce aerodynamic drag and increase fuel efficiency by redirecting airflow around the aircraft’s fuselage, proving that even the most mature aircraft designs can be enhanced. Air Force Operational Energy and Air Mobility Command are now in the final stages of evaluating the microvane technology. The microvanes themselves are deceptively simple: small, 3D-printed devices, measuring approximately 4 x 16 inches, and shaped like a thin blade. These are attached to the rear of the C-17’…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Iranian-designed Shahed drones now pose a more persistent and unpredictable threat than ballistic missiles, forcing the Armed Forces to use a wide range of countermeasures under increasingly difficult operational conditions. “Shaheds have now become more dangerous in some cases than ballistic missiles,” Zelenskyy said during a press briefing, according to […]View the full article

China has displayed a new long-range hypersonic cruise missile for the first time, unveiling the Changjian-1000, or CJ-1000, during a major military parade in Beijing. The weapon represents a new class of precision-strike capability for the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, designed to penetrate advanced air defense systems. The CJ-1000 is a successor to the […] The post China unveils new hypersonic cruise missile first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russian sources have released footage showing the operational use of a new interceptor drone known as Lys-2 (Fox-2), a fixed-wing unmanned system designed to engage aerial targets. The footage, circulated on March 24, highlights the drone’s use as a counter-UAS platform with an autonomous target acquisition feature during the final phase of flight. According to […]View the full article

Americas Armtec Countermeasures Co. won an $11.7 million deal for RR-196 countermeasure chaff for the F-22. This contract provides for the impulse cartridge program and is used by F-22 aircraft for combat and training purposes. Work will be performed in Lillington, North Carolina, and is expected to be completed by September 30, 2027. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems won a $500 million deal for program management support related to Medium Altitude Long Endurance Tactical MQ-9 and MQ-1C Special Operations Forces-peculiar modifications in support of US Special Operations …

The Czech Republic will deploy a special operations helicopter unit to Poland to help counter the growing threat of Russian drone incursions near NATO’s eastern flank. The decision follows a direct request from Poland after a phone call between Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová and her Polish counterpart, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. According to a statement released […] The post Czech Forces to aid Poland in drone defense operations first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

AM General has introduced the next-generation version of its Hawkeye 105mm Mobile Howitzer System at AUSA 2025, showcasing a newly redesigned artillery platform that reflects direct combat lessons from Ukraine and advances in lightweight fire support mobility. The updated Hawkeye system integrates a restyled tactical truck chassis with a new powertrain and improved architecture, offering […] The post Combat-tested Hawkeye gets new look at AUSA 2025 first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Lithuania’s government is preparing to allocate €461 million ($540 million) for an advance payment on its planned acquisition of German-made Leopard 2 main battle tanks, according to a draft proposal registered by the Finance Ministry on Monday. The funds will be borrowed by the state to finance the first stage of the program. Minister of […] The post Lithuania sets $540M advance for Leopard 2 tank purchase first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) deployed robotic quadruped drones during a January 2026 airborne assault exercise conducted by the 1st Airborne Brigade, marking the first time the unit integrated unmanned ground vehicles into its annual new-year descent training. According to the training footage broadcast in Japan, the exercise featured an assault element inserting from two […]View the full article

BAE Systems’ Norfolk Ship Repair facility in Virginia has been awarded a $117.7 million contract modification to carry out maintenance, modernization, and repair work on the guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), according to a contract announcement. According to a release, the modification was issued under a previously awarded contract and provides funding for […]View the full article

United States Marines from the 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, are operating Rheinmetall’s Mission Master Silent Partner autonomous ground vehicles during field operations at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, the service confirmed. The uncrewed systems, supplied by American Rheinmetall, are being integrated into training scenarios to support a range of logistics and casualty evacuation tasks, […]View the full article

A growing scandal has erupted in Russia surrounding Kremlin television host and chief propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, after accusations surfaced that his foundation misused millions of rubles collected under the pretext of helping Russian troops. According to pro-war blogger Pozdnyakov, Solovyov’s SVR personal foundation collected over 100 million rubles ($1.2 million) from Russian citizens, supposedly to […] The post Russian Army gets $1.2M DIY carts instead of combat buggies first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Royal Thai Air Force carried out air strikes against two Cambodian military targets on Thursday, after a surprise assault earlier in the day. According to Royal Thai Army deputy spokesperson Col. Ritcha Suksuwanon, six F-16 fighter jets were launched from Ubon Ratchathani province and struck ground targets inside Cambodia. “We have used air power […] The post Thai F-16 jets hit Cambodian targets after border attack first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) confirmed on January 20, 2026, that it has taken delivery of a newly developed small unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) designed for underwater defense missions. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Defense’s JMSDF public affairs office, which stated that the domestically developed UUV has now been formally inducted into […]View the full article

Kraken Technology Group has secured an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement from U.S. Special Operations Command to design and prototype advanced uncrewed maritime platforms. On November 21, 2025, Kraken Technology Group announced that it has been awarded an OTA agreement by United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The agreement supports the rapid development and prototyping […]View the full article

Poland’s defense industry has taken a bold step into the future of land warfare with the development of GNOM, an innovative wheeled loitering munition designed to deliver precision strikes against armored targets. Developed by MACRO-SYSTEM and tested during the recent “Iron Gate 25” exercise with the 18th Mechanized Division, GNOM is emerging as one of […] The post Poland trials GNOM drone built to break armored assaults first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A new image circulating on Chinese social media appears to show another next-generation combat aircraft undergoing flight testing—marking the third such design spotted in recent months, and underscoring China’s rapid expansion of its advanced airpower programs. The photo, which lacks a confirmed location or timestamp, shows a sharp-edged delta-wing aircraft with a distinct elongated nose […] The post New Chinese stealth aircraft spotted in test flight first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

OK, full disclosure, I have a little bit of battered child syndrome on this topic. On my first sea duty, we saw the odd retirement ceremony, but they were for senior enlisted or a Commander/Captain leaving after 20-25-30 or so. I don’t remember the details. That is a good retirement ceremony. In my first year of shore duty, that changed. I got roped into the preparation and planning of a 2-star admiral’s retirement ceremony that to this day is over the top. At the time it was unseemly. Untold hours and money were spent on this Broadway-like ceremony. Some of it was just cringe, but it was done. Dozens of officers and enlisted personnel were expended on this individual…and…

The U.S. Army is calling on defense contractors to propose solutions for the development of an extended-range 155mm projectile as part of its Next Generation Rocket Assisted Projectile (NGRAP) program. The request, issued through a sources sought notice by the Army Contracting Command-New Jersey (ACC-NJ), supports efforts led by the Project Manager for Combat Ammunition […] The post U.S. Army looks to expand artillery range first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article