Raw Intel

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that relations between the United States and China “has never been better,” following President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea and subsequent military talks in Malaysia. In a statement posted on X, Hegseth wrote, “I just spoke to President Trump, and we agree […]View the full article

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

Americas Overland AI has added its autonomous technology to the US Army’s SMET (Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport) vehicle, made by General Dynamics. The vehicle was upgraded with Overland AI’s OverDrive software, SPARK hardware, and OverWatch control system, allowing it to drive itself. The upgraded vehicle was tested over two weeks during Project Convergence Capstone 5, an important Army event for trying out new technologies. RTX has been approved to start limited production of the US Army’s new radar system, called the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS). This new radar will replace the old Patriot radar, which has been in use since the 1980s. LTAMD…

Israel’s Elbit Systems Ltd. has reported a sharp rise in second-quarter revenues and earnings, citing strong domestic and international demand for its defense technologies. The Israeli defense company posted revenues of $2.0 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, up 21% from the same period last year. According to the company’s earnings release, GAAP […] The post Israeli defense giant reports 21% revenue growth first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas Illinois-based aviation service provider AAR has received a $1.2-billion contract to perform maintenance for the US Navy’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft fleet. The agreement stipulates depot-level engine and airframe sustainment as well as on-site assessments to maintain the planes’ operability. Tasks will incorporate technical directives, modifications, overhauls, and aircraft-on-ground support, scheduled and unscheduled. Work for the engine will be facilitated in partnership with Georgia-based aviation industry partner Delta TechOps. The Montana Air National Guard (MT ANG) conducted a groundbreaking training exercise on September 25.…

The Chinese Air Force has released new official footage of the GJ-11 uncrewed combat air vehicle, marking the first time the aircraft has been shown both inside a hangar and conducting flight operations. The video, recently published by Chinese state media, includes scenes of the flying-wing drone operating alongside a J-20S stealth fighter, underscoring its […]View the full article

Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani is in Turkey today, where he met with Defense Minister Yaşar Güler to discuss expanding cooperation in the defense sector. The Ministry of Defense said the talks on August 19 included the possible procurement of Turkish-made drones for the Self-Defense Forces. Japan is assessing Turkey’s well-established expertise in unmanned aerial […] The post Japan weighs Turkish drones after Ukraine combat success first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

2004 was 21 years ago. That is the difference from the end of WWI to 1939, the start of WWII; from the end of WWII to 1966; and from the attacks of 9/11 to 2022. What is an example of a great documentary about one of the above? Let’s take Victory at Sea. It came out in 1952, seven years after the end of WWII. The documentary was a long series about a very broad topic with about 13 hours’ run time. What if you were going to focus on just a battle instead of the broad sweep like VaS took and wanted to keep it inside 90 minutes? Would it take half as long, 3 or 4 years? Imagine a documentary of WWI, WWII, or 9/11, full of primary sources from the major players, and footage…

Americas General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) has signed a $580-million deal to maintain the security and readiness of US Army bases. This task order encompasses Integrated Base Defense Sustainment Support tasks required to preserve the operational availability of radars, sensors, and cameras that protect installations, their personnel, and infrastructure. A recent Atlantic Council report has sparked debate on how to prepare for simultaneous conflicts with China and North Korea. Based on tabletop exercises known as Guardian Tiger I and II, the report urges a sweeping overhaul of US command arrangements and alliance coordination. Middle East & Africa Israel’s…

Morocco is considering the acquisition of up to 400 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks and the Cheongung (KM-SAM) medium-range air defense system from South Korea, according to South Korean industrial sources. The reported plan would mark the first integration of South Korean military equipment into the Moroccan Armed Forces if it moves forward. The […]View the full article

Americas Silent Arrow has clinched a $1.8-million Direct to Phase II SBIR contract from the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to build and test six CLS-200 drones. The CLS-200 is an unmanned aerial system (UAS) known as a Contested Logistics System designed to carry 227 kilograms over 230 miles/370 kilometers. The US Navy has commissioned the 14th Freedom-class littoral combat ship, the USS Nantucket (LCS 27), in Boston, Massachusetts. The event followed the vessel’s acceptance trials in 2022 and delivery in July 2024. Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine began construction in 2017 as part of the US Department of Defense’s objective to modernize its wars…

Ukrainian drone operators with the Security Service’s “A” Center for Special Operations (CSO “A”) have intercepted a Russian Orion unmanned aerial vehicle in what appears to be the most advanced drone-on-drone engagement recorded to date. The intercept, reported by the Ukrainian defense outlet Militarnyi, was confirmed through video footage published by the SBU. The Orion […] The post Ukrainian drone intercepts Russian Orion first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Minco Technologies of Cookeville, Tennessee, a contract valued at up to $13.6 million to develop a next-generation unmanned aircraft engine designed to dramatically reduce fuel consumption and improve operational flexibility. The project aims to create a modular, fuel-flexible propulsion system that could cut the logistical fuel supply chain by […] The post Pentagon funds $13.6M project to make drones twice as fuel-efficient first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Elbit Systems has secured a $260 million contract from Airbus Defence and Space to deliver its J-MUSIC Directed Infrared Counter Measures (DIRCM) system for the German Air Force’s A400M transport aircraft fleet. According to a press release from Elbit Systems, the six-year contract follows a procurement decision by Germany’s Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology […] The post Germany taps Elbit for A400M missile defense deal first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has taken delivery of the Airbus H160 helicopter. The aircraft will be used by the prestigious EPNER flight test school to train future generations of test pilots, engineers, and aircrew. Patrice Gaillon, deputy director of EPNER and head of training, announced the delivery, calling the new aircraft a vital […] The post Next-gen H160 helicopter begins service with French test fleet first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

If you’ve been looking for a more substantial reason for the latest news coming from Japan, you’re thinking right. The last month or so since the new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, took office, you’re hearing a lot of superficial symptoms of a larger issue. Hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi was voted in by parliament as Japan’s first female prime minister on Tuesday, emulating her hero, Britain’s late leader Margaret Thatcher, after a whirlwind few weeks of political wrangling. … She is a regular visitor to the Yasukuni shrine, which honours Japan’s war dead - including some executed war criminals - and is viewed by some Asian neighbours as a symbol of its past milita…

The United States Army has awarded Overland AI a $2 million contract following the xTechOverwatch competition to deliver autonomous ground vehicles to troopers of the 1st Cavalry Division, the company confirmed in a public statement posted three days ago. The award follows a series of soldier-run operational missions conducted under xTechOverwatch, a competitive Army program […]View the full article

The United States Air Force has awarded Strategic Test Solutions LLC a $1.87 billion service contract to support operations and maintenance at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, according to an official contract award notice released this week. Strategic Test Solutions LLC, based in Huntsville, Alabama, received a contract valued at $1,868,902,857 for the Eglin […]View the full article

Americas Canada has awarded GM Defense a contract to deliver 90 Light Tactical Vehicles (LTVs) for the army. The $25.9 million deal covers 54 personnel and 36 cargo variants of the LTV. It will also supply training, logistics support, technical manuals, and spare parts sourced from other local companies. Additionally, this agreement offers an option for up to 18 more LTVs depending on the army’s requirements in the future. The first five systems are expected to arrive in Canada this month. The US Air Force has conducted the final flight of the T-1 Jayhawk medium-range trainer jet, marking the aircraft’s retirement after three decades. The aircraft flew from Joint Base San…

Rightfully, over the last week there’s been a fair bit of chatter about TLAM going to Ukraine. The United States is considering Ukraine’s request to obtain long-range Tomahawk missiles for its effort to push back against Russian invaders, Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has asked the United States to sell Tomahawks to European nations that would send them to Ukraine. Vance said on “Fox News Sunday” that U.S. President Donald Trump would make the “final determination” on whether to allow the deal. ISW, where the above graphic came from, had a solid thread over at X on the implications, but it could use a little bit of a wet b…