Raw Intel

The U.S. Army is moving quickly to modernize its heavy-lift aviation fleet, authorizing rapid procurement and fielding of the CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopter beginning in fiscal years 2025 and 2026. The decision will deliver the upgraded aircraft to two Combat Aviation Brigades, enhancing operational reach and readiness for large-scale combat operations. The CH-47F Block […] The post U.S. Army speeds up CH-47F Block II fielding first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A video circulating on TikTok appears to show, for the first time, a modernized Zlin Z-137 Agro Turbo aircraft modified to carry and launch missiles. The clip was shared by the open-source intelligence community Tysk, which wrote: “Flight of a turboprop Moravan Z-137 Agro Turbo, converted to launch missiles, somewhere over Ukraine.” The footage has […] The post Missile-equipped farm plane spotted in Ukraine first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

It was only a matter of time until there was a serious incident involving Chinese bullying in the South China Sea, but I didn’t have a Red-on-Red on my betting card. “The [Chinese coastguard vessel] CCG 3104, which was chasing the [Philippine coastguard vessel] BRP Suluan at high speed, performed a risky manoeuvre from the [Philippine] vessel’s starboard quarter, leading to the impact with the PLA [People’s Liberation Army] Navy warship,” spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a statement. “This resulted in substantial damage to the CCG vessel’s forecastle, rendering it unseaworthy,” he said. The incident occurred as the Philippine coastguard escorted boats distributing…

Italian Centauro B1 wheeled tank destroyers have been spotted on Ukrainian frontlines, the press service of the 78th Separate Assault Airborne Regiment said, offering the first visual confirmation of the vehicles’ presence despite reports that surfaced earlier. The footage, released to mark Airborne Forces Day, shows Centauro B1s fitted with an array of improvised protective […]View the full article

Americas General Atomics Aeronautical Systems won a $34.8 million deal, which procures Air Vehicle and Ground Control Station spares in support of the successful operational capability of the Marine Air Ground Task Force Unmanned Aircraft System Expeditionary Medium Altitude Long Endurance MQ-9 Reaper air vehicles. Work will be performed in Poway, California, and is expected to be completed in May 2028. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Bell Boeing won a $21.9 million deal, which provides for non-recurring efforts for the engineering, component production, supportability, and management necessary to facilitate the incorporat…

The U.S. Navy, in collaboration with aerospace firm Skydweller Aero, has completed a continuous 73-hour unmanned flight using solar power alone. The test, conducted out of Stennis, Mississippi, represents a major step forward in applying solar-powered aircraft for maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. The demonstration was led by the Naval Air Warfare Center […] The post U.S. Navy tests long-endurance solar drone first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Sweden is moving ahead with another major investment in its ground-based air defense network, announcing new spending totaling 3.5 billion SEK ($365 million) as part of a renewed push to strengthen protection against drones, helicopters, missiles, and fast-moving aircraft. The announcement was made on November 25 at the Air Defence Regiment in Halmstad (Lv 6), […]View the full article

Finnish company Summa Defence Plc has launched production of Zeus FPV drones in several configurations, with the systems primarily supplied to Ukraine’s defense forces, according to reporting by Defense Express. The Finnish defense group Summa Defence Plc said in a press release dated December 23 that it delivered the first batch of Zeus FPV drones […]View the full article

Ukrainian long-range one-way attack drones have carried out some of the deepest strikes of the war so far, hitting critical industrial sites deep inside Russian territory — more than 1,700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border — in what Kyiv officials say demonstrates a rapidly advancing domestic drone capability. Unmanned systems struck two major targets in […] The post Ukrainian long-range drones hit targets deep inside Russia first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

KNDS has announced two major production milestones for its CAESAR artillery line, marking the rollout of the 450th CAESAR MKI and the 100th CAESAR MKI OCTAVE. The announcement was made by Olivier Bonfils, Director of Industry & Supply Chain at KNDS, who emphasized the achievements as a testament to growing industrial capacity and deep cooperation […]View the full article

As the war in Ukraine continues into its fourth year, one lesson stands out for militaries worldwide: even the simplest weapons can have a place on the modern battlefield. Among them is the shotgun — a smoothbore firearm long dismissed as outdated, yet now proving its worth against one of the most difficult threats facing […] The post Shotguns return to relevance in drone warfare first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

AM General, the maker of the legendary Humvee, says it will spotlight the agility and lethality of its light-force portfolio at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting, Oct. 13–15, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The company plans to show the restyled Hawkeye 105mm Mobile Howitzer System, the new and recently […] The post Humvee maker offers new pickup for U.S. troops first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

One of our guests on Episode 3 of Midrats was Bryan McGrath, CDR, USN (Ret.). Over the years he’s returned often, and has even graced us with the pleasure of a few guest posts here. As he’s let people know for years, he was going to retire for good at 60. True to his word, he hung it up a few weeks ago. Earlier this year before he got too focused on his figs and vines, I asked Bryan to come on for a broad-ranging conversation. We go live at 5pm Eastern this Sunday for a full hour with an old friend. You can join us at this link. If you are reading this after the show, check the Substack later on Sunday night and I’ll upload the podcast. A retired Naval Officer, Bryan spen…

Israeli defense technology firm SMARTSHOOTER has secured a new order for hundreds of its SMASH 3000 fire control systems from an undisclosed Asia-Pacific customer, the company announced. The systems will be used for counter-small unmanned aircraft systems (C-sUAS) missions and precision engagement of ground targets. The contract follows what SMARTSHOOTER described as a period of […] The post Mystery Asian customer buys Israeli-made computerized rifle sights first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A prominent Russian lawmaker and retired general has issued a direct threat of military action against Azerbaijan, escalating tensions between Moscow and Baku amid already strained relations. In remarks delivered in a combative tone, State Duma Deputy Lt. Gen. Andrey Gurulev accused Azerbaijan of “damaging relations” with Russia by supporting Ukraine. “If Russian store shelves […] The post Azerbaijan ready to respond to Russian threats first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

As some of you are aware, I am forcing myself to finish General Kenneth McKenzie, USMC (Ret.)’s book on his tour as the Commander at CENTCOM, The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century. My opinion of his performance at CENTCOM is well known to readers. However, Tom Ricks subtly challenged me to read the book. I’ve compromised and checked it out as an audiobook. (spoiler: my opinion of his performance gets worse with each minute of the book). Anyway, in order to get through this before it ruins my early fall, I’ve sped the audio up to 1.25X speed to get through the remaining 2+ hours I have left. I’m at the point right before the Abbey Gate attack, and it …

General Dynamics NASSCO has received $1.7 billion to build two additional John Lewis–class fleet replenishment oilers for the U.S. Navy, the company said on November 10. The new funding covers the construction of T-AO 215 and T-AO 216 and continues the long-running shipbuilding effort that supports underway logistics for U.S. naval forces worldwide. According to […]View the full article

North Macedonia has expanded its fleet of U.S.-built armored vehicles with the delivery of 29 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs), formally presented on August 15 at the “Jane Sandanski” Barracks in Shtip. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, Minister of Defence Vlado Misajlovski, Chief of the General Staff Major General Sashko Lafchiski, […] The post North Macedonia receives 29 new JLTVs from U.S. first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Roshel, one of North America’s leading armored vehicle manufacturers, has confirmed the delivery of its Senator Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) to a U.S. law enforcement agency in Guam — expanding the company’s footprint to one of the most remote U.S. territories and a key strategic location in the Indo-Pacific. “Our next delivery is of the […]View the full article

Hungarian fighter jets stationed in Lithuania intercepted a formation of Russian military aircraft approaching NATO airspace on September 25, the alliance said in a statement. According to NATO, the intercept took place when a five-ship group of Russian aircraft — including one Su-30, one Su-35, and three MiG-31 fighter jets — was detected flying close […] The post Hungarian Gripens scramble to intercept Russian jets first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article