Raw Intel

Sometimes, the answer to high-tech threats lies in low-cost, proven solutions. Just as shotguns have earned their place as an effective tool against drones, another old-school method is gaining traction on the front lines: nets. The concept is simple — stop the drone before it reaches its target. Improvised “tunnels” made of mesh are now […] The post Ukrainian troops trap drones with farming mesh first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The United States Army has released new images and details on the deployment of Stryker combat vehicles supporting border security operations in Texas as part of Joint Task Force–Southern Border. The photographs, taken on November 4 in Presidio, Texas, show soldiers operating Stryker vehicles during mission support for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. According to […]View the full article

SIG SAUER announced on Tuesday that the Swiss Armed Forces have officially selected the P320 pistol as their new standard-issued sidearm. The decision is part of Switzerland’s broader New Generation Project aimed at modernizing core equipment for its military personnel. According to a company statement, the selection followed a rigorous competitive process conducted by Armasuisse, […]View the full article

SummaryIn this conversation, the hosts and Palantir’s Head of Defense Mike Gallagher and Head of Shipbuilding and Naval Programs Matt Babin discuss the integration of AI and advanced manufacturing techniques in shipbuilding, particularly focusing on the role of Palantir’s ShipOS in transforming shipyard operations. They explore the generational gap in expertise within the industry, the importance of optimizing workforce efficiency, and the collaboration between NAVSEA and the Maritime Industrial Base Program. The discussion also touches on legislative support needed for modern shipbuilding and the challenges faced in submarine maintenance and production. You can listen a…

South Korea’s defense manufacturer Hanwha Aerospace signed a memorandum of understanding on Feb. 9, 2026, with Estonia-based startup Frankenburg Technologies to jointly develop counter-unmanned aircraft systems for next-generation land weapon platforms. The signing ceremony took place during World Defense Show 2026 and was attended by Dong-hyeon Kim, head of the Land Systems Business Group at […]View the full article

United States missiles, drones, and Israeli fighter jets began striking targets inside Iran on Feb. 28 at approximately 9:45 a.m. Iran Standard Time (1:15 a.m. EST), launching a coordinated military campaign aimed at degrading Iranian military infrastructure and air defense networks. The operation was conducted under the Israeli codename Operation Roaring Lion and the U.S. […]View the full article

The British Army and UK Defence Innovation have issued a Request for Information for a vehicle-mounted 120mm hinged mortar system under Project STOKES, opening a formal procurement process aimed at fielding approximately 60 systems integrated onto light tactical vehicles, with the Jackal 3 Extenda identified as the assumed platform. The RFI, published under project code […]View the full article

AM General showed up to Modern Day Marine with two vehicles and a clear message: the company that built the HMMWV for four decades is now building the unmanned systems that will operate alongside whatever comes next. At Booth 2007 of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., AM General displayed its next-generation […]View the full article

On May 22, the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi, a city outside Chennai in southern India, rolled out the 1,000th T-90 Bhishma main battle tank built on Indian soil, completing a production run that began with Russian blueprints and foreign components two decades ago and ends with a tank that is roughly 80 percent Indian […]View the full article

Portugal is doubling down on a bet it made just a year ago: that the best way to watch its own coastline and territory is to own the satellites doing the watching, rather than renting someone else’s. ICEYE, the Finnish company that operates the world’s largest synthetic aperture radar satellite constellation, announced that CTI Aeroespacial, […]View the full article

From the Sea of Azov, Strait of Hormuz, Ankara, to the South China Sea - don’t miss today’s LIVE Midrats Podcast from 5-6pm Eastern. You can join the live session and contribute the chat room at this link. In our melee format, Mark and I have our list of topics, but if you join the live show chat, you can ask us questions or even suggest a topic we cover. Live…not net. If you are reading this after the show, check the Substack later Sunday night for all the podcast links. Don’t miss it! Leave a comment Share This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. View the full article

A team of engineers have proved that a helicopter design older than most of their grandparents can still out-fly the strangest, most futuristic drone shapes engineers could dream up. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Pentagon’s advanced research arm known for funding technologies that eventually reshape entire industries, announced that its Lift Challenge had […]View the full article

Finland has agreed to buy more than 100 Patria TREMOS mortar systems, with an option for hundreds more, defense manufacturer Patria announced. Deliveries under the serial production contract begin this year and will continue through 2028, Patria said. The Finnish Army designates the system the 120 KRH M3. Finland already received a smaller pre-series batch […]View the full article

The U.S. military will deploy its NMESIS anti-ship missile launcher to Yonaguni, Japan’s westernmost inhabited island and about 107 km (66 miles) from Taiwan, during a major U.S.-Japanese exercise this month, Japan’s Kyodo News reported on Oct. 2, citing the Yonaguni town government. The launcher will take part in Keen Sword, a large joint exercise […]View the full article

A U.S. Army Patriot air defense battalion at Fort Hood, Texas, has put its launchers, radars and support vehicles into the field for a battalion-wide readiness exercise, according to photos released by the service on Oct. 21, 2026. The exercise involves the 1st Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, part of the 69th Air Defense […]View the full article

Americas Raytheon Missiles Won a $239.1 million contract modification for StormBreaker (SDBII, GBU-53/B) production Lot 6. Designed to address critical troop needs, the StormBreaker can detect, track, and destroy stationary or moving targets with high-precision and stand-off range during the day and at night in all-weather conditions. The GBU-53/B, originally known as the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II), has a tri-mode guidance system able to find targets using imaging infrared or millimeter-wave radar, or using semi-active laser homing to hit a designated aimpoint. Depending on the altitude of the launching aircraft, the weapon can also glide up to 69 miles on its own us…

New year, new decade, and a new President. Where should be be looking to have the right view on changes to strategy and maritime power? What existing trends are getting stronger, weakening - and what new things are starting to show up on the scope? Our guest for the full hour this Sunday from 5-6pm Eastern to cover the full natsec waterfront as we find it will be returning guest James R. Holmes, PhD. James holds the J. C. Wylie Chair of Maritime Strategy at the Naval War College and served on the faculty of the University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs. A former U.S. Navy surface-warfare officer, he was the last gunnery officer in history t…

Americas Textron Systems won a $15.8 million contract for a one-time mid-life upgrade engineering change proposal for the advanced boresight equipment (ABE) system to modernize and bring 100 fielded domestic and Foreign Military Sales units up to the current commercial off the shelf configuration. Additionally, this contract procures depot repair and upgrade support for the ABE currently installed on AH-1Z, AH-1W and MH-60R combat aircraft, ashore and afloat. Depot repair and upgrade support includes tear down and evaluation of ABE, as well as restoration, modification, and procurement of spare parts in support of ABE component and assembly repairs and upgrades. Work will…

Americas EaglePicher Technologies won a $12 million deal for the BBU-63/B Impulse Cartridge for the B-2 bomber. The B-2 is a low-observable, strategic, long-range, heavy bomber capable of penetrating sophisticated and dense air-defense shields. Work will take place in Missouri. Estimated completion date is September 30, 2026. The US Navy has sent its third and final ship Zumwalt Class destroyer off to sea trials, its maker, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, announced. The USS Lyndon B. Johnson, christened in April 2019, left the Bath Iron Works shipyard on Friday and is expected to be commissioned by the Navy in 2023, after its combat systems are fully installed and acti…

Back in 2014 we took a day to give a nod to MA2 Mayo, USN. A year later friends at USNI News posted the final report. Make sure and read the VCNO's endorsement below. Lots to ponder there, and in honor of Perry Officer Mayo, you should give it a read. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4hf-CRLxgLo/UzTjvaOFojI/AAAAAAAAIEA/ipwhck5s4AI/s320/Killed-Sailor-from-USS-Mahan-Shooting-Identified-495x278.jpgIn port. Just another watch on the pier. Tic. Toc. Yawn. It's 23:20. Watch is almost over. Thing is, there is no such thing as a normal watch. You never know when the call comes. You don't even have to be at sea. You don't even have to be overseas. You can just be at the largest nava…