Raw Intel

Footage released by Russia shows a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft flying over the Black Sea equipped with a rarely seen intelligence-gathering system. The video, filmed from the cockpit of a Russian Su-35S fighter, highlights the Poseidon carrying the AN/APS-154 Advanced Airborne Sensor (AAS), one of the Navy’s most secretive radar pods. The […] The post Russian fighter intercepts U.S. spy plane with secret sensor first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is continuing its evaluation process before making a final decision on whether to acquire surplus F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait, despite reports claiming the deal had been abandoned. RMAF chief General Datuk Seri Muhammad Norazlan Aris, in comments to the New Straits Times, rejected speculation that the plan […] The post Deal not dead: Malaysia still assessing Kuwaiti F/A-18s first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

On August 28, 2025, the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of Ukraine confirmed that its special operations forces carried out a coordinated drone attack against a Russian Project 21631 Buyan-M small missile ship. The vessel, a known Kalibr cruise missile carrier, was operating near the Temryuk Bay area off the coast of temporarily occupied Crimea. According […] The post Ukraine hits Russian Kalibr carrier in Azov Sea first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

As Ukraine continues to use low-cost homemade drones to ignite Russian oil refineries, Moscow unleashed one of its most destructive missile and drone barrages on Kyiv in months, striking civilian neighborhoods in the heart of the capital. In the overnight assault of August 28, Russia fired hundreds of weapons — including ballistic and cruise missiles […] The post Ukraine’s cheap drones hit refineries, Russia bombs Kyiv first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

There was something in the air about JCIDS in the spring. I’d encourage you to review my Substack from March then come back. I’ll do one of my favorite things and quote myself from the above post. The process has become the product. It is no longer fit for purpose, if it ever was. As we have often discussed, the accretions encumbered acquisition process that has become the greatest impediment to a military prepared to face the world’s threats. No serious person without a stake in the current system supports keeping it. It stifles innovation, is comically bureaucratic, and is intentionally designed to get between those who have to fight our wars and the equipment they need…

Electronic Warfare (EW) has become one of the most decisive tools in modern drone warfare, with jamming now shaping battlefields from Ukraine to Israel’s borders. Aviv Bar Zohar, a leading counter-UAS expert, told Defence Blog that while current EW systems disrupt or disable most GPS-based drones, new navigation technologies are beginning to challenge that advantage. […] The post Expert: Jamming dominates, but drones adapt first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Army has begun production of the second tranche of its Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Unmanned Aircraft Systems, pushing forward efforts to modernize battlefield intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities. The Army announced that Teal Drones and its Black Widow system are among the vendors selected to manufacture the SRR platform, which will equip the service’s […] The post U.S. Army expands production of short range recon drones first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Malaysia has canceled its plan to acquire F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets from the Kuwait Air Force, according to a report by Malaysian news site Twentytwo13, citing sources familiar with the decision. The outlet said the cancellation stems from multiple factors that made the transfer complicated and ultimately unworkable. Among the primary concerns were aircraft availability, […] The post Malaysia drops plan to buy Kuwait F/A-18 fighter jets first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) has confirmed it is partnering with U.S. defense company Kratos to develop a low-cost cruise missile program based on the MQM-178 Firejet target drone. The project, described as a joint development rather than a commissioned military program, is aimed at both domestic demonstration and potential foreign […] The post Taiwan develops low-cost cruise missile first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Marine Corps is increasing its reliance on logistic drones to support front-line units, turning to a combat-tested system already in service with Ukraine. The Tactical Resupply Vehicle 150 (TRV-150), designed by the U.K.’s Malloy Aeronautics, has now reached operational use within Marine Corps logistics units following a series of training and integration milestones. […] The post U.S. Marines expand use of TRV-150 logistic drones first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Army has officially fielded the newest version of its Soldier Borne Sensor reconnaissance drone, earning high praise from Soldiers who trained with it for the first time this month. The system, developed under Program Executive Office Soldier, is designed to give troops real-time intelligence while keeping them out of direct danger. Officials said […] The post U.S. Army fields new pocket-sized recon drone first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Polish defense company MACRO-SYSTEM has unveiled its GNOM loitering munition during live demonstrations at DALO Industry Days and Uncrewed Innovation Day in Denmark. In a statement, the company said: “During the DALO Industry Days and the Uncrewed Innovation Day demonstrations in Denmark, we had the opportunity to showcase our GNOM loitering munition in action. We […] The post Polish firm showcases ground kamikaze drone first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

At Uncrewed Innovation Day 2025, defense technology firms MDSI and Armadrone conducted a live demonstration of advanced drone warfare integration, showcasing the controlled release of a precision-guided munition from an uncrewed aerial platform. The trial featured Armadrone’s PUNISHER drone carrying MDSI’s precision-guided munition, known as MAILMAN, in a test that emphasized seamless interoperability and accuracy. […] The post Punisher drone tests MAILMAN munition in Denmark first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukrainian military intelligence has taken delivery of a U.S.-made UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, purchased through a nationwide crowdfunding campaign organized in the Czech Republic. The handover marks the culmination of a year-long effort led by the volunteer initiative Dárek pro Putina (“A Gift for Putin”), which raised more than 72.6 million Czech crowns—about $3.2 million—from […] The post Czech volunteers buy Black Hawk for Ukraine first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

NATO last month, to absolutely no fanfare, published a revision to the Alliance Maritime Strategy. Don’t feel bad if you’re finding out about it first here—you’re not alone. You can search NATO’s website, but you can’t find it—at least I couldn’t. Head over to my friends at NATO’s Maritime Command in Northwood, nothing there either. If it weren’t for the friendly hippies at Human Rights at Sea, we wouldn’t have the copy you can download here. I’m not sure who is responsible for action in para 2, but Shipmate…it’s been a month. This is a solid, compact briefing document that we should be handing out like pamphlets at the church door on Sunday. Someone needs a closed door c…

Raytheon, an RTX business, and the U.S. Navy have successfully conducted the first live maritime test of the AN/SPY-6(V)4 radar. The test took place at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Barking Sands, Hawaii, where the Advanced Radar Detection Laboratory hosted multiple trials over open water. During the events, the radar tracked air and surface […] The post U.S. Navy conducts first maritime test of SPY-6(V)4 radar first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

BAE Systems has announced the delivery of its 1,000th infrared seeker for the U.S. Army’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) program. The delivery was made to Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for THAAD, for integration onto the interceptor missile. The seeker provides advanced sensing and guidance that allows the missile to detect, track, and […] The post BAE Systems delivers 1,000th THAAD seeker first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Boston-based Blue Water Autonomy has announced the close of a $50 million Series A funding round led by GV, with participation from Eclipse, Riot, and Impatient Ventures. The investment brings the company’s total raised to $64 million since April 2025, when it completed a $14 million seed round. The company said the funding will allow […] The post Boston startup secures $50M for U.S. Navy’s autonomous warship first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) has commenced production of the Finnish Navy’s third multi-purpose corvette under the Squadron 2020 program. The milestone was marked on August 26 with a traditional steel cutting ceremony at the Rauma shipyard. With this step, three of the four Pohjanmaa-class corvettes are now in production. RMC said the progress demonstrates both […] The post RMC starts building third multi-role corvette first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

China is developing a new generation of armored vehicle technology that uses augmented reality (AR) headsets to enhance crew awareness and combat performance. The systems, linked to external cameras and sensors mounted on tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, provide crews with a real-time, 360-degree view of the battlefield. According to reports, the AR headsets project […] The post China develops AR headsets for tank crews first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article