Raw Intel

Lockheed Martin has begun final assembly of the first F-35A Lightning II fighter jet destined for the German Air Force at its Fort Worth, Texas production facility. The airframe has entered final assembly with its major structural components joined and positioned for installation of critical systems. The F-35A program is intended to provide the Luftwaffe […]View the full article

AZAK said it will present its second-generation unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) at the AUSA Global Force Symposium & Exposition in Huntsville, Alabama, from March 24 to 26, 2026. The Denver-based company confirmed it will bring its latest platform to the event following recent progress in U.S. Army-linked innovation programs. According to the company, the deployment […]View the full article

Anyone who has visited major military and aerospace exhibitions such as the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget in France, Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, IDEX in the UAE, or AUSA in the United States has likely noticed the many display models that stand out for their detail and close resemblance to real […]View the full article

From the “Strongly Worded Letter” department of the Rules Based International Order school, there are more nations signing up to so something to keep the free flow of goods at market price through the global Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC), of which the Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important. Several more countries on Friday joined leading European nations, Japan ​and Canada in signing a joint statement, opens new tab saying they were ready to join appropriate efforts to ‌ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and would take steps to stabilise energy markets. This is the full text of the statement from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, J…

AM General said it will present a new Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) at the Association of the U.S. Army Global Force Symposium & Exposition, scheduled for March 24–26, 2026, in Huntsville, Alabama. The company confirmed the platform will be displayed at the Von Braun Convention Center as part of its latest effort to advance autonomous […]View the full article

The Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said Russian forces carried out 619 assault operations between March 17 and March 20, 2026, but failed to break Ukrainian defenses and suffered heavy losses during the offensive. Syrskyi said Ukrainian command anticipated the escalation and reinforced frontline units in advance, allowing forces to absorb […]View the full article

Ukrainian drone operators have intercepted and destroyed a rare Russian Skat-type reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle, according to video and a statement released by Wild Hornets, a developer of interceptor drones. Systems like the Skat-450M are used not only for surveillance but also for guiding strikes, including those carried out with Iskander ballistic missile systems. Wild […]View the full article

Germany has financed an additional 15,000 STRILA interceptor drones for Ukraine’s National Guard under a new support package that also includes training, logistics, and further development, the German Embassy in Ukraine said Monday. “Another 15,000 STRILA interceptor drones produced in Ukraine with German funding for the National Guard of Ukraine. The multi-million agreement also provides […]View the full article

Lockheed Martin has signed executive agreements with Poland’s Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 1 (WZL-1) in Lodz, part of the PGZ Group, to support key components of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. The agreements, valued at approximately 300 million zloty ($81 million), cover maintenance, repair, and testing of critical systems. According to the agreement, the Lodz facility […]View the full article

Japan’s Defense Ministry plans to establish a new coastal defense system built around thousands of drones, allocating about ¥100 billion ($628.7 million) in its fiscal 2026 budget. The planned SHIELD system will include more than 10 types of drones designed for different roles, including attacking enemy ships, gathering intelligence, and protecting radar installations. The concept […]View the full article

After a series of great guests, the Midrats Podcast returns this week with the ever popular, “Free-for-All” format! It’s just Mark and me for the full hour as we discuss the latest developments from the Iranian conflict and elsewhere. As always, if you can join us live, hop in the live chat and suggest your own topics, or direct questions to us. 5-6 PM Eastern this Sunday. You can join via this link. If you’re reading this after the show, check the Substack later for the updated podcast links. See you in a few! 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 art…

The United States Army has awarded Skydio a contract exceeding $52 million for more than 2,500 X10D drones, marking the largest small unmanned aircraft system procurement from a single manufacturer in the service’s history. The order was placed through Atlantic Diving Supply and moved from bid to award in less than 72 hours. According to […]View the full article

The ZEUS unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Poland-based Ekolot Aerospace & Defense (EAD) in cooperation with Spain’s UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía has completed its first flights, according to EPKR Spotters. The ZEUS platform is designed to combine fixed-wing endurance with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), addressing operational needs where traditional runways are unavailable. EPKR Spotters wrote: […]View the full article

Images circulating on social media show the apparent aftermath of an Israeli strike on Iranian Navy assets at a naval facility in Bandar Anzali on the Caspian Sea, with visible destruction of multiple vessels at the port. The Israel Defense Forces said on March 19, 2026, that its Air Force, guided by naval and military […]View the full article

The United States Central Command said it conducted a strike on the Kuh-E Barjamali ballistic missile assembly facility in Iran, releasing before-and-after imagery dated March 1 and March 7, 202. The facility, located in the Barjamali Hills southeast of Tehran, was identified as a production site for close-, short-, and medium-range ballistic missiles. The strike […]View the full article

EOS Defense Systems USA said Friday it conducted counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) testing of its weapon system at N2L Range in Huntsville, Alabama. EOS said the trials were aimed at refining system performance and ensuring readiness against evolving drone threats. “Capability is proven in the field,” the company said in a statement. “EOS recently worked […]View the full article

Canada’s Defence Investment Agency has awarded Colt Canada a contract to deliver up to 65,402 assault rifle systems under the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle (CMAR) program. The rifles will replace the Canadian Armed Forces’ current C7 and C8 service weapons, which have been in use for more than 35 years. The CMAR program is part […]View the full article

Turkish state-owned defense company Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE) has revealed its PİRANA kamikaze unmanned surface vessel (USV), a system designed to serve as a strike asset for the Turkish Navy once it enters service. The company said the platform was developed for maritime operations as part of a broader push beyond land and air […]View the full article

Aeon conducted a test launch of its new Zeus shoulder-fired missile system at a ranch in East Texas, according to Rochefort Ventures CEO Kyle Bass, who announced the milestone on Friday. Bass wrote that the launch marked a milestone for the program, crediting developer Naweed Tahmas and his team for rapid progress. The test comes […]View the full article

An AEGIR-W unmanned surface vessel made by U.S.-based Sierra Nevada Corporation was found by civilians off the coast of Ordu, Turkey. Authorities are expected to inspect the vessel before destroying it. The find stands out because the AEGIR-W is a military-grade unmanned surface vessel, or USV, designed for operations in contested environments, including reconnaissance, electronic […]View the full article