HG S2 (Intel Bot)

At the Changchun Air Show, China publicly displayed for the first time a J-6 fighter aircraft that has been converted into a drone, marking a rare appearance of the retrofitted Cold War-era jet in unmanned form. “This aircraft is modified based on the J-6 fighter jet, with the removal of cannon weapon systems, external fuel […] The post China converts Cold War jet into combat drone first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Serbian Armed Forces have been spotted rehearsing with one-way attack drones developed by UAE-based EDGE Group, ahead of the “Unity of Strength” military parade scheduled for September 20 in Belgrade. Footage from the rehearsal reveals the presence of two loitering munitions, the Shadow 50 and Shadow 25, marking the first known public appearance of […] The post Serbia showcases UAE-made kamikaze drones first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Let’s catch up to an old topic we had a pleasant return to back in July, thanks to our friends the Japanese. Every little step gets you closer. According to ATLA, the railgun, mounted on the JMSDF’s test ship Asuka, successfully carried out long-range firings and the shooting at a target ship during the trials. The tests of the gun were conducted with the cooperation of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The photos show the moment of the target ship being aimed at, as well as that of the railgun firing, using the Asuka. The fire control system is also visible next to the railgun. ATLA said details of the tests will be reported at its “ATLA Technological Symposium 2025” to be held on November 11-12 in Tokyo. The pic at the top of the post is just the test gun. Here’s a half-scale model of what they see as the operational weapon. Here is what Mod-0 is expected to get you. In previous trials conducted by ATLA, a projectile fired from a 6-meter-long, 40-millimeter-caliber barrel reached a hypersonic speed of 2,297 meters per second—nearly Mach 7—surpassing the roughly 1,750 meters per second achieved by a tank gun, the fastest conventional artillery system. Railguns can do rapid-fire and fire at lower cost compared to conventional interceptor missiles, making them a promising next-generation defense system against hypersonic weapons exceeding Mach 5 developed by China, North Korea, and Russia. Yes, yes, yes…2025 has its limitations. One major challenge, however, is their enormous power requirement. A high-capacity power supply is essential, and miniaturization remains a hurdle for deployment on ships and other platforms. There are also concerns about barrel life, how do you change barrels, etc. However, I want everyone to remember this little bit of history of what we know today as the torpedo. Wiki has a solid summary, so let’s grab from there. The Whitehead torpedo was the first self-propelled or "locomotive" torpedo ever developed.[a] It was perfected in 1866 by British engineer Robert Whitehead…In 1868, Whitehead offered two types of torpedoes to the world's navies: one was eleven feet seven inches (3.53 m) in length with a diameter of 14 inches (36 cm). It weighed 346 pounds (157 kg) and carried a 40-pound (18 kg) warhead. The other was 14 feet (4.3 m) long with a 16-inch (41 cm) diameter. It weighed 650 pounds (290 kg) and carried a 60-pound (27 kg) warhead. Both models could do 8–10 knots (15–19 km/h; 9.2–11.5 mph) with a range of 200 yards (180 m)…In 1871, the Royal Navy bought manufacturing rights, and started producing the torpedo at the Royal Laboratories at Woolwich, England. The Royal Navy fitted the Whitehead torpedo on its earliest submarines, from HMS Holland 1 onwards.[4] The French, German, Italian, Russian navies soon followed suit and began acquiring the Whitehead torpedo. By 1877, the Whitehead torpedo was attaining speeds of 18 mph (29 km/h) with ranges of up to 830 yards (760 m). By the 1880s, more of the world's navies acquired the Whitehead and began deploying torpedo boats to carry them into battle and engineers began to envision submarines armed with Whitehead torpedoes. In 1904, British Admiral Henry John May commented, "but for Whitehead, the submarine would remain an interesting toy and little more".[2][4] The last known operational use of a Whitehead torpedo was during the Battle of Drøbak Sound on 9 April 1940. Two torpedoes were fired from a torpedo battery in the Oslofjord at the German cruiser Blücher. This finished the ship off after it had been severely damaged by cannon fire from Oscarsborg. The Whitehead torpedo answered a driving question of the day: “Mines (aka torpedoes) are an incredible weapon, but the targeted ship has to drive into them. How can we make a torpedo move to the targeted ship instead?” Railguns answer a long-standing question as well: “How do we put more ordnance downrange further, cheaper, and faster?” If railguns follow the Whitehead Torpedo path, then to make the math easy, let’s say the Japanese perfect it in 2026. In 16 years (2040), a whole host of navies will deploy with them. 12 years after that (2052) other nations will be building even better versions. 48 years after that (2100), it will be used for the last time in combat, saving a nation’s leadership from capture at the start of a war where both sides used the most modern development, still technically buggy, to devastating effect. 85 years after that (2185), it will still be considered one of the most deadly and hardest to defeat of any weapons a navy, or space force, could use in combat. So…how is the US Navy planning to leverage what our friends in Japan are doing? Hopefully as well as the Royal Navy was with the Austro-Hungarian Navy in their torpedo development. NB: If you want to learn more about the last use of the Whitehead Torpedo as mentioned above, click here. 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

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has delivered another batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) as part of ongoing efforts to meet the State Defense Order, according to statements issued by UAC and Rostec. The aircraft, which have undergone full ground and flight factory testing, were formally accepted by VKS crews. “As […] The post New Su-34 fighter-bombers delivered to Russian military first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukraine’s defense innovation platform Brave1 has completed final testing of new long-range one-way attack drones, best known as kamikaze drones, capable of striking targets over 40 kilometers away, even in the presence of Russian electronic warfare systems. According to a statement from Brave1, the newly tested loitering munitions are engineered to be “cheap, scalable, and […] The post Ukraine set to field new kamikaze drones first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A global outage of the Starlink satellite internet system has disrupted frontline operations in Ukraine, with Ukrainian forces along the entire line of contact reporting a sudden loss of connectivity. The interruption, which has also affected tens of thousands of users worldwide, has raised fresh concerns over the risks of depending on a single commercial […] The post Starlink outage disrupts frontline ops in Ukraine first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russian analysts and pro-military commentators are openly criticizing the country’s latest Zapad 2025 military exercises, accusing the country’s Ministry of Defense of staging unrealistic maneuvers that ignore hard-learned lessons from the war in Ukraine. Influential Telegram channel Voenny Osvedomitel, known for its ties to military insiders and OSINT groups, condemned the exercises as out of […] The post Russian large-scale exercises draw skepticism from analysts first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Danish Armed Forces are moving forward with a large-scale initiative to build a national ground-based air defense (GBAD) network, the Ministry of Defence announced this week. The decision includes the procurement of eight integrated systems designed to protect civilians, military installations, and critical infrastructure from aerial threats. The new effort follows the March 2025 […] The post Denmark buys new air defense systems first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukrainian forces have successfully intercepted and destroyed a Russian Orion unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near the Russian border using a drone-based interceptor system, according to a report from Militarnyi. The Russian combat-reconnaissance drone was brought down by the “Topot” team from the 414th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Systems. In a statement, Militarnyi noted that this […] The post Ukrainian drone takes down Russian Orion first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

A T-90MS main battle tank that once stood on display at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) in the United Arab Emirates has now been deployed to the battlefield in Ukraine, according to a statement from the manufacturer. The tank, originally painted in desert camouflage for its appearance at IDEX 2025, was returned to Russia, repainted […] The post Russia sends exhibition T-90MS tank to frontline first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russia has conducted a simulated missile strike on Polish territory as part of its large-scale joint military exercise with Belarus, known as Zapad 2025. The drill scenario involved the use of Iskander ballistic missile systems deployed from the Kaliningrad region. According to the exercise script, Russian missile units moved to designated launch positions with the […] The post Russia simulates missile strike on Poland first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers from the 307th Bomb Wing, based at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, arrived in the United Kingdom on September 11, 2025, to take part in Cobra Warrior 2025, a multi-nation air combat exercise hosted by the Royal Air Force. The large-scale exercise, designated CW 25-2, is led by […] The post U.S. sends heavy bombers for NATO drill first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Alaskan Command and the Canadian Armed Forces completed a multi-day joint maritime operation in the Bering Sea earlier this month, showcasing the growing importance of bi-national coordination and air-sea integration in the defense of the Arctic region. From September 3 to 5, 2025, U.S. and Canadian forces carried out combined joint maritime operations under the […] The post U.S. and Canadian forces conduct Arctic strike exercise first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

NATO allies and European defense leaders are moving to reduce reliance on vulnerable global supply chains by prioritizing stockpiles, acquisition, and control of critical raw materials (CRMs) vital to modern military systems. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) has reported that these efforts reflect a growing recognition of how supply chain weaknesses can affect […] The post NATO focuses on rare earths for defense first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Pentagon’s research and technology arm is preparing to launch a new program that aims to fundamentally alter the role of human red blood cells through synthetic biology. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced the forthcoming Smart-Red Blood Cells (Smart-RBC) initiative in a special notice released by its Biological Technologies Office on September […] The post Pentagon develops ‘smart’ blood for battlefield use first appeared on Defence Blog.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

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is seeking industry feedback on a future mobile ground-based radar system intended to strengthen U.S. homeland defense against advanced missile threats. The request, issued as a formal Request for Information (RFI), calls for input on capabilities to support the development of a new radar system under the Mobile Land-Based […] The post Pentagon pursues new radar to track glide and cruise missiles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The U.S. Air Force has announced the arrival of a second B-21 Raider flight test aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base. According to a Department of the Air Force release on September 11, the new test asset will allow engineers and flight crews to move beyond initial flight performance checks and into more advanced phases […] The post U.S. Air Force adds second B-21 to accelerate testing first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The ADS Group, the United Kingdom’s trade association for aerospace, defense, security, and space, has formally opened its membership to Ukrainian defense companies for the first time. Calibre Defence reports that the announcement was made during DSEI 2025 in London and coincided with a Taskforce KINDRED-led briefing marking the “UK/Ukraine 100-Year Partnership.” Within 48 hours […] The post UK opens ADS Group to Ukrainian defense industry first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russia’s state defense conglomerate Rostec has delivered a new batch of BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles to the Russian Ministry of Defense, equipped with upgraded modular armor and electronic warfare systems. The announcement was made by the corporation’s industrial director for its weapons cluster, Bekhan Ozdoev, who also confirmed the handover of overhauled BMD-2 airborne vehicles […] The post Russian army receives upgraded fighting vehicles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine’s defense industry has significantly expanded its armored vehicle output, with one manufacturer confirming record deliveries to frontline units. On September 10, Vladislav Belbas, director of the company Ukrainian Armor, announced that his firm has supplied more than 1,000 Novator armored vehicles to Ukraine’s Defense Forces. […] The post Ukraine ramps up production of armored vehicles first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Poland has taken delivery of another shipment of American-made Abrams tanks. According to Defence24, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed the arrival of 52 armored vehicles purchased from the United States. The shipment includes 38 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks and 14 M88A2 HERCULES armored recovery vehicles. The latest […] The post Poland receives new batch of Abrams tanks first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Azerbaijan is moving to expand its long-range strike capabilities with interest in acquiring Slovakia’s AM-120 automated mortar system and the 155 mm EVA self-propelled artillery system, according to Baku-based policy analyst Fuad Shahbazov. “In 2024, Azerbaijan and Slovakia agreed to establish joint manufacturing facilities with investments,” Shahbazov said, noting that cooperation has advanced beyond purchases […] The post Azerbaijan looks to buy Slovak rapid-fire mortar first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Amid heightened tensions in Eastern Europe and the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus on September 12 launched their strategic exercise Zapad-2025. The drills, billed as a test of the Union State’s ability to “repel possible aggression,” are taking place across training grounds in both countries and extending into the Baltic and Barents Seas. […] The post Russia, Belarus begin large-scale drills near NATO first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

I just finished with Xenophon's Anabasis on audio. Wow ... just wow. Almost 2,400 years old and its lessons on leadership are timeless. There is really nothing new under the sun. This book is a perfect example of the critical importance of a classical education. We wouldn't have to learn the hard way if we realized the truth that has been there from the dawn of history ... not to mention the lessons of 20 years ago ... move the decimal place two spots over. Here is just one bit. Rely upon this then, all you who are here assembled, now is your great opportunity. The soldiers outside have their eyes fixed upon you; if they think that you are faint-hearted, they will turn cowards; but if you show them that you are making your own preparations to attack the enemy, and setting an example to the rest--follow you, be assured, they will: imitate you they will. May be, it is but right and fair that you should somewhat excel them, for you are generals, you are commanders of brigades or regiments; and if, while it was peace, you had the advantage in wealth and position, so now, when it is war, you are expected to rise superior to the common herd--to think for them, to toil for them, whenever there be need. "At this very moment you would confer a great boon on the army, if you made it your business to appoint generals and officers to fill the places of those that are lost. For without leaders nothing good or noble, to put it concisely, was ever wrought anywhere; and in military matters this is absolutely true; for if discipline is held to be of saving virtue, the want of it has been the ruin of many ere now. Well, then! when you have appointed all the commanders necessary, it would only be opportune, I take it, if you were to summon the rest of the soldiers and speak some words of encouragement. Even now, I daresay you noticed yourselves the crestfallen air with which they came into camp, the despondency with which they fell to picket duty, so that, unless there is a change for the better, I do not know for what service they will be fit; whether by night, if need were, or even by day. The thing is to get them to turn their thoughts to what they mean to do, instead of to what they are likely to suffer. Do that, and their spirits will soon revive wonderfully. You know, I need hardly remind you, it is not numbers or strength that gives victory in war; but, heaven helping them, to one or other of two combatants it is 42 given to dash with stouter hearts to meet the foe, and such onset, in nine cases out of ten, those others refuse to meet. This observation, also, I have laid to heart, that they, who in matters of war seek in all ways to save their lives, are just they who, as a rule, die dishonourably; whereas they who, recognising that death is the common lot and destiny of all men, strive hard to die nobly: these more frequently, as I observe, do after all attain to old age, or, at any rate, while life lasts, they spend their days more happily. This lesson let all lay to heart this day, for we are just at such a crisis of our fate. Now is the season to be brave ourselves, and to stimulate the rest by our example." The March of the 10,000, or if you wish - Anabasis: The March Up Country. Nothing but hardcore. If you don't know the story - buy the book or read it online here. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Share Leave a comment View the full article