Tag: us military
95 articles
US Air Defenses Face Munitions Stockpile Challenges
The US air defense systems have proven effective, but their success relies on a dwindling stockpile of crucial components like solid rocket motors, leaving the nation with fewer interceptors and limited options to defend against threats. A balanced approach, or "high-low mix," is urgently needed to address the pressing issue of munitions shortages.
Air Force Taps General Atomics, Anduril for CCA Drone Production
The US Air Force has taken a major leap forward in its drone program, selecting General Atomics and Anduril to produce the first batch of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones, a crucial step from prototyping to production. This $2.4 billion initiative is set to revolutionize military operations with cutting-edge drone technology.
USAF Faces Senate Scrutiny Over E-11 BACN Jet Retirement Plan
The US Air Force's plan to retire its fleet of seven E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) jets by 2028 has raised red flags with the Senate Armed Services Committee, which is demanding answers on how the capability gap will be filled. The committee wants a briefing by March 31, 2027, on the Air Force's plan to mitigate the operational risk of losing this critical communication capability.
Air Force Undermines A-10 Commitment
The Air Force's commitment to keeping the A-10 flying through 2030 is being undermined by its own budget, which allocates zero dollars for modernization and cuts depot maintenance, putting the fleet's future in jeopardy. This disconnect between promise and funding is slowing down rebuilding efforts, making them costlier and increasingly infeasible.
A-10 Warthogs Arrive in England Bearing Marks of Epic Fury Campaign
Eleven battle-hardened A-10 Warthogs, adorned with bold nose art and battle markings from their epic Fury campaign, have landed at RAF Lakenheath, bringing a burst of excitement to the airbase. The Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, fresh from their deployment in Jordan, made a striking arrival, showcasing their unique squadron markings.
China-linked JDY botnet targets US military networks with expanded reconnaissance.
The JDY botnet, linked to China, has more than doubled its malicious reach since January 2024, growing from 650 to over 1,500 compromised devices, with a significant focus on infiltrating US military networks and associated targets. This expanding reconnaissance capability poses a concerning threat to US cybersecurity.
US Navy Deploys Drone Boat in High-Stakes Rescue of Downed Apache Crew
In a daring rescue off the coast of Oman, a cutting-edge drone boat called the Saronic Corsair played a crucial role in saving the lives of two US Army aviators whose Apache helicopter had gone down. This 24-foot autonomous vessel, capable of reaching speeds of 35 knots, proved its worth in a high-stakes operation.
Lawmakers Press Navy to Accelerate Drone Boat Deployments
The House Armed Services Committee is pushing the Navy to speed up its drone boat deployments, driven by urgent demands from combat zones worldwide. The committee's draft defense policy bill requires the Navy to create a comprehensive plan for buying, maintaining, and operating small unmanned surface vessels.
Stealth Fighter Concept Resurfaces in Area 51 Mystery Aircraft Leak
A decades-old stealth fighter concept has resurfaced in discussions after a viral sighting near Area 51, sparking fresh interest in a mysterious aircraft that was once deemed too unstable for serious consideration. The unusual plane's distinctive double arrowhead design was caught on thermal footage near Groom Lake, leaving many to wonder about its true purpose.
US Missile Shortfalls Strain Indo-Pacific Deterrence
The US military's dwindling missile stockpile, depleted by a staggering 30% in recent operations against Iran, has sparked a pressing concern: can the Indo-Pacific region's defenses be maintained? A critical delay in delivering Tomahawk cruise missiles to Japan has exposed a capability gap, threatening the stability of the region.
US Military to Test High-Altitude Balloon Sensor System
The US military is on the verge of testing a game-changing sensor system, pairing tiny sensors with a high-altitude balloon to overcome the challenges of operating in the stratosphere. The innovative Project Wallabee will take flight in the coming days, marking a major milestone in advancing autonomous target recognition technology.
US Military Weighs Standalone Cyber Force by 2028
The US military is considering a game-changing move: creating a standalone Cyber Force by 2028, but its success hinges on a crucial decision from Congress or the White House this year. A recent report outlines a bold plan to overcome longstanding structural challenges in cyber operations and make this vision a reality.
US Air Force Designates New Bunker Buster Bomb GBU-76/B
The US Air Force has officially designated its new bunker-busting bomb as the GBU-76/B, and is now seeking industry partners to support its research, development, production, and delivery. The Next Generation Penetrator is set to revolutionize the Air Force's arsenal, and the Air Force is inviting vendors to demonstrate their capabilities in helping to bring it to life.
US Military Weighs MQ-1 Predator Drone Revival Amid MQ-9 Losses
The US military is considering reviving the MQ-1 Predator drone program as it faces losses with the MQ-9, sparking questions about the future of its unmanned aerial operations. This potential revival comes amid heightened tensions with Iran, where US forces have recently taken decisive action to protect regional waters.
Pentagon Urged to Counter Data Broker Threat to US Troops
Congress is sounding the alarm, warning the Pentagon that it's failing to protect US troops from a significant threat: data brokers who collect and sell personal info, including cell phone location data, for just pennies. This lax protection leaves servicemembers vulnerable to being tracked and targeted.
Army Hackathon Yields Quick Fixes for Troops in CENTCOM
In a major breakthrough, a recent Army hackathon at Fort Carson has yielded quick fixes that are already benefiting troops in CENTCOM, with several software patches successfully deployed. The event, dubbed Project Jailbreak, brought together top defense contractors to integrate proprietary systems and make them work seamlessly together.
US Military Wrestles with Autonomous Warfare Adoption
Gen. Frank Donovan urges the Pentagon to take a bold leap forward in embracing autonomous warfare, shifting focus from platforms to a revolutionary change in how warfare is organized. He sees autonomy as the future of combat, and is determined to make it a reality in the Western Hemisphere.
US Army Deploys Jailbroken Systems to Middle East in Interoperability Push
The US Army has kicked off Operation Jailbreak, a 30-day sprint to revolutionize how its systems communicate, by deploying jailbroken systems to the Middle East. This bold move aims to break down software barriers, enabling seamless data sharing between legacy and new equipment.
US Weapons Stockpiles Dwindle After Iran War
The US has burned through a third of its Tomahawk missile stockpile in the recent war with Iran, and at the current production rate of just 86 missiles per year, it'll take over three years to replenish what's been lost. This alarming depletion rate raises serious concerns about the country's military readiness.
US Army Expands Surveillance Balloon Network in Pacific
The US Army is ramping up its surveillance capabilities in the Pacific with a new network of high-altitude balloons, sensors, and datalinks, and is currently seeking proposals from suppliers to support this expansion. The project, led by the 921st Contracting Support Battalion, is still in the market research phase, with a potential full and open competition to follow.
Senator Urges Inspector General for Iran War Oversight
Senator Tammy Duckworth is calling for greater transparency in the US military operation against Iran, urging the Council of Inspectors General to appoint a lead inspector general to oversee the mission and ensure accountability for taxpayer dollars. She has set a deadline of June 5 for the appointment, emphasizing the importance of regular audits and investigations to promote transparency and good governance.
Space Force Targets Distributed Ops, EW Sites to Bolster Resilience
The Space Force is shifting its strategy to prioritize distributed operations and electronic warfare sites, driven by the harsh lessons learned from Operation Epic Fury, where US space capabilities were targeted and destroyed for the first time. This new reality demands a bold response to safeguard ground-based US space systems.
Army's Data-Merging Cell Works to Untangle Information Silos
Meet the Army's secret sauce to untangling information silos - the Data Merging Cell, a game-changing team that's slashing integration times from months to mere weeks. With the Army Data Operations Center pilot now live, this small but mighty cell is already making waves, tackling 68 tickets and counting.
Pentagon Taps Perennial Autonomy for $500M Counter-Drone Contract
The Pentagon has taken a major stand against the growing threat of drones, awarding a $500 million contract to Perennial Autonomy for cutting-edge, AI-powered counter-drone systems. This game-changing deal is part of the US military's broader Drone Dominance initiative to stay ahead of the curve in modern warfare.