U.S 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Marine Corps has released photographs showing Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) operating a Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System (LMADIS) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The photographs were taken between September 2 and September 6, 2026, at an undisclosed location in the region. The images, credited to Lance Cpl. Nicole Stuart, show Marines driving the system and setting up its equipment. They were released publicly through Defense Visual Information Distribution System channels in mid-September.   Mobile Counter-Drone System LMADIS is a mobile counter-unmanned aircraft system designed to detect, track, identify and defeat small unmanned aircraft. The system is built around two Polaris MRZR all-terrain vehicles. One vehicle serves as the command-and-control platform, while the second carries the electronic-warfare equipment. LMADIS uses radar and cameras/sensors to detect small unmanned aerial vehicles. Once a drone is identified, its electronic-warfare system can transmit radio-frequency signals to disrupt the communication link between the drone and its operator.   Designed for Marine Expeditionary Units The lightweight configuration allows LMADIS to support the expeditionary operations of Marine units. Its compact design enables the system to be transported and operated from Marine Expeditionary Unit ships and flight decks, as well as ashore. The heavier version of the broader Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) is mounted on Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) and is intended for larger formations. LMADIS provides a lighter configuration for MEU operations.   Previous Operational Use The LMADIS family gained operational attention in July 2019, when Marines from the 11th MEU, operating aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, used the system against an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz. The drone approached to approximately 900 meters (1,000 yards) from the ship. Marines used electronic jamming to disrupt the drone's control link and bring it down. The 11th MEU is again operating with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group during its current deployment, which began when the unit left the San Diego area in March 2026. The MEU consists of roughly 2,500 Marines.   Growing Counter-Drone Requirement The latest deployment highlights the continued focus on counter-drone capabilities within Marine Expeditionary Unit operations. Marine units have noted that operating and training with counter-drone systems now accounts for a significant portion of their preparation. The September photographs provide a recent view of the 11th MEU operating LMADIS in the CENTCOM area, giving the unit a mobile capability to detect and counter small drones while operating both ashore and from naval platforms.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-21 13:59:58

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army has awarded Skyeton, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Ukrainian drone manufacturer Skyeton, a $10.64 million firm-fixed-price contract to provide Raybird unmanned aerial systems hardware and related services. The Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, issued the contract following an online solicitation. Skyeton, based in North Las Vegas, Nevada, was the only company to submit a bid. The contract is expected to be completed by December 15, 2026. The number of systems to be delivered was not disclosed, while work locations and funding will be determined with each order.   Raybird UAS The Raybird, also known as ACS-3, is a fixed-wing tactical unmanned aircraft designed mainly for long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and target-acquisition missions. Ukrainian armed forces have operated the Raybird since 2018, and Skyeton reports that the platform has accumulated more than 350,000 combat flight hours. The internal-combustion-engine version has a flight endurance of more than 28 hours, a maximum range of more than 2,500 kilometers, an operating ceiling of up to 5,500 meters and a communications range of more than 220 kilometers, or unlimited range when using satellite communications. The aircraft uses a four-stroke, fuel-injected gasoline engine, can operate from -35°C to +55°C, and can be deployed in up to 25 minutes. It supports interchangeable payloads including multisensor EO/IR stabilized gimbals, synthetic-aperture radar and radio-frequency intelligence systems. Satellite communications were integrated into the platform in early 2026 to support longer-range data links. Skyeton has also tested a hydrogen-powered hybrid variant under combat conditions in Ukraine.   U.S. Production Expansion The Army contract comes as Skyeton expands its U.S. manufacturing presence. In July 2026, the company announced an investment of more than $3.1 million to establish its first U.S. production plant in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Skyeton is converting a 28,500-square-foot former Black+Decker facility near Fayetteville Regional Airport. The facility is expected to create 162 jobs, with an average annual salary of $70,759. The project received a $500,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund, while the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County are providing about $243,000 in combined job-creation incentives. Skyeton CEO Rigoberto “Quito” Sáez said the facility is intended to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and create American jobs while bringing production closer to end users.   International Operations Skyeton opened a production facility in Slovakia in July 2024. In July 2025, the company and British defense firm Prevail Partners established a joint venture, Skyeton Prevail Solutions, to manufacture and integrate Raybird systems for the UK and NATO markets. The $10.64 million contract represents a significant U.S. procurement of the Raybird platform as Skyeton expands its production and support operations in the United States and other international markets.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-20 16:59:53

 U.S 

CAIRO — The United States has delivered the first new Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter to Egypt, beginning deliveries under a contract for 12 aircraft for the Egyptian Air Force. The U.S. Embassy in Cairo announced the delivery on September 17, describing it as another development in the expanding commercial and defense partnership between the United States and Egypt. The embassy congratulated Boeing, the U.S. Army and the Egyptian Ministry of Defense on the delivery. “Congratulations to Boeing, the U.S. Army and the Egyptian Ministry of Defense on the delivery of the new CH-47F Chinook helicopter—another concrete example of the expanding commercial and defense partnership between the United States and Egypt,” the embassy said. The first helicopter was publicly presented to the Egyptian Air Force during the El Alamein International Airshow, held from September 8 to 10, 2026, at El Alamein International Airport on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. The U.S. Embassy did not provide details on the delivery schedule for the remaining aircraft or specific operational plans for the new helicopter.   $426 million contract for 12 helicopters The current acquisition comes from a $426 million Foreign Military Sales contract awarded to Boeing by the U.S. Army in January 2023 to produce 12 new CH-47F Chinooks for Egypt. Boeing said at the time that deliveries were expected to begin in 2026 and that the aircraft would replace Egypt’s existing CH-47D fleet. The contract followed a May 2022 U.S. approval of a potential larger sale of 23 CH-47F helicopters and related equipment to Egypt. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency estimated the value of that possible package at $2.6 billion. The proposed package included engines, navigation systems, missile-warning equipment, machine guns, aircraft survivability equipment, training, spare parts and other support. The signed 2023 contract, however, covers 12 aircraft.   Modernization of Egypt's Chinook fleet The CH-47F is the modern production version of Boeing's twin-rotor Chinook heavy-lift helicopter. It is designed for missions involving the transportation of troops, equipment and heavy cargo. Boeing says the CH-47F incorporates a fully integrated digital cockpit management system, the Common Avionics Architecture System and advanced cargo-handling capabilities. Egypt has operated Chinook helicopters for decades. Its existing fleet includes CH-47D aircraft, which are being replaced by the newer F-model under the current procurement. Boeing says Egypt currently operates 18 CH-47D Chinooks supporting its armed forces and disaster-relief efforts. The arrival of the first CH-47F therefore marks the beginning of Egypt's transition to the newer Chinook model. Once the remaining aircraft under the 12-helicopter contract are delivered, Egypt will have an expanded fleet of newer heavy-lift helicopters for missions including troop and cargo transport, humanitarian relief and emergency operations. The delivery also continues a long-standing Boeing-Egypt defense relationship. Boeing said the CH-47F contract continues more than four decades of cooperation with the Egyptian Air Force.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-20 16:38:39

 U.S 

WASHINGTON —  The U.S. Space Force is seeking industry designs for highly maneuverable satellites that can be rapidly launched and used to approach, inspect and interact with objects in orbit. Space Systems Command (SSC) issued a Request for Information (RFI) on September 18 under the VICTUS program, which focuses on rapidly deploying satellites into orbit. The current effort is for market research and does not establish a budget or guarantee a follow-on contract. The Space Force is targeting the first satellites for launch in fiscal year 2029, subject to a broader acquisition strategy.   Rapid-launch capability Under the baseline requirement, a mission-ready satellite would remain in storage at a contractor facility for up to two years and launch within 14 days of receiving a call-up order. The Space Force is also examining faster response options, including 36-hour and 12-hour launch windows for more demanding scenarios. These are currently stretch goals rather than firm requirements.   Close-range orbital operations Once deployed, the spacecraft would need to approach a target to zero meters of separation for inspection or interaction. Potential targets include orbital debris and cooperative satellites. After completing an operation, the spacecraft must be able to move to another orbit and repeat the process. It would need enough fuel for more than a dozen major maneuvers across low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and highly elliptical transfer paths toward geostationary orbit.   Open architecture The Space Force wants the spacecraft to support sensors and payloads from different suppliers rather than being tied to one company's hardware. The RFI identifies Handle 2.0 as the open architecture standard for this purpose. The framework builds on earlier work by The Aerospace Corporation and is being matured under a contract awarded to Falcon ExoDynamics.   RFI follows space-control weapons disclosure The RFI was issued three days after Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference on September 15 that the United States has "on-orbit space-control weapons" capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversaries. Meink did not provide details about the weapons' design, number or launch dates. The September 18 RFI does not establish a connection between those weapons and the proposed rendezvous satellite program. Meink also said a prototype satellite designed to track moving targets was scheduled to launch in September and that space-based interceptors associated with the Golden Dome missile-defense effort were flight-ready.   Builds on VICTUS HAZE The new effort follows the earlier VICTUS HAZE demonstration, which involved Rocket Lab's Puma satellite and True Anomaly's Jackal spacecraft. Rocket Lab launched its spacecraft after receiving about 17 hours' notice. The spacecraft then conducted rendezvous and proximity operations, including approaching and imaging the target. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory provided an optical payload for tracking and imaging.   Industry requirements Companies responding to the RFI do not need to submit formal proposals. SSC is seeking information about their security clearances, manufacturing facilities and flight heritage. Companies must demonstrate that they have had at least two satellites operating in LEO or one satellite operating in geostationary orbit since January 2021, with the required experience deadline extending to January 2027. Responses are due October 19 and must be limited to either a 15-page white paper or a 20-slide presentation. Submissions must also include a rough cost estimate covering engineering, hardware, software, testing and support. The Space Force said incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. The RFI is for market research only and does not represent a commitment to award a contract. Main Source : defence-blog

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-20 16:32:42

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — The United States seized the domain almasirah.net, a news website operated by Yemen’s Houthi movement, in June 2021 as part of a wider U.S. law enforcement action against Iran-linked media and other websites. At the time, visitors to the domain were shown a federal seizure notice stating that the website had been seized by the U.S. government under a seizure warrant. The notice said the action was carried out by the Bureau of Industry and Security’s Office of Export Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Reuters also reported the seizure and identified Al-Masirah among the Houthi-linked websites affected. Al-Masirah, also known as Al-Masirah TV, is a media network affiliated with the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah. Its website regularly carried reports on Houthi military activities, damage to people and property from attacks, the group's conflict with Saudi Arabia, and its positions on U.S. and Israeli military actions involving Iran. The seizure was part of a broader U.S. action announced by the Justice Department on June 22, 2021. The department said it had seized 33 websites used by the Iranian Islamic Radio and Television Union (IRTVU) and three websites operated by Kata’ib Hizballah, saying the domains were being operated in violation of U.S. sanctions. The Justice Department said the seizures were carried out pursuant to court orders. According to the Justice Department, IRTVU had been designated by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in October 2020. The department said the 33 IRTVU domains were owned by a U.S. company and that the organization had not obtained an OFAC license before using the domains. The investigation involved the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, its Office of Export Enforcement and the FBI. Reuters reported that several of the affected websites returned online through alternative domain names after the seizures. In the case of Al-Masirah, the network began using almasirah.com after the seizure of the .net domain. The 2021 operation also affected other Iran-linked media websites, including Press TV and Al-Alam. The U.S. Justice Department's official announcement, however, specifically described the 36 domains as those used by IRTVU and Kata’ib Hizballah; it did not list Almasirah.net individually in the release. Reuters separately reported the seizure notice displayed on the Al-Masirah domain. Al-Masirah's online presence continued through other domains and platforms after the seizure. Recent online material associated with the network also shows activity through other addresses, including masirahtv.net and almasirah.net.ye. The Almasirah.net seizure therefore dates to June 2021, rather than being a newly announced U.S. government action in September 2026. No new U.S. Justice Department announcement confirming a separate 2026 seizure of the same domain was found in the official records reviewed for this report.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-20 12:06:38

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced on September 18 that the United States has reached a new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland that would give Washington permanent control over Greenland’s security and allow a larger U.S. military presence on the Arctic island. The agreement does not transfer sovereignty over Greenland to the United States. Greenland remains a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the planned agreement recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination. The full text of the agreement has not yet been publicly released. Denmark and Greenland said the three governments are expected to sign it during the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, after which it will require the necessary parliamentary procedures before entering into force.   What the United States would gain According to Trump’s announcement and reporting on the agreement, the United States would gain a much stronger and more permanent security position in Greenland. The reported provisions include: Permanent U.S. security authority: Trump said Washington would have permanent control over Greenland’s security and “all other needs” related to it. Expanded military presence: Trump said the United States would immediately begin developing a larger military presence in appropriate parts of Greenland. Military access: The arrangement is intended to secure long-term U.S. military access, including basing and overflight rights. Additional installations: U.S. officials have indicated that the United States would be able to establish additional military facilities without Denmark or Greenland having the same approval authority over those installations, although the exact legal provisions remain unpublished. Exclusion of adversaries: Trump said U.S. adversaries would not be allowed to establish bases, maintain military forces or make sensitive investments in Greenland without U.S. approval. Protection of strategic infrastructure: The reported restrictions cover sensitive areas such as telecommunications, undersea cables, ports and critical infrastructure. Long-term continuity: Trump described the agreement as having no end date and said it would remain applicable even if Greenland eventually became independent. The United States already operates Pituffik Space Base in northern Greenland under the existing U.S.-Denmark defense relationship. The new arrangement would expand and make the American security role more permanent. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the agreement as permanently securing U.S. interests in the Arctic and said Greenland would remain part of the strategic defense area of North America.   Does the United States control Greenland? No, not in the sense of owning or governing Greenland. The agreement announced so far does not give the United States sovereignty over Greenland. Denmark retains sovereignty, while Greenland retains its existing self-government arrangements and its people’s right to self-determination. Denmark's prime minister specifically emphasized these points. However, the announced arrangement would give Washington an unusually extensive role in Greenland's security and military affairs. That distinction is important: territorial sovereignty and security control are not the same thing. The United States would not become Greenland's government or acquire ownership of the territory under the terms publicly described so far. The exact limits of U.S. authority cannot yet be established because the complete agreement has not been released.   Who would control Greenland's minerals? The agreement does not currently establish that the United States will own Greenland's underground minerals. Greenland has significant mineral resources and has previously highlighted the importance of its critical minerals, but the publicly available descriptions of the new security agreement focus on preventing adversarial countries from making sensitive investments. They do not establish U.S. ownership of Greenland's mineral deposits. Therefore, it would be incorrect to say that the United States has acquired Greenland's rare-earth minerals or received ownership of the resources beneath the island. The agreement reportedly gives Washington a role in preventing certain adversaries from making sensitive investments in critical sectors, but who owns, develops and receives revenue from individual mineral projects will depend on Greenlandic and Danish law and the eventual investment arrangements. The final treaty text is needed to determine whether it contains additional provisions.   What does Denmark give up? Denmark does not give up sovereignty over Greenland under the publicly announced framework. However, Denmark and Greenland would accept a substantially expanded U.S. security role. The reported arrangement would reduce their ability to prevent or block certain U.S. military activities and would place restrictions on potentially sensitive investments by countries regarded as U.S. adversaries. At the same time, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement strengthens security in the Arctic and North Atlantic while recognizing Danish sovereignty and Greenlandic self-determination.   What did Trump say? Trump used particularly strong language when announcing the agreement. He said the United States would “FOREVER” have the ability to do what is necessary to secure and defend Greenland and the United States. He also said no U.S. adversary could “EVER” establish a base, maintain a military presence or make sensitive investments in Greenland without U.S. approval. Trump called the arrangement an “Infinite Life” Agreement, saying that it has no end. He also said there would be “NO COST” to the United States and announced plans to develop a large U.S. military presence on the island. Trump also said the agreement finally addressed what he described as longstanding U.S. concerns about Greenland's strategic importance.   Is this similar to U.S. control of Venezuela? The publicly announced Greenland agreement is not the same type of arrangement as taking political control of another country. There is no announced transfer of Greenland's sovereignty to Washington, and the Danish government continues to describe the arrangement as recognizing the Kingdom of Denmark's sovereignty and Greenland's right to self-determination. The significance of the agreement is instead the extent of the proposed U.S. security and military role. If the final treaty contains the powers described by the Trump administration, Washington would have a permanent security role and substantial military access while Denmark retains sovereignty. Because the treaty's complete text has not yet been released or ratified, the precise legal limits of U.S. authority remain uncertain.   Existing U.S. presence The new agreement builds on a defense relationship that already allows the United States to operate in Greenland. The most important existing American facility is Pituffik Space Base in northern Greenland. A 1951 defense agreement, subsequently updated, already provides Washington with extensive military rights on the island. The new agreement would therefore represent an expansion and permanentization of the U.S. security role rather than the beginning of an American military presence from zero. The three governments are expected to sign the agreement during the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York. It will then face the required parliamentary procedures in Denmark and Greenland before it can enter into force.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-19 16:33:43

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military’s involvement in the conflict with Iran has cost approximately $43.6 billion through September 3, 2026, according to a new estimate from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) provided to congressional national security committees. The conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran. The latest CENTCOM estimate is higher than the $38 billion cost estimated by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) through August 1.   Munitions Account for Most of the Cost CENTCOM estimates that $28.1 billion of the total has been spent replacing bombs, missiles and other munitions used during the conflict. A significant portion has gone toward air-defense interceptors fired by the Army’s Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems. The munitions bill increased by more than $6 billion in roughly one month from the CBO’s earlier estimate of $21.7 billion through August 1. The heavy use of interceptors has put pressure on U.S. and allied stockpiles. U.S. and NATO officials have reported severe shortages in Europe, while Saudi Arabia has also been facing reduced interceptor inventories.   Operational and Equipment Costs The CENTCOM estimate includes about $11.2 billion in incremental operational costs and $4.3 billion to replace damaged or destroyed equipment, including combat aircraft and other military equipment. By service, the Air Force has incurred about $6.6 billion, mainly for fighter and bomber operations, airlift, transportation and base support. The Navy has spent about $2.2 billion on operations involving aircraft carriers and more than 20 warships. The Army has incurred about $1.6 billion for operational readiness and deployed personnel. More than 50,000 U.S. troops have been assigned to the mission in the region, according to CENTCOM.   Base Damage Not Included The $43.6 billion figure does not include the cost of repairing or rebuilding U.S. military facilities damaged or destroyed by Iranian missile and drone attacks. Facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan have been affected. When additional logistical expenses such as fuel are included, some updated Defense Department estimates put the overall financial burden at approximately $45.1 billion.   CBO Projects Further Costs The CBO previously estimated that the conflict would cost about $2 billion to $3 billion per month, depending on the intensity of fighting. It also said rebuilding depleted U.S. munitions stockpiles could take at least five years. Earlier estimates were lower. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress in July that the cost was about $37.5 billion, while a Pentagon inspector general assessment covering an earlier period put the figure at $33.4 billion, excluding base-repair costs. Independent analyses earlier in the year had estimated the total cost at roughly $34 billion to $42 billion, depending on which additional expenses were included.   U.S. Casualties and Stockpile Pressure The financial cost has been accompanied by military casualties. Public Defense Casualty Analysis System figures list 18 U.S. service members killed and more than 830 wounded since the conflict began. The fighting has also drawn munitions from U.S. stockpiles intended for other regions, including Europe and the Indo-Pacific, adding to the need for replenishment. The latest CENTCOM estimate was provided to Congress amid discussions over additional funding for military operations and the replacement of weapons used during the conflict.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-19 15:22:54

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $2.68 billion Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Ukraine for air defense upgrades, equipment and support services. The congressional notification was issued on September 18, 2026. The package includes S-300 Clone missiles, GAM-67 missiles, Range-Extended Air Defense Laser Guided Rocket missile systems, Improvised Transporter Erector Launcher 1.5 (I-TEL 1.5) systems, mobile launching system modification kits, RPS-202 counter-Unmanned Aircraft System radars and erectable mast trailers. It also covers major modifications and maintenance support, spare parts, consumables, accessories, repair and return support, software, publications, transportation, and U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support. The State Department classified the items as non-major defense equipment. Principal contractors will be selected through competitive U.S. government procurements, and the proposed sale remains subject to standard congressional review.   Funding for the Package If concluded, Ukraine will finance the purchase through a combination of European contributions and U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) funds appropriated during the previous administration. The FMF funds used for the purchase will be counted as a U.S. capital contribution to the Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund on a 1:1 reimbursement basis. The fund was established under the U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement. The State Department said the sale supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening Ukraine's ability to address current and future threats. It also assessed that Ukraine can absorb the equipment and services into its armed forces. The sale would not require additional U.S. personnel in Ukraine, affect U.S. defense readiness or alter the basic military balance in the region.   S-300 Clone Missile Development Public information about the S-300 Clone missile remains limited. Defense Express reported that it is a new missile intended for use with S-300 systems already operated by Ukraine. It is reportedly not a direct copy of the Soviet 5V55 missile, but a new design with improved performance and a more modern guidance system. The GAM-67 has also been described as a new development intended for medium-range air defense systems, including some Soviet-designed platforms. Work on replacements for Soviet-era weapons dates back to September 2024, when then-U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the United States, together with several European defense companies, was working with Ukraine to develop and manufacture replacements for the S-300 surface-to-air missile system and R-27 air-to-air missile. In August 2026, retired U.S. Army Colonel Robert Hamilton, president of the Delphi Global Research Center, said a joint U.S.-Ukrainian effort was underway to upgrade existing S-300 interceptor missiles or develop a newer variant with improved capabilities. He said the project was expected to become operational near the end of 2026, with potential production of 100 to a couple of hundred missiles per year.   Replacing Depleted Soviet-Era Missiles Before Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine had approximately 25 to 30 S-300PT/PS battalions in varying states of operational readiness. Depending on the variant and missile, these systems were designed to engage aircraft and cruise missiles at altitudes from about 25 meters to 27 kilometers and ranges of up to roughly 100 kilometers. Ukraine has since lost some launchers and radars in combat, while stocks of compatible Soviet-era missiles have been depleted. On April 8, 2022, then-Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger announced that Slovakia had provided Ukraine with an S-300PMU system that had been in Slovak service. Other partners, including Norway, have also allocated funds to help Ukraine obtain compatible missiles from third countries, but shortages have continued. The newly approved package is intended to address these gaps by providing new or upgraded missiles and equipment that can support Ukraine's existing S-300-based air defense infrastructure.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-19 14:26:58

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — The United States has warned Japan, Germany and other allies that deliveries of some key missile and air-defense systems could face delays of up to five years as Washington works to rebuild its depleted munitions stockpiles, according to a Bloomberg report published September 18. The delays are linked to heavy U.S. weapons use during the ongoing war with Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, in operations involving the United States and Israel.   U.S. Missile Stocks Under Pressure U.S. estimates indicate that the military has used more than half of some advanced Patriot missile variants, about one-third of its Tomahawk missiles, and nearly half of its precision-strike missiles and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors during the conflict. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the United States may have used as much as two-thirds of its missile-defense interceptor inventory since June 2025. A recent Pentagon inspector general report also identified strategic inventory shortfalls and production bottlenecks caused by the high rate of munitions use. U.S. officials are working to stockpile critical components, increase production and reduce manufacturing lead times.   Japan and Germany Face Delivery Delays Japan is among the allies affected by the shortages. In April, Washington informed Tokyo that deliveries of about 400 Tomahawk missiles, originally scheduled through March 2028, could face delays of up to two years. Germany has requested faster deliveries of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles and the ground-based Typhon launcher system. However, officials familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that Raytheon, an RTX company, is unlikely to fulfill Germany's Tomahawk order within the next five years because of depleted U.S. stocks. Some Eastern European countries have also experienced delays in deliveries of U.S.-made weapons systems.   Ukraine's Patriot Requirements The shortages are also affecting Ukraine, which is seeking additional Patriot interceptors ahead of the winter. The Pentagon's need to replenish U.S. inventories is making rapid deliveries more difficult. European leaders are expected to press the U.S. administration for additional Patriot support for Ukraine during United Nations meetings in New York next week. U.S. President Donald Trump has previously discussed providing Ukraine with a less advanced version of the Patriot system or allowing European countries to manufacture the weapons under license.   U.S. Industry Expands Production The U.S. defense industry is increasing production to rebuild inventories. Lockheed Martin plans to increase annual production capacity for PAC-3 MSE Patriot interceptors from about 600 to 2,000 units. RTX is also increasing Tomahawk production. However, the timing of deliveries to allies will depend on production capacity, existing orders and the Pentagon's priorities for rebuilding U.S. stockpiles.   Saudi Arabia Seeks Additional Support Saudi Arabia has also asked allies, including the United States, for additional military support to counter Houthi attacks in Yemen. Washington has not confirmed whether it will provide additional assistance. Despite the shortages, the United States continues to supply Ukraine with weapons purchased by European allies through NATO and European Union mechanisms. The combination of heavy wartime weapons use, depleted inventories and limited production capacity is creating longer delivery timelines for several U.S.-made missile and air-defense systems.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-19 14:08:36

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin Space a $76.56 million contract modification for continued design and development of the Trident II D5 Life Extension 2 (D5LE2) program. The $76,562,774 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification, designated P00032 under existing contract N0003024C0100, was announced on September 18, 2026. The work is being managed by the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) and is scheduled to continue through September 30, 2030. Lockheed Martin’s Titusville, Florida, facility is the primary contractor. About 51 percent of the work will be performed in Denver, Colorado, with additional work in Elkton, Maryland (9 percent), Montville, New Jersey (7 percent), Greeneville, Tennessee (6 percent), and Cape Canaveral, Florida (5 percent). The remaining work will be carried out at locations including Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Sunnyvale, California; Titusville, Florida; Mason, Ohio; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Kings Bay, Georgia; Louisville, Kentucky, and other sites. The Navy is obligating the full $76.56 million from fiscal year 2026 weapons procurement funds. The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis under 10 U.S. Code 2304(a)(1), with Lockheed Martin being the only company to submit a proposal. SSP in Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.   D5LE2 to Support Future Submarines The Trident II D5 is the submarine-launched ballistic missile component of the U.S. nuclear triad. It entered service in 1990, while its first major life-extension program, D5LE, was completed in 2017. The D5LE2 program is intended to address aging components and keep the missile system viable through approximately 2084. The existing missile weighs about 130,000 pounds (59,000 kg), has a range of roughly 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km) and reaches speeds reported to exceed Mach 20. It can carry different payload configurations, including W76 and W88 nuclear warheads. The missile currently operates aboard U.S. Ohio-class and UK Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines. The D5LE2 is being developed for the replacement Columbia-class submarines of the U.S. Navy and the future Dreadnought-class submarines of the Royal Navy, making it a joint U.S.-UK modernization effort under the Polaris Sales Agreement.   Earlier Contracts and Infrastructure The latest award follows a $383 million modification in January 2025 to begin D5LE2 design and development, followed by an $850 million modification announced in April 2026. Additional smaller contract modifications have also supported the program. Lockheed Martin is constructing an approximately 225,000-square-foot production facility in Titusville, which is expected to open in 2027. The Navy is also building a 130,000-square-foot Engineering Test Facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Groundbreaking took place in February 2026, with completion scheduled for January 2028. The approximately $166 million project was awarded to Walsh Federal and will support prototyping, testing and development of support equipment and flight hardware. Meanwhile, the Navy continues testing the existing Trident II D5LE system. Between September 17 and 21, 2025, four unarmed D5LE test flights were conducted from an Ohio-class submarine off Florida. The tests brought the total number of successful Trident II D5 flight tests to 197. Navy officials described the launches as scheduled tests that confirmed the continued reliability of the existing sea-based deterrent while D5LE2 development continues.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-19 13:44:05

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is investigating the disappearance of sensitive F-35 Lightning II components after a shipment traveling from Australia to the United States for repairs was diverted to Hong Kong this summer. The incident was first reported by POLITICO on September 18. The shipment was being transported by a commercial intermediary on behalf of Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the F-35 and manages its global spare-parts pool. The Pentagon has confirmed that some of the components are missing, while the reason for the diversion and the current location of the equipment remain unclear. There is currently no public evidence that China obtained or inspected the missing parts.   F-35 Canopy Among Missing Components One of the components was an F-35 cockpit canopy, according to people familiar with the shipment. The canopy includes a thin transparent radar-absorbent layer that contributes to the aircraft's low-observable characteristics. Australia operates F-35s but does not currently have the capability to repair these canopies. As a result, unserviceable canopies are sent to the United States for repair through the F-35 program's multinational logistics network. The program uses commercial shipping providers to transport components between participating countries. Spare parts are held in a shared global pool owned by the U.S. Defense Department until they are installed on aircraft.   Pentagon and Lockheed Martin Response The F-35 Joint Program Office said it is “aware of a shipment issue of unserviceable F-35 Lightning II components.” It said officials are working with U.S. authorities and industry partners to recover the equipment, investigate the incident and establish safeguards against similar problems. Lockheed Martin declined to discuss the specific shipment for security reasons. The company said it follows U.S. regulations for shipping aircraft components and maintains safeguards to protect the F-35 program and allied partners. The incident has also led to closed-door congressional briefings. Pentagon and State Department officials briefed congressional national-security staff beginning in June, with additional briefings expected.   Earlier F-35 Spare-Parts Concerns The case has renewed attention on F-35 spare-parts accountability. A 2023 Government Accountability Office report found that more than 1 million F-35 spare parts, valued at more than $85 million, had been reported missing or lost over a five-year period. The GAO also found that the F-35 Joint Program Office did not independently track many of these parts, with contractors maintaining the records. Those earlier losses have not been linked to the Hong Kong incident.   F-35 Costs The incident comes amid continued attention to F-35 program costs. Average flyaway prices for the latest production lots are approximately $92 million for the F-35A, $121.4 million for the F-35B and $110.8 million for the F-35C, according to F-35 Joint Program Office figures. Investigators are now seeking to establish why the shipment was diverted, who handled the components after they reached Hong Kong, where the missing parts are located and whether any sensitive technology was compromised. The F-35 Joint Program Office continues its recovery and investigation efforts.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-19 13:34:26

 U.S 

YUMA, Ariz. — U.S. counter-drone startup Perseus Defense has tested its low-cost Mk-III interceptor, also known as the Harpe, during the Falcon Peak 26.2 homeland-defense experiment at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The live-fire demonstration took place at Cibola Range Site 17 and involved U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), and Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401).   Low-cost kinetic interceptor The Harpe is designed as a hit-to-kill kinetic interceptor that physically strikes small drones instead of relying on electronic jamming or spoofing. Perseus said the Mk-III costs approximately $2,500 to manufacture. The company is targeting a cost per engagement well below the $100,000-plus cost of some existing kinetic interceptors. The interceptor is approximately 61 centimeters (24 inches) long and has a stated 2-kilometer engagement range. It is designed to engage Group 1 and Group 2 small unmanned aircraft systems. The missile is launched from an eight-shot portable launcher weighing less than 36 kilograms (about 79–80 pounds). The launcher can receive external target-track data, allowing it to operate separately from the radar or sensor providing the track.   Designed for difficult-to-jam drones The kinetic approach is intended to address drones that can be difficult to defeat through electronic warfare. Perseus specifically points to drones using fiber-optic links or preprogrammed waypoints, which do not depend on radio signals that can be jammed. During the Yuma demonstration, Perseus operated the launcher with what it described as Lattice-level integration, referring to Anduril Industries’ Lattice command-and-control software. The company previously demonstrated this capability during Operation Jailbreak at Fort Carson.   Falcon Peak 26.2 Falcon Peak 26.2 is the fourth event in the Falcon Peak series and the first to be held at Yuma Proving Ground. The experiment runs from August 31 through September 25, 2026, following earlier events at locations including Eglin Air Force Base. The exercise brings together 21 defense industry participants and covers technologies for sensing, detection and tracking, artificial intelligence, command and control, semi-autonomous systems, airborne platforms and low-collateral defeat. The current iteration is also examining counter-small-UAS challenges relevant to the Southern Border. Military officials are evaluating systems based on factors including mobility, cost per shot, magazine depth and low-collateral defeat options for use around U.S. installations and populated areas.   Growing focus on domestic counter-drone defense The U.S. military's focus on affordable counter-drone capabilities increased following a series of unauthorized drone sightings over U.S. installations. In December 2023, dozens of unidentified drones flew over Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, prompting the temporary relocation of F-22 fighter aircraft. Similar sightings were reported at other installations during 2024 and 2025. The Department of War established JIATF-401 in 2025 to accelerate counter-drone capabilities for U.S. forces and domestic installations.   Perseus Defense Perseus Defense was founded in 2025 by Jason Cornelius and Steve Messinger, who studied aerospace engineering together at Penn State University. The company participated in Y Combinator's 2025 batch and has raised approximately $6.5 million in seed funding. The company is based in the Austin, Texas, area, with headquarters in Buda. Cornelius has experience with NASA programs, including work related to the Titan Dragonfly helicopter concept. Perseus previously demonstrated the Harpe during the 1st Cavalry Division's Golden Shield exercise at Fort Hood in April 2026, where it achieved radar-cued launches and fully active-guidance intercepts. The Yuma test forms part of the broader U.S. effort to evaluate lower-cost kinetic options for defending installations and border areas against small drones. Source : defence-blog

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-18 14:54:16

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has added $16.4 million to an existing contract with Castelion Corp. for continued development of the company’s Blackbeard low-cost, mass-producible long-range strike weapon. The modification increases the value of the specific agreement from $20.9 million to $37.2 million. The work is funded through fiscal 2025 research allocations and will be conducted at Castelion’s headquarters in Torrance, California, through June 30, 2028. AFRL at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base manages the contract.   Blackbeard Hypersonic Weapon Blackbeard is designed to fly at speeds above Mach 5 while maneuvering within the atmosphere. Castelion is developing two configurations: an air-launched version for tactical aircraft and a ground-launched version compatible with the U.S. Army’s M142 HIMARS launcher. Castelion was founded in 2022 by three former SpaceX engineers and has designed Blackbeard around manufacturing methods intended to support industrial-scale production rather than small production runs.   Navy Advances Blackbeard Program The U.S. Army and Navy were among the first military services to support the weapon, issuing integration awards in October 2025. In February 2026, the Navy selected Blackbeard as its first candidate under the Multi-mission Affordable Capacity Effector (MACE) program, which seeks to field larger numbers of affordable, long-range strike weapons. The Navy then awarded Castelion a $105 million contract in April 2026 to integrate Blackbeard with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and support live-fire testing in the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility. In June 2026, the Navy placed a $23.4 million order for 50 early operational capability pre-production prototypes and 50 storage and shipping containers. In August 2026, it added nearly $90 million to advance Blackbeard toward early operational capability and a formal Program of Record, including design changes intended to support future sales to allied nations. On September 14, 2026, the Navy placed a production delivery order valued at up to $200 million for an initial lot of Blackbeard weapons. The order covers the manufacture, assembly, testing and delivery of fully functional tactical missiles, moving the weapon from prototype development into initial production. An initial obligation of about $43.65 million was funded through Navy weapons procurement accounts, with deliveries scheduled through September 2028.   Production Expansion Congress increased MACE funding by more than $140 million in the fiscal 2026 defense appropriations act, more than doubling its base funding. Castelion is expanding production at Project Ranger, a 1,000-acre manufacturing campus in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The facility is intended to support solid-rocket-motor production, testing and final assembly. The company has reported investment of more than $220 million to $250 million in the facility. Castelion’s longer-term production target is 500 Blackbeard weapons per year for the U.S. Department of Defense. The latest AFRL contract modification adds another U.S. military development effort to a Blackbeard program that is simultaneously being advanced by the Navy and Army.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-18 13:02:01

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of State has approved a possible $24.3 billion Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia involving 48 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and related equipment and services. The State Department notified Congress of the proposed sale under Transmittal No. 26-69 on September 17, 2026. Saudi Arabia has requested 48 conventional takeoff and landing F-35s, along with 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines. Of these, 48 would be installed on the aircraft and one would be provided as a spare. The package includes spare parts, consumables, accessories, repair-and-return support, aircraft and munitions support equipment, and other logistics requirements. It also includes secure communications, precision navigation and cryptographic equipment, including AN/PYQ-10 simple key loaders and KIV-78 cryptographic appliques. Other elements include electronic warfare database support, classified and unclassified software, cartridge actuated and propellant actuated devices, technical documentation, transportation, ferry and refueling support, and engineering, technical and logistics services.   Training and Support The proposed deal includes personnel training, training equipment, simulators and other training aids. It also provides support through the engine component improvement program, aircraft modifications and maintenance services, as well as studies, surveys and site surveys. According to the State Department, the sale would support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening the security of Saudi Arabia, described by the department as a major non-NATO ally and a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf. The department said the F-35 acquisition would strengthen Saudi Arabia’s homeland defense and ability to deter current and future threats. It would also improve interoperability with U.S., regional and NATO forces and enhance Saudi air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capabilities. The State Department said Saudi Arabia would have no difficulty absorbing the aircraft, equipment and services and that the proposed sale would not alter the military balance in the Middle East. It also said the implementation would not require additional U.S. government or contractor personnel in Saudi Arabia and would have no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, Texas, and Pratt & Whitney Military Engines in East Hartford, Connecticut, are the principal contractors. The U.S. government said it is not aware of any proposed offset agreement. Any such arrangements would be negotiated directly between Saudi Arabia and the contractors. The proposed transaction is now subject to the standard 30-day congressional review period. It remains a proposed Foreign Military Sale, and if finalized, the first F-35 deliveries would take several years.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-18 12:54:25

 U.S 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army has awarded Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, a $234.5 million fixed-price-incentive contract modification to build 16 new UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. The modification raises the total cumulative value of contract W58RGZ-26-C-0008 to $356.3 million. The full amount was obligated from fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement funds when the award was made. The contract remains undefinitized, allowing Sikorsky to begin production while the Army and the company negotiate the final contract price. Work will be conducted at Sikorsky’s facility in Stratford, Connecticut, with completion estimated for June 30, 2028. The agreement is being managed by Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.   Contract Expands Earlier Procurement The contract began in April 2026 with a $65 million advance procurement award covering materials and long-lead items for 10 UH-60Ms. The arrangement was intended to reduce schedule risks before full-rate production. The latest modification now funds the production of 16 complete helicopters. The initial 16 aircraft are scheduled for delivery to the Army in fiscal 2028, as the current multiyear production agreement awarded in 2022 concludes by the end of 2027. The broader agreement could eventually support up to 150 aircraft over three to four years, including helicopters for the Army, National Guard and foreign military sales customers, once the contract is fully definitized.   UH-60M Black Hawk The UH-60M is the current production version of the Black Hawk. It features a digital cockpit, wide-chord rotor blades and T700-GE-701D engines, providing upgrades over earlier UH-60A and UH-60L models. Sikorsky has manufactured Black Hawks for the U.S. Army since 1978. The Army has procured UH-60M and HH-60M medical evacuation helicopters through several multiyear contracts, including an $8.5 billion five-year agreement signed in 2012 that also covered Navy Seahawks and aircraft for allied countries through the Foreign Military Sales program. The Army is separately studying a midlife modernization program intended to extend the UH-60M fleet’s service life beyond 2050. The first UH-60Ms were delivered in 2006, and the Army operates more than 2,000 UH-60Ms.   Separate Black Hawk Sale to Argentina Separately, the U.S. State Department approved a $140 million Foreign Military Sale to Argentina on September 10, 2026, covering four UH-60L Black Hawks and associated equipment. The package includes T700-GE-701D engines, communications and navigation systems, Garmin GTN-750 GPS systems, rescue hoists, fast-rope equipment, internal auxiliary fuel tanks and Bambi buckets for aerial firefighting. The proposed sale would support Argentina’s border security, counter-transnational crime and disaster-response capabilities. Argentina is seeking to replace its aging Bell UH-1H and Huey II fleet and has discussed potentially expanding the acquisition from four helicopters to as many as 10. As of the State Department’s notification, the Argentine procurement had no finalized delivery schedule or binding procurement agreement. The latest U.S. Army contract continues UH-60M production while the service also examines modernization options for its existing Black Hawk fleet.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-18 12:23:48