U.S 

ASHBURN, Va. — Curtiss-Wright Corporation has received an approximately $14 million contract from Northrop Grumman to supply sensor-processing equipment for the U.S. Army’s Improved Threat Detection System (ITDS). The award supports Phase II development of the Army’s future aircraft threat-warning system.   ITDS for Army Aviation ITDS is designed to detect, classify and identify electro-optical and infrared threats in real time and provide the information needed for an aircraft’s defensive response. The system is intended for current and future Army aviation platforms, with priority given to the AH-64 Apache and MV-75 Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA).   Curtiss-Wright Processor and ATHENA Sensor Under the contract, Curtiss-Wright will provide an integrated processor capable of receiving, processing and fusing high-bandwidth sensor data before rapidly distributing threat information across the aircraft. The processor will work with Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Tactical Hostile Engagement Awareness (ATHENA) sensor. ATHENA is designed to provide 360-degree situational awareness and high-resolution detection of electro-optical and infrared threats. The system is designed to detect threats including unmanned aerial systems, air-to-air missiles, anti-tank guided missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, loitering munitions, guided man-portable air-defense systems, small-arms fire and machine guns. It can also identify related threats outside a pilot’s direct line of sight or below the aircraft.   Threat Warning and Defensive Response Once a threat is classified, ITDS is designed to provide information to the aircraft’s defensive systems and support an appropriate response. This includes directable infrared countermeasures and expendable countermeasures such as chaff and flares. The system will also provide hostile-fire warnings and distinguish small-arms fire from rocket threats.   Open Architecture and Processing Curtiss-Wright’s processor uses a modular architecture aligned with the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) requirements. The equipment is housed in a conduction-cooled chassis designed for airborne operations and includes high-speed optical connections and configurable input-output interfaces. These features support both modern digital sensors and legacy aircraft systems. The processor also provides artificial-intelligence-enabled computing and real-time network-centric data sharing. The open architecture is intended to support the integration of new sensors, algorithms and countermeasure capabilities as threats evolve. The planned ITDS configuration consists of infrared sensors, a processor and a memory module connected through a digital backbone. The system is designed to conform to the Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE).   Phase II Development The contract is part of Phase II of the Army’s ITDS Other Transaction Agreement. Northrop Grumman advanced to Phase II following earlier development and testing, including more than 51 hours of flight testing and live-fire evaluations during Phase I. Phase II includes initial prototype systems, system design, integration, architecture development, sensor assessment, and additional flight and operational testing. The program is being developed under the Army’s Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors and is intended to provide a future threat-warning capability for rotary-wing aviation while supporting integration with existing countermeasure systems. Curtiss-Wright’s approximately $14 million award provides the processing element that will operate with Northrop Grumman’s ATHENA sensor as ITDS moves through Phase II development and testing. Source : defence-industry

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-01 16:47:49

 U.S 

WASHINGTON, — The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $800 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Iraq covering Bell 412EPX utility helicopters, Bell 407M light military helicopters and associated weapons, sensors, communications equipment, training and support. The approval was notified to Congress on August 31, 2026, under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales process. The notification does not specify the number of helicopters Iraq has requested, and the proposed sale is not yet a finalized contract. The State Department said the proposed package would improve Iraq's rotary-wing transport, reconnaissance and air-to-surface targeting capabilities and support the security of what it described as a strategic partner.   Bell 412EPX and Bell 407M The proposed acquisition combines two different helicopter types. The Bell 412EPX is a twin-engine utility helicopter developed by Bell and Subaru. Bell lists seating for one pilot and up to 14 passengers, a maximum cruise speed of about 123 knots (228 km/h), a maximum internal gross weight of 12,200 pounds (5,534 kg) and a cargo-hook capacity of 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg). The helicopter is designed for utility and transport missions and has an external maximum gross weight of 13,000 pounds (5,897 kg). Bell says the 412EPX uses Pratt & Whitney PT6T-9 Twin Pac engines and an upgraded main rotor transmission. The Bell 407M is a single-engine military version of the Bell 407 family intended for military and special-mission applications. Bell lists a standard configuration of one pilot and up to six passengers, a maximum cruise speed of 133 knots (246 km/h) and an external-load maximum gross weight of 6,000 pounds (2,722 kg). Bell also lists a 3,100-pound (1,406 kg) cargo-hook capacity for the 407M and a Rolls-Royce Model 250-C47E/4 turboshaft engine producing 862 shaft horsepower at takeoff.   Weapons and Mission Systems The proposed Iraqi package includes equipment for both reconnaissance and armed missions. The weapons listed in the notification include GAU-19 three-barrel machine guns and M260 seven-tube launchers for 2.75-inch (70 mm) rockets. For surveillance and targeting, Iraq has requested L3Harris WESCAM MX-15HDI electro-optical/infrared sensors. The package also includes AN/AAR-60 Block 2 missile-launch detection systems. Additional equipment includes very-high-frequency radios, spare parts, ground-support equipment, publications and technical data. The proposed sale also covers pilot and maintenance training and U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support.   Bell Textron to Be Principal Contractor Bell Textron, based in Fort Worth, Texas, is identified as the principal contractor for the proposed sale. The $800 million figure covers the proposed aircraft, equipment and associated support package. Because the notification does not specify the number of helicopters and the final configuration remains subject to negotiations, the eventual contract could differ from the notified proposal.   Congressional Review The State Department's approval is an important step in the U.S. FMS process, but it does not mean that a contract has been signed. Congress has a period to review the proposed transaction before the process can move toward final agreements and contracting. The proposed acquisition would add new Bell 412EPX and Bell 407M capabilities to Iraq's rotary-wing fleet while providing weapons, sensors, training and sustainment support as part of a single FMS package.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-01 16:13:58

 U.S 

WASHINGTON, — The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing a $12.68 million contract modification to upgrade electronic systems on the MQ-25A Stingray, the Navy’s carrier-based unmanned aircraft. The exact contract value is $12,680,717. The modification covers non-recurring engineering and integration work for an updated Radio Frequency Blanker Unit and an Encrypted Mass Storage System with an embedded Data Transfer System. The Radio Frequency Blanker Unit is designed to prevent the aircraft’s own transmissions from interfering with its onboard sensors, while the encrypted storage system provides secure storage and transfer of mission data. The contract also includes deficiency analysis and software corrections resulting from security assessments of the MQ-25’s Mission Management System Computer. The specific deficiencies have not been publicly disclosed. About 85 percent of the work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, with the remaining 15 percent in Fairborn, Ohio. The work is scheduled for completion by November 2029. Fiscal 2026 Navy research, development, test and evaluation funds will cover the full amount. The modification was not competitively bid, and Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.   MQ-25's Carrier Role The MQ-25 is being developed primarily as an unmanned aerial refueling aircraft for U.S. Navy carrier air wings. It is intended to take over tanker missions currently performed by crewed F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, allowing those aircraft to remain available for other missions. The Navy has said the Stingray will be the first unmanned aircraft to routinely operate from a U.S. aircraft carrier. The platform is also planned to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.   2026 Flight Testing The first production-representative MQ-25A completed its approximately two-hour maiden flight on April 25, 2026, at Boeing’s facility at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois. An earlier flight attempt on April 22 was aborted for undisclosed reasons. During the maiden flight, the aircraft autonomously taxied, took off, maneuvered and landed while responding to commands from the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System MD-5 ground station. The aircraft completed its second test flight in July, including landing-gear cycling and testing of new software intended to support future expansion of its flight envelope. Separate deck-handling trials aboard USS George H.W. Bush demonstrated the aircraft’s physical compatibility with carrier deck operations. The Boeing-owned T1 demonstrator has also participated in carrier deck activities aboard USS Nimitz. The Navy previously planned a test fleet of nine MQ-25 aircraft, including four Engineering Development Model aircraft produced under an $805 million engineering and manufacturing development contract. Future testing will expand the aircraft’s flight envelope, certify its aerial-refueling capability and eventually move to Naval Air Station Patuxent River for operational evaluation. The Navy has targeted Initial Operational Capability for the MQ-25, while the program continues its testing and development toward operational deployment.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-01 14:15:31

 U.S 

PERTH, Australia — The U.S. Department of War has announced an estimated $174 million equity investment to support construction of a new gallium production facility at Alcoa’s Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia. The facility is projected to produce 100 metric tons of gallium metal annually, representing up to 10 percent of global supply.   Multinational Partnership The project involves the United States, Australia and Japan. Alcoa of Australia will construct and operate the facility in partnership with Export Finance Australia, the Japanese government and Sojitz Corporation. Australia is expected to provide up to $200 million in financing for the project. The U.S. investment is being managed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy through the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program. The U.S. financing gives the Department of War an equity position in the facility. The final dollar value of the investment will remain subject to exchange-rate movements when the transaction is completed. “This landmark agreement with our key allies, Australia and Japan, will secure a vital supply of gallium for our defense industrial base, strengthening our collective security and economic resilience for years to come,” said Michael Cadenazzi, Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy.   Gallium Production at Wagerup The facility will recover gallium as a byproduct of Alcoa’s existing bauxite and alumina refining operations using ion-exchange technology. No additional bauxite mining will be required. The plant will occupy about 4 hectares of already cleared land at the Wagerup site, located approximately 120 to 150 kilometers south of Perth. A final investment decision was reached in July 2026, while construction began in late August 2026. The project is expected to create up to 200 construction jobs and approximately 20 permanent positions once operational. Partners are expected to receive offtake rights proportional to their interests.   Importance for Defense and Supply Chains Gallium is used in high-performance semiconductors for advanced aircraft and maritime radars, ground-based missile defense systems, secure satellite and tactical communications, electro-optical and infrared sensors for missile guidance and thermal imaging, and solar cells used by military and civilian satellites. The project is intended to strengthen the global gallium supply chain after China introduced export restrictions on gallium in 2023. China accounts for roughly 98 percent of global gallium production, making alternative sources a priority for the United States, Australia and Japan. The planned 100-metric-ton annual output would represent up to 10 percent of global supply.   U.S. Defense Industrial Base Investment The U.S. investment is being made through the IBAS program, which was established in 2014 to restore and expand production capacity supporting the defense industrial base. Since its creation, IBAS has invested more than $2.6 billion across over 200 projects. Alcoa will construct and operate the Wagerup facility, and its participation is not expected to have a material impact on the company’s overall financial position or results.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-01 13:34:26

 U.S 

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman an $86.1 million sole-source task order to provide program management, maintenance, sustaining engineering and support services for the Remote Visual Assessment (RVA) program, which provides camera and sensor-based surveillance at facilities associated with the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system. The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity for the award. The task order is expected to run through September 2031.   Maintaining the Remote Visual Assessment system The RVA program provides a ground-based surveillance network that allows Air Force personnel to visually assess activity at Minuteman III launch facilities and other related sites. The system is particularly useful because Minuteman III launch facilities are distributed across large areas of the northern United States. When a security sensor generates an alert, personnel can use the RVA camera network to assess activity remotely rather than immediately sending personnel to the affected location. This provides security personnel with visual information for determining whether an alert requires a response. The current task order covers the continued operation and sustainment of the camera and sensor infrastructure, including program management, routine maintenance, sustaining engineering and other support services.   Work across four Air Force locations Maintenance and engineering activities under the task order will be carried out at Hill Air Force Base in Utah and at the three Air Force bases responsible for the Minuteman III missile fields: F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota These installations support the dispersed Minuteman III ICBM force located across the northern United States.   $15.2 million obligated initially The task order has a total potential value of $86.1 million. At the time of the award, the Air Force obligated $15.2 million in fiscal year 2026 procurement funds. The remaining funding is expected to be provided incrementally as work under the task order progresses. The award was made through a sole-source acquisition and falls under the broader Ground Subsystems Support Contract (GSSC) effort supporting the Minuteman III system. Northrop Grumman has been involved in sustaining the ground subsystems of the Minuteman III system for years. The company's GSSC work includes engineering and field support intended to maintain the reliability and security of the ground-based ICBM system. One report identifies the task order as FA8214-26-F-B017.   Supporting the Minuteman III during the transition to Sentinel The Minuteman III is the current U.S. land-based ICBM and forms the ground-based component of the country's nuclear triad. Northrop Grumman describes the system as having been deployed since the 1970s and continues to support its sustainment. The Air Force is also developing the LGM-35A Sentinel as the replacement for Minuteman III. Sentinel is intended to modernize the ground-based component of the U.S. nuclear triad, including the missile and associated ground infrastructure. Until the replacement system is fielded, maintaining the existing Minuteman III ground infrastructure remains part of the Air Force's ongoing sustainment effort. The new $86.1 million task order therefore continues support for an existing surveillance capability used to monitor activity around Minuteman III facilities while the United States works toward its next-generation ICBM system.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-01 13:04:56

 U.S 

Plymouth, Michigan —  American Rheinmetall has delivered the first of eight Lynx XM30 combat vehicle prototypes to the U.S. Army, moving its proposed replacement for the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle into government-led developmental and performance testing. The delivery marks an important stage in the Army’s competitive XM30 Combat Vehicle program, under which American Rheinmetall and General Dynamics Land Systems are developing competing vehicles to replace the Bradley. The Army's own program documentation identifies the XM30 as the future replacement for the Bradley. The first Lynx prototype is being delivered under the Phase 3/4 Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract, valued at approximately $764 million. The contract covers digital design, physical prototype development and full-system validation.   First Lynx Prototype Begins Army Evaluation American Rheinmetall CEO Matt Warnick said the delivery is an important step as the XM30 program enters a more visible phase and gives Team Lynx the opportunity to demonstrate its proposed Bradley replacement to the Army. The company plans to deliver the remaining seven prototypes later in 2026. These vehicles will support operational unit training while technical evaluations continue under the Army's Transformation in Contact (TiC) 2.0 initiative. After completing initial military safety checks, soldiers will conduct field maneuvers with the prototypes. The evaluation process is expected to progress toward large-scale combat simulations, allowing the Army to assess the vehicles under operational conditions.   Hybrid-Electric Powertrain One of the key features of the Lynx XM30 is its hybrid-electric powertrain. American Rheinmetall describes the system as providing increased power-generation capability while supporting battlefield mobility. The company also describes the vehicle as the first platform of this type to introduce a hybrid-electric powertrain. The additional electrical capacity is particularly relevant to the XM30's design because the vehicle is being developed as a digitally integrated combat system. The Lynx XM30 incorporates secure, real-time connectivity, while its architecture is designed to support the integration of new technologies during its service life. The vehicle uses a modular design and adaptive open architecture, intended to make it easier to incorporate future technologies as requirements change. The Army's XM30 program also emphasizes modular open systems as part of the vehicle's future upgrade capability.   Designed for a Changing Battlefield The Lynx XM30 is being developed for an operating environment increasingly affected by drones, precision weapons and electronic warfare, according to American Rheinmetall. The company's U.S. XM30 offering includes a U.S.-designed uncrewed 50mm turret, a two-soldier crew concept, integrated vehicle protection systems and a modular open architecture. The Army's broader XM30 requirements are focused on providing improved protection, firepower, mobility and survivability compared with the Bradley while allowing the vehicle to operate as part of a joint combined-arms force. The Army also intends the XM30 to work with maneuver robotics and semi-autonomous systems.   U.S. Production Network The Lynx XM30 prototypes are being produced through a multi-state U.S. manufacturing process. Turret fabrication takes place in Plymouth, Michigan, while hull and chassis integration is carried out in Slidell, Louisiana. Completed vehicles undergo automotive shakeout trials before returning to Louisiana for final painting and detailing. Before formal government acceptance, each prototype undergoes a joint inspection involving the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). American Rheinmetall is the prime contractor for Team Lynx, whose partners include Textron Systems, Raytheon, L3Harris Technologies, Allison Transmission and Anduril Industries, along with a wider network of U.S. suppliers.   Competition to Replace the Bradley The Lynx XM30 is competing against the General Dynamics Land Systems XM30 design. The U.S. Army selected the two companies in 2023 to proceed with detailed design and prototype development for the Bradley replacement program. The Army plans to evaluate the competing prototypes before selecting one design to proceed toward the next stage of the program. Rheinmetall's earlier contract announcement stated that the Army planned to down-select to one vendor for Low-Rate Initial Production in Phase 5 near the end of 2027. The delivery of the first Lynx XM30 therefore begins a key physical testing stage in the competition. The Army's evaluation of the two prototype designs will determine which vehicle advances toward becoming the next-generation infantry fighting vehicle intended to replace the M2 Bradley.

Read More → Posted on 2026-09-01 12:01:00

 U.S 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Interest payments on the U.S. federal debt reached a record share of government revenue in fiscal year 2025, highlighting the growing cost of servicing the national debt. Net interest payments totaled about $970 billion in fiscal 2025, while federal receipts were approximately $5.24 trillion. That meant interest payments consumed about 18.5% of federal revenue, the highest share since the federal data series began in 1940. The previous high was about 18.4% in 1991. The increase has been driven by the combination of a larger federal debt balance and higher interest rates than those seen during much of the 2010s and early 2020s.   Interest Costs Have Risen Rapidly The increase in interest costs has been particularly pronounced since fiscal 2021. Net interest was about $352 billion in 2021, before rising to roughly $970 billion in 2025. Over the same period, interest as a share of federal revenue increased from about 8.7% to 18.5%. The federal government must borrow when its spending exceeds its revenue. As the amount of debt grows, the government must make interest payments on that accumulated borrowing. Higher Treasury yields have also increased the cost of refinancing existing debt and issuing new debt. As Treasury securities mature, they are replaced with new securities at prevailing market rates.   Debt Is Adding Pressure to the Federal Budget The Congressional Budget Office expects the federal government's debt and interest costs to continue increasing under current law. In its February 2026 budget outlook, the CBO projected that net interest costs would rise from $970 billion in fiscal 2025 to about $1.0 trillion in fiscal 2026. The agency expects net interest costs to reach about $2.1 trillion by 2036, or 4.6% of GDP. The CBO also projects that debt held by the public will increase from about 101% of GDP in 2026 to 120% in 2036. In its long-term projections, debt held by the public could reach 175% of GDP by 2056 if current laws remain generally unchanged.   Interest Costs Are Becoming a Larger Budget Item The rising interest bill is increasingly significant compared with other federal spending categories. In fiscal 2025, the government's approximately $970 billion in net interest costs exceeded federal spending on national defense in that year, according to budget comparisons using federal data. The interest bill also ranks among the largest individual categories of federal spending. The issue is not only the size of the current payment. Higher interest costs can also contribute to larger future deficits when the government continues to borrow to finance budget shortfalls.   Long-Term Outlook The CBO's projections show that interest costs are expected to continue rising over the next decade. By 2036, CBO projects net interest payments of about $2.1 trillion, more than twice the 2025 level. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that interest could account for roughly one-quarter of federal revenue by that point. CBO's longer-term projections are also significant. By 2056, net interest costs are projected to reach 6.9% of GDP, while debt held by the public could rise to 175% of GDP under current law. The 2025 figures therefore mark an important change in the federal budget. Interest payments have become a much larger claim on federal revenue, while the government's debt and borrowing costs remain on an upward path under current fiscal projections.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-31 16:55:10

 U.S 

NORTHERN VIRGINIA, — Dutch radar manufacturer Robin Radar Systems has opened an expanded operations center in Northern Virginia as demand for its drone-detection technology grows in the United States. The facility, opened on August 26, will add 20 local jobs and support the company’s growing customer base across government, defense, law enforcement and critical infrastructure sectors. Robin Radar said U.S. sales of its IRIS drone-detection radars increased by 75% during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year. The company has also recorded 60% year-over-year global growth over the past three years. Robin Radar recently secured its largest U.S. agreement to date through a counter-UAS integrator. The deal provides radar systems for federal agencies as well as state, local, territorial and tribal authorities. More than 30 IRIS radars were also deployed across North America during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Robin Radar said the deployment was one of its largest operational uses of IRIS and provided persistent 3D airspace awareness for U.S. government and local authorities around tournament venues.   IRIS Radar IRIS is a compact X-band 3D radar designed to detect, track and classify drones. It weighs 64 pounds (29 kg), can be deployed in less than 15 minutes and provides 360-degree coverage. The system uses micro-Doppler classification and deep neural networks to distinguish drones from birds and other environmental clutter. It can detect hovering drones and track multiple targets simultaneously. Robin Radar said operational experience from recent conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, is influencing U.S. counter-UAS procurement, with customers placing greater emphasis on detection, tracking and classification in complex environments. The company selected Northern Virginia because of its established defense industry ecosystem and proximity to government customers. The new center builds on Robin Radar’s U.S. presence in Virginia and is intended to support customers from system evaluation and deployment through ongoing operations. The opening ceremony was attended by Birgitta Tazelaar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United States, and industry representatives including Ben Wenger, Chief Revenue Officer of Dedrone by Axon. Tazelaar said the expansion represents an investment in the United States, Dutch technology and the transatlantic relationship. Robin Radar CEO Siete Hamminga said the company aims to become part of the U.S. security ecosystem by hiring locally, supporting American customers, working with U.S. businesses and building more capabilities in the country. Robin Radar Systems is headquartered in The Hague and develops radar technology for drone and bird detection. Its systems are used by NATO members, government agencies and critical infrastructure operators in multiple countries.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-31 13:53:20

 U.S 

KITTERY, Maine — The U.S. Navy returned the Virginia-class attack submarine USS North Dakota (SSN 784) to the active fleet on August 29 after Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, completed an Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability. The Virginia-class attack submarine received major maintenance and modernization work and completed the project ahead of its rebaselined schedule.   40-Month Maintenance Period North Dakota arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on April 28, 2023, and entered Dry Dock No. 2 in September 2023. It undocked on February 26, 2026, before undergoing nearly six more months of pierside work, system integration, testing and certification. The submarine began sea trials on August 20, 2026, and arrived at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, on August 27. The availability formally ended on August 29, bringing the total maintenance period to about 40 months. The original plan called for about 33 months of work valued at approximately $347 million.   First Block III Availability The project was Portsmouth Naval Shipyard’s first Chief of Naval Operations availability for a Block III Virginia-class submarine. Shipyard workers and North Dakota’s crew worked together to integrate new maritime technologies and complete several technical modifications on a Block III submarine for the first time. The work included structural inspections, repairs, replacement of key mechanical and electrical systems, and upgrades involving the submarine’s bow-array technologies. The Navy said the submarine progressed through its testing program, including its final phase, at a historically rapid pace. The experience gained from the project is expected to help guide future maintenance work on other Block III Virginia-class submarines.   Block III Design USS North Dakota is the 11th Virginia-class attack submarine and the first of eight Block III boats. The submarine is 114.8 meters long, nuclear-powered and based at Naval Submarine Base New London. The Block III configuration introduced a redesigned bow with a Large Aperture Bow (LAB) sonar array and two large-diameter Virginia Payload Tubes. These replaced the 12 individual vertical launch tubes used on earlier Virginia-class submarines.   Navy and Shipyard Statements “Executing this complex work package on our first Block III submarine was a demanding task, but this team met every challenge head-on with tenacity and selflessness,” said Capt. Jesse Nice, shipyard commander. He said the team’s work created a foundation for future Virginia-class maintenance projects. Capt. Mike Poplawski, commodore of Submarine Squadron TWO, said the technological capabilities integrated during the availability provide an immediate operational benefit and strengthen the readiness and resilience of the submarine force. Andrew Stark, North Dakota’s project superintendent, credited the submarine’s crew and Portsmouth’s civilian workforce for their coordination throughout the project. He said the team executed the “fastest, most aggressive end game in recent history” on a major availability at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.   USS North Dakota General Dynamics Electric Boat built North Dakota in Groton, Connecticut. Its contract was awarded on August 14, 2003. The keel was laid on May 11, 2012, the submarine was launched on September 15, 2013, christened on November 2, 2013, and commissioned on October 25, 2014. The submarine supports missions including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering and special operations support. With North Dakota back in the fleet, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has completed its first major maintenance project involving the Block III Virginia-class configuration. The experience is expected to support future modernization and maintenance work on other submarines in the block.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-31 11:41:00

 U.S 

WASHINGTON, — Senior U.S. military leaders have warned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that continuing large-scale operations against Iran is putting increasing pressure on U.S. military resources and could weaken America’s ability to respond to potential threats in Europe, the Indo-Pacific and the homeland. The concerns were detailed in the Aug. 14 Secretary of Defense Orders Book (SDOB), a classified document covering the worldwide availability of U.S. warships, aircraft, personnel and weapons. People familiar with the assessment spoke to The Washington Post on condition of anonymity because the document is classified.   Commanders Object to Extensions The commanders of U.S. European Command, U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Southern Command, along with the Navy’s top admiral, formally recorded a “non-concur” with orders extending forces for the Iran campaign. The designation means they disagreed with the extensions but would still carry out the orders. Army and Air Force leaders concurred with the extensions but warned Hegseth that continuing them carries significant strategic risk. The campaign, which began in late February and has continued for about six months, has required large numbers of ships, aircraft, personnel, air-defense systems and other weapons in the Middle East. More than 50,000 U.S. troops remain on alert in the region. The Aug. 14 orders keep some forces there through September and others into 2027. Military leaders described the situation as “too much for too long”, citing the lack of a clear end date and the continued transfer of resources from other commands.   Navy Under Pressure Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle told Hegseth that the Navy cannot sustain its current level of support indefinitely. Only about one-quarter of the Navy’s destroyers are currently ready to deploy, according to the assessment. The Navy has provided dozens of vessels for the campaign, initially for strikes and defense against Iranian counterattacks and later to support a blockade of Iranian ports aimed at pressuring Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Some ship and crew deployments have been extended by months. The assessment warns that continued operations could affect ship maintenance and reduce fleet availability for other conflicts. Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, also opposed the continued requirement to provide a carrier strike group and destroyers to the Middle East. The only U.S. aircraft carrier normally based in the Pacific was sent to the region to relieve another carrier that had been deployed for more than 300 days.   Other Forces and Weapons Affected European Command and Southern Command warned that moving ships and surveillance aircraft to Central Command has reduced their ability to conduct training and meet other missions, including homeland-defense responsibilities. The 82nd Airborne Division, which sent about 2,000 soldiers to the region in March, is ordered to remain at least through September, with some officials expecting another extension. Patriot air-defense units are also expected to remain longer, while many Air Force units involved in the operation are scheduled to stay into 2027. The campaign has also drawn on U.S. stocks of Patriot and THAAD interceptors and Tomahawk missiles. Previous reporting cited losses of about 25 percent of the Reaper drone fleet, as well as damage to U.S. bases in the region. The Trump administration has disputed descriptions of U.S. munitions shortages as inaccurate.   Pentagon Response Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said decisions on the scope and duration of U.S. force commitments are based on the current threat assessment, presidential strategic priorities and advice from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and combatant commanders. The Pentagon does not discuss internal operational processes, including specific concurrences, non-concurrences or risk assessments made during force-allocation decisions. A spokesman for Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine referred questions to Hegseth’s office. President Donald Trump has continued pressing Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept U.S. terms for ending the conflict while keeping military options available. The commanders’ assessment highlights the strain created by maintaining the current level of U.S. military operations without a clear end date.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-30 15:28:53

 U.S 

SAN DIEGO, California — Voltaic Marine has completed live trials integrating its AEU39 uncrewed surface vessel (USV) with Moog Space and Defense’s Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) remote weapon turret during the U.S. Navy’s Coastal Trident Demo. The demonstration marked the first maritime use of the RIwP and included its detection and tracking functions aboard the autonomous vessel.   RIwP Integration During the trials, the RIwP drew power directly from the AEU39’s 300 kWh battery bank while the vessel held position on the water. The system used standard interfaces and an 800-volt-to-12-volt conversion system. The turret was installed in the AEU39’s forward payload bay beneath a hinged armored hatch. The hatch opens upward when the weapon system is needed and closes flush with the hull when it is not in use. The RIwP is a configurable, platform-agnostic remote weapon station already fielded on other platforms. The maritime configuration retains commonality with the standard RIwP while weighing roughly one-third as much. It can accommodate a 30 mm cannon and multiple missile effectors, as well as different weapons and sensors. It also has increased onboard ammunition capacity for extended engagement duration.   AEU39 Payload and Propulsion The AEU39 has an open payload architecture with two modular bays and a combined payload capacity of 4,000 pounds (1,814 kg). The forward bay supports modular turret systems. A separate enclosed midship bay is designed to launch and recover uncrewed aircraft from a stabilized deck and provides additional modular payload options. The vessel uses electric-hybrid propulsion with integrated solar panels. Voltaic Marine says the system provides low acoustic and thermal signatures and allows the vessel to remain on station without the noise and heat associated with conventional propulsion. The company says the battery and solar-electric system can keep a fielded weapon system “on watch for weeks at a time.”   Autonomy and Logistics The AEU39 is designed to operate with different autonomy and command-and-control systems through open data and communications standards. It supports waypoint transit, area patrol, loitering and repositioning commands. The vessel can be transported on a standard road trailer, launched from a basic boat ramp, shipped inside a 45-foot high-cube container, and carried aboard C-17 and C-130 transport aircraft.   Industry Statements Richard Phamdo, CEO of Voltaic Marine, said the AEU39 was built around modular payload bays and abundant electric power, while RIwP provides multiple defeat options from a single reconfigurable mount. Jason Weiss, Moog Land and Sea Business Unit General Manager, said the collaboration brings RIwP’s capabilities from land-based applications into the maritime domain. The companies have not disclosed the specific trial date or location, customer or program involved, whether live munitions were used, or detailed performance results from the demonstration.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-30 12:15:10

 U.S 

WASHINGTON, — The U.S. Navy says a single Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer can perform air and ballistic missile defense missions that previously required two Flight IIA destroyers. Two Flight III ships have been delivered, while another 23 are under contract or under construction at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. The Navy considers Flight III a new type-model warship rather than a minor upgrade. The variant is designed to protect carrier strike groups and operate in more contested environments.   SPY-6 Radar and Aegis Baseline 10 The main upgrade is the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar, integrated with the Aegis Baseline 10 combat system. The Navy says the combination can detect, track and engage more complex threats at greater distances and in less time than older destroyers. Aegis Baseline 10 processes the larger amount of data produced by SPY-6 and allows Flight III ships to conduct air defense and ballistic missile defense simultaneously without losing performance. The SPY-6 uses gallium-nitride technology and modular assemblies, providing greater sensitivity and longer detection ranges than the earlier SPY-1 radar. It is designed to help track smaller, faster and more complex threats.   Major Power and Cooling Changes The larger radar required major changes to the ship’s electrical and cooling systems. Flight III uses a 4,160-volt electrical grid, compared with 450 volts on Flight IIA ships. The increased capacity also supports future systems such as directed-energy weapons. The ships have upgraded air-conditioning systems, a larger chilled-water supply and updated gas-turbine generators producing 4 megawatts each. A modified steel hull supports the additional equipment. These changes increase displacement to more than 9,500 tons, compared with about 9,300 tons for a Flight IIA destroyer. The ships retain the standard Arleigh Burke-class armament, including 96 vertical-launch cells.   USS Jack H. Lucas Leads the Class USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), commissioned in October 2023, is the lead Flight III ship and currently the only one in operational service. It is completing initial operational test and evaluation before taking the air and missile defense commander role for a carrier strike group. The destroyer participated in Pacific Dragon 2026, a U.S. 3rd Fleet-led missile-defense exercise around Hawaii involving the Missile Defense Agency and allied forces. Testing will continue during a busy underway schedule for the next 13 months. Capt. Rob Niemeyer, the ship’s commanding officer, said Jack H. Lucas represents a major advance in surface warfare capability and highlighted the performance of its sailors during Pacific Dragon 2026.   Ted Stevens and Louis H. Wilson Jr. The future USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128) is nearing commissioning and will become the second Flight III destroyer. It recently completed Full Ship Shock Trials, using live ordnance to test whether the ship can continue operating after combat-related shock. The Navy has scheduled its commissioning for October 3, 2026, in Whittier, Alaska. It will then be homeported in Norfolk, Virginia. Capt. Mary Katey Hays, commanding officer of Ted Stevens, said Flight III ships represent the future of integrated air and missile defense and provide an upgrade needed by carrier strike groups. The future USS Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126) is also expected to join the surface force as additional Flight III ships enter service. Yeoman 1st Class Kristha Hernandez, assigned to the ship, said serving aboard the next class of DDGs provides an opportunity to contribute to the Navy’s future mission and maintain maritime superiority. Flight III production is continuing at Ingalls Shipbuilding and Bath Iron Works, as the Navy expands a destroyer variant built around SPY-6, Aegis Baseline 10 and substantially increased power and cooling capacity.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-29 15:32:29

 U.S 

STAMFORD, Connecticut, — The U.S. Army has awarded Integrate DG LLC a contract worth up to $27.8 million for its Alphawing uncrewed aircraft systems, related support equipment and field technicians. The Department of War announced the award this week. The Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, issued the contract as a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) agreement. The Army solicited bids online and received one response, from Integrate DG. The contract sets a maximum spending ceiling and allows the Army to place orders as required rather than committing to a fixed number of systems. Funding and work locations will be determined with each order. The estimated completion date is October 30, 2026. Integrate DG is based in Stamford, Connecticut, and has offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France and Germany. The company describes itself as a defense engineering firm focused on autonomous systems for air and sea. Its work includes moving drone technologies from prototypes toward deployable hardware, with areas of focus including long-endurance missions, maritime surveillance and secure communications relays. The Alphawing is part of Integrate DG's broader portfolio of unmanned systems. However, the Army has not released the technical specifications of the Alphawing variant covered by the contract. It has also not disclosed the number of systems it plans to order, the Army units that will receive them or the missions they will support. The single-bid outcome reflects the procurement of a specialized system, although the Army has not stated why only one company submitted a bid. With the contract scheduled for completion by October 30, 2026, any orders placed under the agreement will fall within a relatively short delivery period.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-29 15:16:39

 U.S 

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) has delivered the first prototype of its XM30 “Wolf” Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (MICV) to the U.S. Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The delivery marks a major step in the Army’s program to replace the M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, which has served for more than 40 years.   XM30 Wolf The XM30 is being developed as an optionally manned tracked combat vehicle with a reduced two-person crew and space for six fully equipped infantry soldiers. The vehicle is planned to feature a 50mm automatic cannon, anti-tank guided missiles, active protection systems, advanced sensors for 360-degree situational awareness and hybrid-electric propulsion. GDLS is also developing the Wolf with a Modular Open Systems Architecture and a born-digital design intended to support software updates and the integration of new technologies.   Competition With Rheinmetall The XM30 program is a head-to-head competition between GDLS and American Rheinmetall Vehicles. Under contracts awarded in 2023, each company is required to build between seven and 11 prototypes. The combined value of the contracts was approximately $1.6 billion. GDLS calls its vehicle the Wolf, while American Rheinmetall Vehicles is offering a design based on the Lynx.   Prototype Testing Retired Army Brig. Gen. Geoffrey Norman, now working with GDLS, announced the prototype delivery. Norman spent 30 years in the Army as a tanker and cavalryman. He previously served with the Next Generation Combat Vehicle Cross-Functional Team at Detroit Arsenal, where he helped develop requirements for the XM30 and M1E3 Abrams upgrade before joining GDLS. Norman said additional Wolf prototypes will be completed and delivered to the Army. He also credited GDLS teams working at facilities in Sterling Heights and Grand Rapids, Michigan; Lima, Ohio; Scranton, Pennsylvania; Tallahassee, Florida; and London, Ontario. Following initial checks at Aberdeen Proving Ground, the prototypes will be sent to Fort Hood, Texas, where soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, known as the “Ironhorse Brigade,” will conduct operational evaluations. The vehicles could also be evaluated during a National Training Center rotation.   Army Selection Planned for 2027 The Army plans to select a single winning design by the end of 2027 for Phase 5 low-rate initial production. The selected manufacturer is planned to produce up to 19 complete vehicles, including hulls and turrets, for production qualification and Initial Operational Test and Evaluation. If the program remains on schedule, the first production XM30 vehicles are expected to be delivered to the first Army unit transitioning to the new vehicle in fiscal year 2029. Meanwhile, GDLS and American Rheinmetall Vehicles will continue delivering their remaining prototypes to support Army testing and soldier evaluations.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-29 13:55:36

 U.S 

WASHINGTON,  — The U.S. Department of Defense has raised the estimated acquisition cost of the F-35 Lightning II program to $536.2 billion, an increase of about $51 billion, or more than 10 percent, from the previous $485.2 billion estimate. The figure covers the aircraft and engines the U.S. government plans to purchase. The latest Modernized Selected Acquisition Report (MSAR) shows that the increase is spread across development and procurement. Research, development, test and evaluation costs have risen by about $19 billion to $106.6 billion, while procurement costs have increased by nearly $32 billion.   Higher Cost Estimates for All Three Variants In constant 2012 dollars, the estimated unit recurring flyaway cost—which covers the aircraft and engine—has increased for all three variants: F-35A: $78 million, up 7.3 percent from $72.7 million. F-35C: $93.4 million, up 6.6 percent from $87.65 million. F-35B: $110.3 million, up 10.5 percent from $99.78 million. These are historical-dollar estimates. The F-35 Joint Program Office has said current-year prices for individual variants in the latest production lots are controlled unclassified information and cannot be released.   Modernization and Production Costs The increase in development spending is partly linked to a revised estimate for the Power Thermal Management Upgrade, which incorporates updated requirements and assumptions. The program has also revised schedules for Block 4 modernization, the F135 engine core upgrade, and power and thermal-management improvements, adding time and costs. About $900 million of the $19 billion increase in development spending is attributed to refined Block 4 capability estimates. Block 4 is intended to improve the F-35's weapons, sensors and sensor fusion. The program is prioritizing 55 capabilities, including kill-chain improvements for air-superiority and suppression-of-enemy-air-defenses missions and integration of new weapons. The nearly $32 billion increase in procurement costs includes the upcoming APG-85 radar, higher production-support costs, the production requirement for the Power Thermal Management Upgrade, contractors' actual costs and negotiated pricing for Lots 18 and 19. In September 2025, the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin finalized a $24.29 billion contract for 296 F-35s in Lots 18 and 19. Separate engine agreements for those lots were valued at $6.6 billion, giving an implied combined average of about $104.4 million per aircraft and engine across the variants.   Inflation and Procurement Changes Inflation and higher material prices are also contributing to the higher estimate. The Pentagon is shifting some planned F-35 purchases into later budget years, exposing those future purchases to additional inflation. The Marine Corps is also changing part of its planned procurement mix by shifting some purchases toward the more expensive F-35C. Lifetime Cost Estimate Falls Despite the higher acquisition estimate, the Pentagon's projected total lifecycle cost for the F-35 program has fallen from about $2.06 trillion to approximately $1.93 trillion. The lifecycle estimate covers the broader costs of operating and sustaining the fleet over its projected service life. The latest assessment therefore shows higher projected costs for developing and purchasing the planned fleet, while the overall projected lifetime cost has moved lower.

Read More → Posted on 2026-08-29 13:46:25