Ukrainian drone teams demolished a brigade of US Army tanks and armored vehicles during a live war game held this year—but the US soldiers were lucky enough to get “respawn” attempts while learning from the experience.
The semiannual military exercise, called Combined Resolve, gave the US military a firsthand taste of how modern drone warfare has evolved on the battlefields of Ukraine. The Ukrainian drone operators participating in the exercise were easily able to spot and destroy US armored vehicles by mimicking the actions of dropping bombs from above or moving close enough to simulate a kamikaze strike, according to US officials and a participant who spoke with The Wall Street Journal.
US armored vehicles were being destroyed so quickly that they were “respawned” and sent back into the simulated fray, a US official told The Wall Street Journal. The US troops who participated in the exercise—held in Germany from April 9 to May 10—were on rotational deployment from Fort Hood, Texas.
Replicating the cold, airless void of space inside a high-vacuum chamber on Earth, defense giants Lockheed Martin and L3Harris Technologies have cleared a massive technical hurdle in the race to protect the American homeland.
The companies successfully completed a static hot-fire test for the Stage 2 solid rocket motor of the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI). It was a demanding proof-of-concept run. Through simulated low-Earth orbit conditions, engineers proved the motor could deliver reliable performance where standard atmospheric tests fall short.
On-time fielding of the NGI fulfills an urgent need for advanced U.S. missile defense capabilities, with recent static-fire testing confirming its steady progress toward Critical Design Review.
“The test demonstrated the L3Harris Technologies’ Stage 2 motor will sustain the extreme thermal and pressure stresses expected during interceptor missions,” the company stated.
Test performance
The Next Generation Interceptor is the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s upcoming homeland anti-ballistic missile system, designed to defend against intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). As part of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) architecture, it will replace older Ground-Based Interceptors (GBIs) currently housed in Alaska and California silos with an upgraded, modernized defense capability.
During the test, the L3Harris-built motor sustained intense thermal and pressure stresses. It did far more than survive; key metrics like thrust output, chamber pressure, and combustion stability matched design expectations across the board.
That stability is crucial. At hypersonic speeds, even a microsecond of thrust fluctuation can cause an interceptor to miss an incoming threat entirely.
“This successful static fire test is a significant milestone on the path to the Critical Design Review and confirms our confidence that the NGI motor will meet the demanding performance envelope required for fielding by 2030,” said Christopher Jewell, Lockheed Martin NGI vice president.
The raw test data will now feed directly into finalizing the interceptor‘s complete blueprint, paving the way for full integration into the nation’s Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) network.
Other advancements in NGI tech
In early August, Lockheed Martin achieved another key milestone for the NGI program by successfully completing a critical burst test on its second-stage motor case.
Engineers pressurized the carbon-fiber composite structure with water beyond expected launch limits. The testing confirmed its strength-to-weight ratio and ability to withstand extreme launch forces while delivering necessary orbital thrust.
NGI is progressing toward a key December design review, clearing the way for qualification testing, initial 2028 deliveries, and flight tests starting in 2029.
Despite an 18-month delay caused by supply chain problems and solid rocket motor design issues, it is said that recent performance has been strong, though the agency remains vigilant regarding potential component risks.
Also, in June, Lockheed Martin opened a new assembly facility in Courtland, Alabama, dedicated to manufacturing the NGI. Reportedly, the plant features a digitally driven production line engineered for flexible scalability and reconfiguration to meet evolving military demands.
In 2024, the Missile Defense Agency awarded Lockheed Martin a $17 billion contract to deliver 20 NGIs. The system is expected to serve as a core component of “Golden Dome,” the Defense Department’s multi-domain missile shield linking sensors and interceptors. For this initiative, the Pentagon is requesting nearly $18 billion in fiscal 2027 as part of a projected $185 billion long-term investment.
Lockheed Martin and sub-contractor L3Harris Technologies successfully completed a high-vacuum, static hot-fire test for the Stage 2 solid rocket motor of the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program.
Australia is taking another step toward operating its future nuclear-powered submarine fleet, awarding Lockheed Martin a two-year, AUD$26.5 million contract to establish a sovereign Combat Systems Integration (CSI) capability for its future Virginia-class submarines.
The work is being undertaken through the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) as part of the AUKUS partnership, with Australian engineers working alongside U.S.-based Virginia-class submarine specialists.
The technical capability being developed may sound like a relatively small part of a submarine program, but it sits at the heart of how a modern attack submarine turns information from its sensors into decisions and, ultimately, weapons effects.
What does combat-system integration actually mean?
A submarine’s combat system is essentially the technological nervous system connecting its sensors, communications, tactical information, and weapons.
A modern submarine can detect contacts using sonar and other sensors, build a picture of what is happening around it, determine whether a contact is a potential threat, and coordinate an appropriate response. Making all of those components work together reliably is the job of combat-system integration.
It is also an ongoing process rather than something completed when a submarine leaves the shipyard. Software, sensors, weapons and other components evolve throughout a submarine’s service life, requiring testing and integration to ensure new capabilities work with the rest of the system.
Australia’s Defense Department says the Combat System Integration Partner will help implement and test combat-system improvements and support submarine crews with maintenance and repair of the system.
Why Australia wants the capability at home
The objective is not simply to have Australian engineers working on American-designed equipment. Canberra wants to develop a sovereign integration capability that can support its own submarines over decades of operation.
That is particularly important for a fleet expected to remain in service for many years. A submarine’s combat system cannot simply be treated as a fixed piece of equipment; maintaining its effectiveness means continually integrating improvements as technology and operational requirements change.
Australia has already been involved with the AN/BYG-1 submarine combat control system, which is used by both Australian and U.S. submarines. The U.S. Navy describes AN/BYG-1 as a joint U.S.-Australian program and has been demonstrating its capabilities to AUKUS partners as part of broader efforts to ensure interoperability.
The new CSI capability builds on that broader experience while creating a larger Australian industrial and engineering base around the future Virginia fleet.
Building an Australian industrial base
Lockheed Martin says the contract will initially create more than 20 CSI engineering positions, with work beginning in Western Australia. Australia’s government previously said the broader CSI partner program could ultimately create around 100 additional jobs at Lockheed Martin Australia.
The companies will also examine Australia’s supply chain to identify local businesses that could contribute to Virginia-class combat-system integration.
That could become an important part of AUKUS. The partnership is not only about acquiring submarines and transferring technology; Australia is attempting to develop enough domestic expertise to operate, maintain and eventually sustain an advanced nuclear-powered submarine force.
The submarines behind the program
Australia’s future Virginia-class boats will be conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines operated under Australian command. The Australian government currently plans to acquire three Virginia-class submarines, with the first expected in the early 2030s.
The Virginia class is designed around long-duration submerged operations and combines nuclear propulsion with sophisticated sonar, combat-management and weapons systems. Australia’s future boats will therefore require a substantial technical workforce capable of supporting complex U.S.-origin systems within Australia’s own operational and maintenance structure. The CSI work is one piece of that much greater effort.
Australia is also building expertise through the broader AUKUS submarine ecosystem, including preparations for future SSN-AUKUS submarines that will eventually be designed and built jointly by Australia and the United Kingdom. The significance of the new contract is therefore less about the AUD$26.5 million itself and more about what it is intended to create.
Lockheed Martin has launched a new family of modular radio-frequency sensors, missile datalinks, and seeker technologies designed to help the United States and its allies respond faster to evolving battlefield threats.
Announced on August 10 in Orlando, Florida, the Strigo family uses common hardware and software architectures that can be rapidly reconfigured for air defense, missile defense, and air-to-surface engagements.
Lockheed has invested $250 million in a dedicated product center intended to move new technologies from initial concepts to tested systems in months rather than years.
Modular missile sensor tech for multiple missions
The Strigo portfolio is built around a common technical baseline, allowing Lockheed Martin to adapt individual solutions without developing every system from scratch.
This approach could shorten integration timelines while reducing development, lifecycle, and long-term sustainment costs.
Its technologies include RF sensors that detect and track targets, datalinks that allow missiles to receive updated information during flight, and seekers that guide weapons toward their targets.
Because these components are modular, they can be tailored to different weapons and operational requirements.
The architecture is intended to support a broad range of missions, including intercepting aircraft and missiles or striking targets on the ground.
It could also allow existing munitions to receive upgraded sensing and communications capabilities as new threats emerge.
Developing missile systems before formal demand
Lockheed Martin established the dedicated product center less than two years ago to accelerate the journey from concept to operational capability.
The facility functions as a storefront of ready and near-ready technologies that can be adapted to meet specific customer requirements.
Instead of waiting for the US military to formalize a requirement, engineers at the center conduct proactive research and build hardware around anticipated battlefield needs.
Lockheed said several concepts have already progressed from early design to successful testing.
Technologies developed through the modular family have also informed aspects of the seeker package for the Precision Strike Missile Increment 2.
The weapon is being developed to provide the US Army with a longer-range capability against moving maritime targets and other threats.
“By putting proactive research and development at the forefront, the Strigo Product Center lets us test and deploy new solutions at unprecedented speed. That’s how we turn ‘what if’ into ‘what’s next’ faster than ever before,” said Stacy Kubicek, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin Sensors and Global Sustainment.
Preparing for rapidly evolving threats
The $250 million investment reflects a wider defense-industry effort to increase missile production and accelerate the introduction of new capabilities.
Conflicts are demonstrating how quickly electronic warfare, countermeasures, and target profiles can change, placing pressure on traditional development cycles.
“Leveraging our deep expertise in advanced sensor and missile technologies, this long-term investment reshapes the way we develop and deliver next-generation, mission-ready capabilities, ensuring our warfighters have the solutions they need the moment threats evolve,” Kubicek added.
Lockheed plans to continue investing in RF sensors, missile seekers and datalinks.
The company says the technologies will support current efforts to accelerate munitions development while creating a foundation for future US military capabilities.
A routine security assessment found that cameras aboard Royal Navy Kraken unmanned surface vessels were sending "heartbeat" signals to an IP address in China. "A thorough investigation found no evidence of MoD data or systems being accessed, compromised or transmitted externally," said a Ministry of Defense spokesperson. "Our assurance and testing processes are designed to identify and address potential vulnerabilities early, and we continue to undertake routine security activity across our systems and equipment." The Register reports: According to reports, the talkative components were cameras sourced by Kraken from a third-party supplier. The incident raises questions about supply chains, audits, and cybersecurity in the British armed forces. The spokesperson said: "The first duty of government is national security, and we take the security of our equipment, networks, and data extremely seriously."
A decade ago, a United States carrier strike group departing San Diego could cross the Pacific with only intermittent detection. China might catch a glimpse — a satellite pass here, […]
A new era of naval operations is on the horizon, as Blue Water Autonomy’s unmanned ships leverage tightly integrated hardware, software, and AI to map the ocean floor and transform maritime research.
Blue Water Autonomy is rapidly turning unmanned ships from a concept into an operational reality.
After showcasing its Liberty Class autonomous vessel to the U.S. Navy, the company announced a wave of strategic partnerships tied to the Navy’s Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) program, which includes $6 billion in funding to scale up production.
Currently under construction at Conrad Shipyard, these vessels merge traditional shipbuilding expertise with AI-enabled production systems.
“Traditional shipbuilding doesn’t scale, and pure software approaches don’t deliver hardware,” said Rylan Hamilton, CEO of Blue Water Autonomy, on the company’s website.
“We’re doing both. Integrating proven marine systems with AI-driven manufacturing and operations to fundamentally rethink how ships are built. By distributing and parallelizing work across proven partners, we’re creating a production system that can move at the pace required for a modern maritime industrial base.”
The power of many
The company is harnessing the power of many to realize the future of shipbuilding. Its manufacturing model incorporates multiple industrial partners responsible for different parts of the impressive ship: Tulip will provide a manufacturing execution system, Caterpillar Defense will supply marine diesel engines, and Valsted will support the automation systems.
“Shipbuilding has always required extraordinary coordination, and we’re giving that coordination a software backbone,” explained Erik Mirandette, chief business officer at Tulip. “Tulip connects every step on the factory floor with real-time data and AI-native tools, so Blue Water can orchestrate production at scale, catch issues earlier, and build with the speed and reliability that modern maritime demands.”
Building on this initiative, Blue Water Autonomy is quickly expanding its reach. According to a recent news release, its unmanned, AI-powered vessel will now map the ocean floor—a mission the Navy sees as central to the future of military marine research. The Navy’s interest underscores its commitment to using the most advanced systems available for modern maritime operations.
Moving fast
On August 4, 2026, Blue Water Autonomy won a multiple-award contract with the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) to provide “high-resolution mapping using long-endurance uncrewed surface vessels” across the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The company added that deep open-ocean surveys are “among the most demanding work at sea,” and the goal extends well beyond mapping, as the Navy must navigate not only the seas, but also underwater acoustics. These conditions “shape how naval forces move and operate far from the shore.”
Traditionally, these missions relied on costly crewed vessels—often running tens of thousands of dollars a day and requiring travel far from shore. With uncrewed, AI-powered ships, NAVOCEANO and the Navy aim to reduce costs, minimize risk, and dramatically expand the scope of ocean research.
Thanks to AI, these vessels “can operate on the open ocean for months at a time.”
The multi-year NAVOCEANO contract comes with a $40 million ceiling, but Blue Water Autonomy will still have to compete for funding alongside other selected companies.
“Mapping the open ocean is exactly the kind of long, high-endurance work that autonomous vessels are built for,” said Rylan Hamilton, CEO of Blue Water Autonomy. “This selection puts our autonomy to work across the Indian and Pacific oceans, well beyond the range of a crewed survey ship, and it shows the technology we are building serves many different missions.”
As artificial intelligence and automation reshape the naval landscape, the need for large crews is diminishing—and machines may well steer the future of the world’s oceans.
Graham Corporation has secured two US defense contracts worth more than $43 million to supply equipment for the MK48 Mod 7 heavyweight torpedo and the country’s submarine fleet.
The New York-based manufacturer announced the awards on August 7.
The contracts cover alternators and regulators for the torpedo program and new MK19 Mod 2 air turbine pump assemblies for submarine spares, supporting the US Navy’s undersea warfare capabilities and fleet readiness.
Power systems for the MK48 torpedo
The first award exercises the fourth option year of an existing contract supporting the MK48 Mod 7 Heavyweight Torpedo program. It was awarded during Graham’s first quarter of fiscal 2027, which ended June 30, 2026.
Under the option, Graham will continue supplying alternators and regulators used within the torpedo system. Alternators generate electrical power, while regulators manage the resulting voltage and current to help onboard electronics operate reliably.
These components are particularly important in a heavyweight torpedo, where propulsion, guidance, sensing and control systems must function under demanding underwater conditions.
Reliable power management can support target acquisition and navigation while helping the weapon maintain performance throughout its mission.
The MK48 is launched from submarines and is designed to engage hostile submarines and surface ships.
Continued component orders also indicate that the US is sustaining and upgrading an established weapon as undersea competition becomes increasingly important.
Submarine pumps to arrive from 2028
Graham received the second contract during its fiscal 2027 second quarter, which ends September 30, 2026. The company will manufacture new-build MK19 Mod 2 air turbine pump assemblies for the submarine fleet’s spare-parts inventory.
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028 and continue through 2030. The extended delivery period could help the Navy maintain a dependable supply of replacement hardware for submarines already in service.
Air turbine pumps convert energy from pressurized air into mechanical pumping power.
On submarines, equipment of this kind can support essential fluid-handling functions in environments where compact construction, dependable operation and tight performance tolerances are critical.
Maintaining spare assemblies also reduces the risk of a component shortage keeping a submarine out of service for longer than necessary.
The contract therefore supports not only equipment production but also maintenance planning and operational availability.
$43 million added to defense backlog
Revenue from the MK48 Mod 7 and MK19 Mod 2 awards will be recorded in Graham’s fiscal 2027 first- and second-quarter backlog. The deals extend the company’s role as a supplier of specialized technologies for US defense platforms.
“These awards reflect the continued demand we’re seeing across our defense platforms, and demonstrate the durability of our customer relationships built over years of consistent execution,” said Matthew Malone, President and CEO of Graham Corporation.
“Our mission-critical applications remain vital in helping our customers meet high-level performance requirements. We’re proud to continue supporting the MK48 and submarine programs and look forward to building on this momentum,” he added.
Beyond defense, Graham develops fluid, power, heat-transfer, vacuum and advanced mixing technologies for the space, energy and process industries.
The latest awards reinforce how those engineering capabilities are being applied to torpedo reliability, submarine maintenance and the long-term readiness of America’s undersea fleet.
SAN FRANCISCO – The National Reconnaissance Office has awarded contracts to Capella Space, Iceye U.S. and Umbra to expand the U.S. government’s use of commercial synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The […]
When the Federal Aviation Administration shut down air traffic to El Paso Airport earlier this year, nobody could have guessed than an experimental high-energy laser weapon was the cause. After days of chaos and speculation, it was revealed that Customs and Border Patrol officials had fired off a laser volley from a US Army base adjacent the El Paso Airport.
Though the trigger-happy Border Patrol grunts evidently thought they were firing at drug-smuggling drones, their real target turned out to be a kids’ party balloon. Regardless, it was later reported that the cutting-edge weapon was taken for a test-drive a week before FAA and Pentagon officials had a chance to discuss how to safely implement the laser device, making it a small miracle that nobody in the air was killed.
Not every use of an experimental aerospace weapon goes off without a hitch, however.
New bombshell reporting by Wired reveals an incident in which the testing of an experimental GPS jammer resulted in a medical plane crashing into the side of a mountain.
The horrifying incident happened in May, the publication reports, when a small twin-engine medevac aircraft carrying two pilots and two medical workers departed from Roswell, New Mexico. Heading West for the small mountain village of Ruidoso, the crew became the victim of an electronic warfare exercise being conducted at the nearby White Sands Missile Range, a test which rendered their navigational system inoperable.
Due to a combination of low visibility and an air-traffic control that was stretched far beyond capacity — at least three other planes reported navigation disruptions due to the GPS jamming — the pilots failed to register a mountainous formation between their plane and the landing strip.
As airline pilot and aviation crash analyst Juan Browne told Wired, the visual effect of that approach would have been stupefying. “When those lights go out, man, you know you are in big trouble,” Browne explained.
Unfortunately, the disoriented crew ran straight into the side of a mountain they likely never saw, resulting in the loss of every life on board. It’s the first known instance where military GPS jamming played a role in downing a civilian plane in US airspace. Reported incidents of GPS jamming within the continental US have skyrocketed in recent years. According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the number of GPS interference events went from four in 2020 to 50 in 2024, and 40 across 2025.
After the initial publication of this piece, a spokesperson for the US Army provided a statement in response.
“The Army is aware of the release of the NTSB’s preliminary report into the crash of a civilian medical evacuation flight on May 14 in the vicinity of Ruidoso, New Mexico,” it read. “As the incident remains under investigation, we cannot comment at this time.”
Though the crew involved in the New Mexico crash was warned that GPS interference may be present, there evidently weren’t enough safeguards or air traffic control personnel in place to prevent a tragedy.
China has released new footage highlighting tests aboard its Type 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan, including the vessel’s first publicly disclosed live-fire launch of countermeasures and an electromagnetic catapult test using a dead load.
The Sichuan features a new propulsion system and an electromagnetic catapult designed to support future unmanned operations at sea, marking a step toward expanding China’s naval aviation capabilities beyond traditional carrier-based platforms.
Military observers noted that the dead load test represents an early-stage evaluation carried out before full aircraft launch trials, helping validate the performance and reliability of the electromagnetic launch system.
Operational readiness with electromagnetic catapult trial
The successful completion of the electromagnetic catapult test during the construction phase of the Type 076 amphibious assault ship suggests that the system has reached an operational and reliable stage, according to military observers.
The vessel has already completed multiple sea trials, fueling expectations that it could soon enter service. Observers also anticipate the future release of footage showing the ship conducting launches of actual carrier-based aircraft, which would provide further insight into its capabilities, Global Timesreported.
Chinese military affairs expert Song Zhongping said the Type 076 amphibious assault ship marks a significant technological advance, introducing new possibilities for naval operations. Speaking to the Global Times on Saturday, he noted that the vessel addresses the challenge of deploying carrier-based aircraft from amphibious assault ships while also driving innovation in future maritime operational concepts.
The Type 076 combines technologies developed for China’s Type 075 amphibious assault ship and Type 003 aircraft carrier, bringing together existing systems to create a more advanced naval platform. According to Song, the integration of these technologies improvaes the ship’s overall capabilities and demonstrates China’s progress in electromagnetic catapult systems and related technologies.
Enabling longer-range drone missions with heavier payloads
The electromagnetic catapult system aboard the Type 076 is expected to expand the range of aircraft the ship can deploy, supporting both manned fighter jets and larger unmanned aircraft. According to Song, the technology could allow drones to operate with heavier payloads and greater endurance, enabling them to carry additional equipment or weapons for longer-range missions.
Launched in December 2024, the Sichuan began its first sea trials in November 2025, according to Xinhua News Agency. The vessel has a full-load displacement of more than 40,000 tons and features a twin-island superstructure, a full-length flight deck, and newly integrated electromagnetic catapult and arrestor systems.
These technologies are designed to improve aircraft launch and recovery capabilities while expanding the operational flexibility of the ship. Furthermore, the vessel is designed as a multi-role naval platform capable of supporting a range of operations, including the deployment of fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and amphibious equipment.
Chinese media note that the ship has successfully completed multiple rounds of sea trials, allowing engineers and naval crews to evaluate its systems, performance, and operational readiness ahead of its expected commissioning.
The United States is moving to expand its domestic drone manufacturing base after Performance Drone Works (PDW) received a conditional loan commitment of up to $820 million from the Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital (OSC). Rather than focusing solely on producing more drones, the proposed funding aims is address one of the industry’s biggest vulnerabilities: reliance on foreign-controlled supply chains for critical drone components.
If finalized, the financing would help expand U.S. production capacity for propulsion systems, power electronics, flight-control hardware, vision systems, and other key technologies used in drones, robotics, and autonomous platforms.
Building the industrial base behind military drones
Modern military drones are only as resilient as the supply chains that support them. While the United States develops some of the world’s most advanced unmanned systems, many of the electronic components and subsystems that power them continue to come from overseas suppliers.
According to the company, the proposed investment would allow PDW to manufacture many of these critical technologies domestically while also supplying components to other American drone manufacturers. The initiative reflects broader efforts to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base as demand for unmanned systems continues to grow.
The company currently operates Drone Factory 01, a 90,000-square-foot engineering and manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama, where engineering, systems integration, flight testing, manufacturing, and fulfillment are carried out under one roof.
Lessons from modern warfare
The announcement comes as drones have become one of the defining technologies of modern conflict. From intelligence gathering and precision strikes to logistics and electronic warfare, unmanned systems are now central to military operations across multiple theaters.
Recent conflicts have also exposed the importance of manufacturing capacity. Producing advanced drones at scale requires a reliable supply of motors, batteries, flight controllers, sensors, cameras, communications equipment, and propulsion systems. Many of these have historically depended on international supply chains.
By investing in domestic production of these technologies, the United States aims to reduce potential supply disruptions while improving the ability to rapidly manufacture mission-critical systems when required.
Beyond defense applications
Although the proposed financing is driven by national security priorities, the manufacturing capability could extend beyond military use. PDW said the expanded production capacity is intended to support future public safety, industrial, and commercial applications in addition to meeting defense requirements. A stronger domestic component ecosystem could also benefit the wider U.S. drone industry by providing American-made alternatives for manufacturers that currently rely on imported hardware.
The Office of Strategic Capital was established to help finance technologies considered important to long-term U.S. national security and industrial competitiveness, particularly in areas where private investment alone may not be sufficient to rapidly scale manufacturing.
Funding remains conditional
The proposed $820 million financing has not yet been finalized. According to the announcement, the commitment remains conditional and is subject to additional financial, legal, technical, and due diligence requirements before reaching financial close.
Even so, the size of the proposed investment illustrates how drone manufacturing has become a strategic priority for the United States. As militaries increasingly rely on autonomous systems across air, land, and sea, building secure domestic supply chains for the components behind those platforms is emerging as an important part of maintaining technological and industrial competitiveness.
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