Ukraine is getting more help in its war with Russia. A Patriot air-defense system that was based in Israel will be sent to Ukraine after it is refurbished, four current and former U.S. officials said in recent days, and Western allies are discussing the logistics of Germany or Greece giving another one.
Laser-toting satellites capable of taking out missiles have long been the stuff of science fiction. President Trump is asking defense contractors to make the idea a reality. Trump is looking to create a defense system that he calls the Golden Dome for America. It is envisioned to be a cutting-edge system of space and ground technology, with the goal of defending the U.S. against high-tech missile threats and potential attacks.
Israel will call up tens of thousands of reservists, military officials said May 4, as the country’s political leadership considers expanding the Israel Defense Forces’ area of operations and overhauling the distribution of food within the Gaza Strip.
Procurement of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle for the U.S. Army may end as part of a wide-ranging force-structure overhaul, which raises questions about whether the service may look to retire the fleet sooner than expected. This comes as the drone’s manufacturer continues to develop modernized versions of the Gray Eagle, as well as add new equipment and capabilities.
“The Department of Defense is facing a stark reality: Its current acquisition model is a relic of the past, unable to keep pace with the lightning-fast evolution of modern warfare. While the DOD recognizes this problem, the speed of change remains slow. The recent SECDEF mandate for the Software Acquisition Pathway is an important step toward embracing agile acquisition, but it’s only the first step. We need a fundamental shift, including in how we measure success,” write retired Lt. Gen. S. Clinton Hinote, former head of Air Force Futures, and Nathan Parker, chief executive officer of Edge Case.
As the Army continues defining its role in the space domain, the service has established an enlisted military occupation specialty for Soldiers specializing in providing space-based capabilities on the battlefield.
The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit plans to issue a solicitation for low-collateral counter-drone technology next week, part of the second iteration of its Replicator rapid-fielding effort that’s focused on helping the Pentagon protect its installations from small-drone attacks.
There were a lot of big vehicles—some amphibious, with fresh camo paint—on display at the Modern Day Marine conference this week. But the smaller ones with the ability to drive themselves around stole the show.
In this Aerospace Advantage episode, we discuss top Air Force and Space Force developments in Washington, D.C., and beyond. Topics include the latest defense budget plus-up via reconciliation and what this means for air and space power; INDOPACOM commander Adm. Samuel Paparo’s testimony regarding airpower gaps in the Pacific, and Lockheed’s new vision for the F-35 in the wake of Boeing winning the F-47 competition. The team explores two of the Space Force’s new foundational documents: Space Force Doctrine Document 1 and Space Warfighting, a Framework for Planners.
Another stretch of federal land along the border has been transferred to the U.S. military, this time in Texas, expanding the territory in which troops can be used to apprehend migrants and the government can pursue trespassing charges.
A mainstay of warfare since World War I and World War II, close air support has evolved considerably in the decades and conflicts since. As venerable and iconic airframes like the A-10 Warthog face retirement and new aircraft are introduced, like the Skyraider II, which looks like an up-armored crop duster, what will the future of CAS look like?
