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Chinese Scientists Warn of Potential for Lunar Warfare Amidst Earthly Conflicts

Chinese Scientists Warn of Potential for Lunar Warfare Amidst Earthly Conflicts

Chinese aerospace researchers have published a study exploring the potential for terrestrial conflicts to extend into the vast cislunar space, the region between Earth and the Moon. The study, detailed in the Chinese-language Journal of Command and Control, models scenarios where rival spacecraft engage in evasive maneuvers, pursue each other, bypass defenses, and even block strategic routes. According to a team from Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xian, spacecraft could utilize the Moon's complex gravitational environment to hide, making their trajectories difficult to predict, before emerging to target objects closer to Earth. Additionally, these craft could be positioned at 'choke points'—areas where crucial or fuel-efficient routes converge—to intercept adversaries, potentially forcing them into less efficient paths or requiring them to break through. The researchers argue that such capabilities could exert influence without direct confrontation, compelling adversaries to alter mission plans, ...

Galapagos Federal Systems Seeks Junior Logistics Support for Space Delta 11 in Colorado Springs

Galapagos Federal Systems Seeks Junior Logistics Support for Space Delta 11 in Colorado Springs

Galapagos Federal Systems LLC is actively recruiting a Junior Logistics Support Analyst in Colorado Springs, CO. This role is designed to bolster the Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) Delta 11 Logistics Management Team. The position requires an individual with foundational experience in Department of Defense (DoD) logistics, with a preference for candidates who have supported the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force. The primary responsibilities include providing daily logistics, property management, and administrative support to the Space Delta 11 Logistics Office. This involves utilizing approved DoD Accountable Property Systems of Record (APSRs) to track, inventory, and maintain accountability for IT, communications, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS), and range training equipment. The analyst will also assist with property inventory, asset tracking, and equipment accountability to ensure accurate records, and prepare shipping, receiving, and property transfer documentation, including DD Form 11...

Lockheed Martin Expands F-35 Industrial Cooperation with Czech Firms for Component Production, R, and Training

Lockheed Martin Expands F-35 Industrial Cooperation with Czech Firms for Component Production, R, and Training

Lockheed Martin Expands F-35 Industrial Cooperation with Czech Firms for Component Production, R, and Training

NRO, NGA, and Space Force Resolve Commercial ISR Acquisition Disputes Through New Agreements

NRO, NGA, and Space Force Resolve Commercial ISR Acquisition Disputes Through New Agreements

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), and U.S. Space Force have resolved long-standing disputes regarding the acquisition and management of commercial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data. These conflicts arose from unclear boundaries and overlapping responsibilities, particularly after the Space Force's establishment in 2019. The NRO is the primary acquirer of ISR imagery for the intelligence community and the Department of War, while the NGA oversees the purchase of analytic products and distribution of ISR to federal users. The Space Force's introduction of the Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Tracking (TacSRT) program in 2024, designed to directly connect field components with commercial vendors for critical data, further exacerbated tensions. Additionally, disagreements emerged over the dissemination of data from Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) sensors, with NGA historically responsible for tasking and priority acce...

US Army Awards AeroVironment $464.8 Million Contract for Laser Weapons After Border Deployment

US Army Awards AeroVironment $464.8 Million Contract for Laser Weapons After Border Deployment

The US Army has awarded AeroVironment a $464.8 million contract for its Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, marking what the company claims is the first production order for directed energy weapons in American history. This contract follows the recent deployment of similar laser technology by a task force under US Northern Command, which successfully used a high-energy laser to bring down three drones near the Mexican border in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, in late August. The systems used at the border were 20-kilowatt prototypes from the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser program, while the new production contract is for 30-kilowatt LOCUST X3 systems. These systems are designed to counter small to medium unmanned aircraft (Group 1 to 3 drones) and will be integrated onto Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, with potential for Infantry Squad Vehicles. AeroVironment will also provide support and training.

B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber Identified as Most Expensive Aircraft Ever Built

B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber Identified as Most Expensive Aircraft Ever Built

The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber holds the distinction of being the most expensive aircraft ever built, with a program cost reaching approximately $2.1 billion per unit. This high cost is attributed to its limited production run of only 21 aircraft, which spread massive research and development (R&D) expenses across a small fleet. The B-2 Spirit, operated exclusively by the United States Air Force, was designed during the Cold War as a long-range stealth bomber capable of penetrating dense air defenses with nuclear or conventional weapons. Its technical cost drivers include a radical flying wing design, advanced stealth technology utilizing radar-absorbent materials and precise shaping, specialized avionics for navigation, communications, and targeting, and complex fly-by-wire systems for stable flight. The aircraft also requires specialized climate-controlled storage facilities and demands about 119 hours of maintenance for each hour of flight. The B-2 Spirit first flew in 1989, entered service in 1997, and ...

U.S. Army Tests 'FireAnt' Ground Drones on Bradley Fighting Vehicles for Enhanced Battlefield Reconnaissance

U.S. Army Tests 'FireAnt' Ground Drones on Bradley Fighting Vehicles for Enhanced Battlefield Reconnaissance

The U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division is field-testing small, expendable ground robots called 'FireAnts,' developed by Swarmbotics AI. These 70-pound, four-wheeled machines are designed to be carried on the side of a Bradley M2A4 fighting vehicle, in the brackets typically used for explosive reactive armor. The concept, observed in footage released by Swarmbotics AI, involves deploying these robots into dangerous areas like trenches or dugouts ahead of infantry squads, allowing soldiers to remain protected inside the Bradley. The FireAnts are part of a family of robots called ANTS (Attritable Networked Tactical Swarm) and can be configured with various payloads, including cameras, jammers, radio relays, counter-drone shooters, or even warheads. This testing is part of the Army's Transformation in Contact program, with the 1st Cavalry running a test series called Pegasus Charge 3. The Army has also awarded a $2 million contract for autonomous vehicles from the same competition.

Lawmakers Express Concerns Over Army's Decision to Scale Back Specialized Drone Warfare Unit

Lawmakers Express Concerns Over Army's Decision to Scale Back Specialized Drone Warfare Unit

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has voiced significant concerns regarding the Army's recent decision to order the 173rd Airborne Brigade to cease its specialization in drone warfare and refocus on its core mission as an airborne infantry unit. This directive, issued by Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the Army’s acting chief of staff, follows the ousting of the previous Army chief of staff, Gen. Randy George, who had been a strong advocate for integrating drones into Army tactics. The lawmakers, including Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, independent Sen. Angus King, and Republican Rep. Mike Turner, sent a letter to departing Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Gen. LaNeve, requesting a briefing to understand the rationale behind this change. They highlighted that the specialized unit was a proactive response to the rapidly evolving nature of modern warfare, where uncrewed systems are becoming increasingly critical. The unit, active for less than a year, was involved in building its own...

U.S. Military Maintains Dominance with Over 600 Air Refueling Aircraft

U.S. Military Maintains Dominance with Over 600 Air Refueling Aircraft

The United States military possesses a significant and often overlooked advantage in its fleet of over 600 air refueling aircraft. This number far surpasses that of any other nation, collectively exceeding the total number of refueling aircraft operated by all other countries combined. According to GlobalFirePower.com's 2026 data, the U.S. operates 610 refueling aircraft, while the next closest country, Saudi Arabia, has 22. Russia operates 18, France 15, and Israel 11, with China possessing only nine. This extensive fleet allows U.S. tactical aircraft to achieve global reach and sustain operations for extended periods, overcoming the inherent limitations of aircraft fuel capacity.

US Marine Corps to Implement 3D Scanners for Detecting Body Armor Defects

US Marine Corps to Implement 3D Scanners for Detecting Body Armor Defects

The U.S. Marine Corps is planning to acquire high-resolution 3D scanners to detect cracks and delaminations in body armor plates. This initiative aims to enhance the inspection process for Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts and United States Marine Corps Lightweight Plates. The Marine Corps has issued a Request For Information (RFI) seeking automated commercial systems that utilize computed tomography (CT) scanning technology. CT scanning, commonly used in medical imaging and airport security, creates detailed 3D images, offering a more thorough inspection than traditional 2D X-rays. The plan includes setting up 10 CT scanners: six in the continental U.S., two in Japan, and one each in Hawaii and Guam. Currently, the Marine Corps uses X-rays to detect cracked ceramics and a 'tap test' to identify deformed polyethylene layers, which involves listening for a 'thud' sound indicating a defect. While CT scanning was previously considered too expensive and labor-intensive, the new RFI seeks automated systems...

Israeli Newspaper Proposes Debt Forgiveness for U.S. Citizens Joining Iran Invasion

Israeli Newspaper Proposes Debt Forgiveness for U.S. Citizens Joining Iran Invasion

An opinion column published in an Israeli newspaper, the Jerusalem Post, has suggested a controversial proposal: that the U.S. government should forgive the loans of young Americans if they agree to join a ground invasion of Iran. The author of the piece, AJ Jaff, a retired officer of the Canadian Armed Forces, argues that a U.S. war against Iran cannot be won solely through aerial bombardment and would necessitate a ground occupation requiring between 750,000 and 1.5 million American troops. Jaff contends that current U.S. military recruitment numbers are insufficient for such an undertaking. He proposes a federally administered debt-forgiveness enlistment program that would discharge student loans, credit card balances, and other personal loans after 24 or 36 months of service, and extend GI Bill benefits, as a means to attract the necessary number of recruits from the debt-laden demographic of Americans aged 18 to 34.

U.S. Defense Trio Partners with Taiwan to Develop China-Free Drone Supply Chain

U.S. Defense Trio Partners with Taiwan to Develop China-Free Drone Supply Chain

A collaboration between Aerkomm Inc., Foxconn-linked GTOC Tactical Technology, and San Diego's Firestorm Labs aims to establish a 'non-red,' China-free drone supply chain in Taiwan. This initiative follows an incident on January 17, 2026, where a Chinese WZ-7 'Soaring Dragon' drone entered Taiwan-controlled airspace, highlighting a gap in Taiwan's air defense capabilities. The partnership seeks to build local capacity for rapid drone production, integrating Firestorm's 3D-printing technology with Taiwanese manufacturing. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim has emphasized that all government drone production and procurement, both military and civilian, should adhere to a fully 'non-red' supply chain due to geopolitical and cybersecurity concerns. Taiwan plans to invest NT$44.2 billion (US$1.38 billion) over five years to expand its domestic UAV sector, with a goal of producing 180,000 units annually by 2028, free of Chinese components. This push is driven by the need for deterrence and 'peace through strength' ami...