Elon Musk’s tweets criticizing Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as “obsolete in the age of drones” have put defense contractors on alert. The comments led to significant market reactions, including a drop in Lockheed’s stock price, and raised concerns about reforms under President-elect Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), co-led by Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Analysts like Todd Harrison warn contractors to avoid drawing scrutiny, as programs like the F-35 could be targeted as symbols of defense inefficiencies. Byron Callan urges companies to proactively address the need for acquisition reform by collaborating with lawmakers and industry associations to present […]
Category: USA
Space Force looks to bulk up against anti-satellite weapons
#analysis The U.S. Space Force is accelerating efforts to counter threats from anti-satellite weapons (ASATs) posed by adversaries like Russia and China, focusing on modernizing its Space Surveillance Network (SSN) and developing advanced defense systems. Efforts include deploying hundreds of smaller, cost-effective satellites in low-Earth orbit to enhance resilience and tracking, while new systems like the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) aim to bolster deep-space monitoring. Partnerships with private industry are being expanded to integrate commercial satellite capabilities into military networks, leveraging innovation for defense. Challenges remain, including outdated infrastructure, funding constraints, and the growing complexity of space threats, […]
Elon Musk Criticizes F-35 Program Amid Improving Drone Technology
Elon Musk criticized the F-35 program on social media, calling its developers “idiots” for focusing on manned jets instead of advancing drone technology. He suggested that a remote-controlled drone fighter could outperform the F-35, which is projected to cost over $2 trillion during its lifespan, with 1,000 jets already delivered. Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy plan to address such inefficiencies when they begin advising President-elect Donald Trump in 2025. In defense, Lockheed Martin described the F-35 as “the most advanced, survivable, and connected fighter aircraft in the world,” vital to modern operations. A Pentagon spokesperson affirmed the aircraft’s combat capability and […]
Romania makes formal commitment to acquire 32 F-35As
Romania has finalized a deal to acquire conventional take-off and landing F-35A variants, following U.S. export approval two months ago. The country already operates F-16A fighters, and the new F-35As will integrate seamlessly with its existing fleet. Lockheed Martin’s Mara Motherway highlighted the F-35’s role in enhancing NATO’s next-generation air power capability across Europe. Program General Manager Bridget Lauderdale emphasized that the acquisition strengthens Romania’s national security and deterrence. This purchase marks a significant step in Romania’s defense modernization and its commitment to alliance-based deterrence. Original news
Lockheed Martin teams with Iceye to advance AI-enabled targeting
Lockheed Martin is collaborating with Finnish radar imaging satellite company Iceye to advance AI-powered target recognition for Finland’s military. Announced on Nov. 20, the partnership focuses on developing AI algorithms using Iceye’s synthetic aperture radar imagery to support Finland’s F-35 tactical aviation program. Lockheed Martin’s AI expert Jonathon Brant emphasized the importance of “multi-modal data fusion” for improving decision-making through near real-time intelligence. Brant also addressed the cybersecurity challenges of AI, highlighting Lockheed Martin’s work with NIST to establish standards for protecting AI systems from adversarial machine learning threats. This initiative reflects a strategic push to integrate cutting-edge AI technology […]
Biden Orders $275M Weapons Package For Ukraine
President Biden has approved a $275 million weapons package for Ukraine, including HIMARS munitions, artillery, and anti-tank weapons. This is part of a broader effort to allocate $7 billion in security assistance before Biden’s term ends in January. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to Ukraine’s battlefield success both now and in the future. The package, funded through Presidential Drawdown Authority, includes a variety of military equipment and support services. This aid underscores the U.S. dedication to bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities amid ongoing conflict. Original news
Norway puts France, Germany, UK and US in the frame for future frigate partnership
Norway has shortlisted France, Germany, the UK, and the US for a strategic partnership to support future frigate acquisitions, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence announced Wednesday. The partnership will encompass the joint acquisition, operation, and maintenance of the new frigates, with a partner selection expected by 2025. This initiative reflects Norway’s broader defense strategy, emphasizing joint procurement efforts, such as its submarine collaboration with Germany. Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram highlighted the importance of the investment, stating it will bolster both national and NATO maritime security. The move underscores Norway’s commitment to enhancing its naval capabilities in alignment with allied […]
AeroVironment Acquires BlueHalo In $4.1 Billion Deal
AeroVironment, a leading manufacturer of unmanned systems, is set to acquire technology firm BlueHalo in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $4.1 billion, aiming to become a significant force in the unmanned systems market. The merger is projected to generate over $1.7 billion in combined annual revenue, with BlueHalo contributing more than $900 million in revenues for 2024. While AeroVironment specializes in unmanned systems like its widely used Switchblade loitering munitions, BlueHalo has expertise in space technologies, counter-UAS, directed energy, and electronic warfare. The union is expected to enhance product offerings and drive innovation, leveraging a shared culture focused on […]
US, Japan, Australia broaden exercises, set target for live-fire drill
Officials from the US, Japan, and Australia have announced plans to expand their joint military exercises, which will include a new live-fire drill set to take place in 2027. The collaborative efforts were revealed during a meeting at a military base in Darwin, Australia, signaling a deepening of military ties among the three nations. Beginning next year, Japan will dispatch a brigade to train alongside US and Australian forces, with the inaugural joint exercise, Talisman Sabre, scheduled to occur in Queensland in 2025. Following a significant agreement two years ago, which allows Japanese and Australian militaries to access each other’s […]
Pentagon Fails Audit For 7th Consecutive Year
The Pentagon disclosed the results of its fiscal 2024 annual audit after business hours on Friday, marking the seventh consecutive year of failing to achieve a clean financial statement. Despite this, Michael McCord, the Department of Defense Under Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, emphasized the progress being made, asserting that the department is gaining momentum and a deeper understanding of the underlying challenges. The audit involved scrutiny by the DoD’s Office of Inspector General and an independent accounting firm, which assessed $4.1 trillion in assets and $4.3 trillion in liabilities, across 28 entities including military branches and the Military Retirement […]
US Space Force Seeks Affordable GPS Satellites
The US Space Force is planning a transformative shift in its GPS satellite fleet, aiming for smaller, cheaper, and more resilient spacecraft by collaborating with both commercial and defense firms. Four companies, Sierra Space, L3Harris, Astranis, and Axient (recently acquired by Astrion), have secured contracts to develop early concept designs for the Resilient GPS program, with a selection process for finalizing designs and building prototypes set to occur within the next five to eight months. This initiative, costing an estimated $1 billion over five years, addresses the growing concerns over GPS vulnerabilities highlighted by frequent signal jamming and spoofing incidents, […]
US Army selects RTX Raytheon as supplier of a wireless power beaming technology
The US Army has awarded Raytheon Technologies (RTX Raytheon) a contract to develop directed energy wireless power beaming capabilities, aiming to enhance power distribution on the battlefield and streamline logistics. The contract encompasses the development of sophisticated wireless power transmitter and receiver technologies. These technologies are intended to extend the operational capabilities of both crewed and uncrewed military platforms. A spokesperson from Raytheon discussed with Shephard Media that the wireless power solutions being developed will support the army’s warfighting infrastructure. This initiative represents a significant advancement in military technology, focusing on operational efficiency and effectiveness. Original news
South-Korea, US, Japan to hold 2nd trilateral Freedom Edge exercise
South Korea, the United States, and Japan have commenced their second trilateral multi-domain exercise, Freedom Edge, demonstrating joint deterrence against North Korean threats. This three-day drill, occurring in international waters near South Korea’s Jeju Island, involves advanced naval and air assets, including the USS George Washington, F-35 stealth fighters, and destroyers from South Korea and Japan. The exercise focuses on areas such as air defense, ballistic missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction, and cyber defense. The initiative follows agreements from high-level summits to conduct annual multidomain drills to counter evolving threats from North Korea. Amid deepening North Korea-Russia alignment, the […]
US Opens Missile Base In Poland
The United States will open a new air defense base in northern Poland on Wednesday, aimed at bolstering NATO’s security presence amid regional concerns following Donald Trump’s presidential election. Located in Redzikowo near the Baltic coast, this base has been in development since the 2000s and symbolizes Poland’s enduring alliance with the U.S. Known as “Aegis Ashore,” it is part of NATO’s missile defense system designed to intercept short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. The broader defense system also includes a second Aegis Ashore site in Romania, U.S. Navy destroyers in Rota, Spain, and an early-warning radar in Kurecik, Turkey. This […]
Pentagon Invests $160 Million In Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing Through CHIPS Act.
The U.S. Department of Defense has announced a $160 million investment from the CHIPS and Science Act to support the Microelectronics Commons, aiming to strengthen domestic semiconductor development. Arati Prabhakar, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, highlighted the importance of advanced semiconductor technology for U.S. military strength. The majority of the funding, $148 million, will go toward infrastructure, operations, and workforce training at eight microelectronics hubs nationwide. Another $10 million will facilitate a Cross-Hub Enablement Solution to connect these hubs, and $2 million is allocated for a prototype project at the Silicon Crossroads Hub. This investment underscores the […]