Trap of War

Lockheed Martin has committed a $50 million investment into Saildrone, establishing a strategic collaboration aimed at rapidly scaling unmanned maritime defense capabilities. The partnership will combine Saildrone’s established unmanned surface vessel platforms with Lockheed Martin’s combat-proven defense technologies and mission integration expertise. The objective is to deliver defense-ready USVs to operational fleets at an accelerated pace. Surveyor-class unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). Credit: Saildrone The collaboration is structured to advance the Navy’s unmanned vision at scale. Work begins immediately with the integration of the JAGM Quad Launcher onto Saildrone’s Surveyor platform, followed by expansion to additional Lockheed Martin payloads across multiple USV classes. This initial step is intended to demonstrate how commercial-grade autonomous platforms can be transformed into multi-mission maritime assets capable of fleet defense, undersea surveillance, reconnaissance, a...

Saab has announced that it has secured a significant order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, FMV, for the Trackfire Remote Weapon Station. The contract, valued at approximately SEK 1.5 billion, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, with deliveries scheduled to take place between 2026 and 2028. Trackfire RWS. Credit: SAAB The Trackfire system is designed as a stabilized, remotely operated weapon station suitable for both land and naval platforms. It is intended for roles such as anti-surface warfare, counter-unmanned aerial systems, general support missions, and force protection.  The order is closely tied to the Amphibious Battalion 2030 program, which is part of Sweden’s broader effort to strengthen future amphibious capabilities within the armed forces. The Swedish Army will also benefit from this procurement, reinforcing its modernization initiatives. Credit: SAAB Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s business area Surveillance, emphasized the importance o...

Elbit America has announced the completion of the first production model of the Sigma NG 155 millimetre self-propelled howitzer at its facility in South Carolina, marking a significant step in advancing artillery modernization efforts within the United States. Credit: Elbit America The Sigma NG itself is a 155mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzer designed with a crew of three—commander, gunner, and driver—operating from an armored cab. It is mounted on a high-mobility 10x10 wheeled platform capable of rapid deployment, transitioning from travel to firing in less than one minute. The system incorporates a fully automated loading, laying, and firing mechanism, supported by an onboard magazine that holds 40 rounds including projectiles, propellants, and fuzes. In terms of performance, the Sigma NG achieves a firing rate of more than eight rounds per minute, with the ability to reach up to nine. Its range exceeds 40 kilometers with standard ammunition, extends beyond 50 kilometers with r...

The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has awarded a contract to ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH, a subsidiary of Hensoldt, to integrate kinetic effectors into the “Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System” (ASUL). According to a notice published on the European procurement platform TED, this upgrade is intended to expand the system’s capability to defeat small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) through physical means in addition to existing electronic countermeasures. Credit: Bundeswehr/Dirk Bannert The ASUL system, also referred to as AZUL in earlier reports, was developed by ESG to provide stationary protection for Bundeswehr bases against hostile drones. It merges radar, optical sensors, and RF direction finders for detection and identification, while employing electromagnetic interference transmitters to disrupt control signals over several kilometers. These jamming devices represent the system’s current softkill capability...

Northrop Grumman has been selected through a competitive process to deliver the U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft (MUX TACAIR) Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). This program integrates Northrop Grumman’s expertise in autonomous systems with Kratos’ Valkyrie uncrewed aerial vehicle, enabling joint operations with crewed fighters to secure air superiority in contested environments. Stealth F-35 Flies with Kratos XQ-58A. Photo Credit: U.S. Marine Corps Northrop Grumman has engineered its mission systems into a compact and cost-efficient package tailored for uncrewed platforms. This missionized CCA integrates survivability, connectivity, lethality, and supportability, combining proven product lines with advanced technologies. More than 20 flight demonstrations have already validated the system in operationally relevant conditions, offering the Marine Corps a low-risk and accelerated path to expeditionary air combat capability. The c...

Derco, a Lockheed Martin Company, has secured the C-130 Aviation Consumables Performance Based Logistics (ACPBL) contract from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). This award represents a major milestone in Derco’s more than four decades of providing sustainment services to the aerospace and defense sectors, reinforcing its role in accelerating mission readiness. It also establishes the first outcome-driven program between DLA and Lockheed Martin under this initiative. C-130 Hercules. Credit: Lockheed Martin The Defense Logistics Agency serves as the Department of Defense’s central combat logistics support organization, overseeing the global supply chain for U.S. military services, combatant commands, and allied forces. Its responsibilities extend from procurement and storage to distribution and disposal, covering critical items such as repair parts, medical supplies, fuel, food, and uniforms. By ensuring material availability across diverse domains, the agency plays a pivotal role in ...

Elbit Systems has won a $150 million contract to supply its Iron Fist protection system to CV90 manufacturer BAE Systems Hägglunds, following an order from one of NATO’s member nations. Credit: Elbit Systems A few months before this contract was signed, the company carried out a live demonstration in Europe in September 2025 to showcase Iron Fist’s ability to intercept kinetic energy penetrators. During the trial, the system successfully neutralized more than a dozen 120mm APFSDS rounds. These armor‑piercing projectiles were broken into smaller fragments and deflected, ensuring that any residual debris striking the armored vehicle carried significantly reduced penetration energy. Iron Fist is designed as a modern active protection system capable of providing full 360-degree coverage for armored platforms. It offers defense against anti-tank rockets, guided missiles, unmanned aerial systems, loitering munitions, and in heavier configurations, even tank-fired kinetic and HEAT rounds. T...

Lockheed Martin has entered into a landmark framework agreement with the U.S. Department of War aimed at rapidly accelerating the production and delivery of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors. This strategic partnership is designed to sustain production at scale, raising annual output from roughly 600 to 2,000 units over a seven-year period. The initiative is intended to strengthen the capabilities of U.S. forces while also supporting allied and partner nations. PAC-3 MSE. Credit: Lockheed Martin The PAC-3 MSE interceptor has become a critical component of modern air defense, with its operational record underscoring its importance. In Ukraine, the system has successfully intercepted Russian cruise and ballistic missiles, including hypersonic threats such as the Kinzhal. The first confirmed intercept of a Russian Kinzhal missile in May 2023 marked a significant milestone in missile defense history, demonstrating the system’s ability to counter advanced threats. Lockh...

Rheinmetall and MBDA in Germany are preparing to establish a joint venture in the first quarter of 2026, focusing on naval laser weapon activities. Building on their cooperation that began in 2019 and the successful deployment of a naval laser demonstrator, the new entity will be tasked with developing and delivering advanced, high-performance laser weapon systems, initially intended for naval applications. Credit: Rheinmetall & MBDA The naval laser demonstrator, after completing a one-year operational trial at sea, was transferred to the Laser Competence Centre of the Military Technical Service for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in Meppen. There, it was reactivated and continues to be employed for further land-based testing, particularly in drone defense scenarios. During its sea deployment, the system underwent more than 100 firing and tracking exercises against a variety of targets, including tests conducted under “Blue Sky” conditions without reliance on terrain to capture th...

Boeing has officially handed over the first B-52J Radar Modernization Program flight test aircraft to the United States Air Force. The aircraft, now under the responsibility of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base in California, has been equipped with the AN/APQ-188 active electronically scanned array radar, a system comparable to those typically found on advanced fighter aircraft. The first B-52J equipped with the upgraded AN/APQ-188 radar has successfully been ferried to Edwards Air Force Base. Credit: Boeing The B-52J configuration represents a comprehensive modernization of the long-serving B-52H. Among its most significant changes are the installation of Rolls-Royce F130 engines to replace the aging TF33s, which will deliver improved fuel efficiency, extended range, greater reliability, and reduced maintenance demands. The aircraft also incorporates a digital cockpit with large high-definition touchscreens, modern mission computers, and enhanced avionics designed to inte...

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS has confirmed the signing of a fifth follow-on agreement with Japan to supply the Joint Strike Missile for integration into the nation’s fleet of F-35A fighter aircraft. The deal carries a value exceeding NOK 800 million and marks another step in the ongoing cooperation between the company and Japan’s Ministry of Defense. Credit: Kongsberg The Joint Strike Missile is a modern, fifth-generation air-launched cruise weapon designed to engage both land-based and maritime targets. Developed with a stealth profile, the missile is optimized for internal carriage on the F-35A and F-35C, ensuring the aircraft maintains its low observable characteristics during missions. Technical specifications highlight the missile’s compact yet capable design. It weighs 416 kilograms, measures four meters in length, and has a diameter of 0.48 meters when stowed. The height in stowed configuration is 0.52 meters. Powered by a small turbofan engine, the missile achieves hi...

The third satellite of the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG) constellation, developed by Thales Alenia Space and jointly managed by the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defense, has been successfully placed into orbit. The launch took place from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, United States, utilizing a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This milestone marks another step in strengthening Italy’s advanced radar observation capabilities in space. Credit: Thales Alenia Space Since the introduction of the COSMO-SkyMed program in 2007, the constellation has been a critical source of radar imagery for multiple sectors. Over the years, approximately 4.3 million images have been collected and archived, supporting environmental monitoring, territorial management, security operations, and emergency response.  The system has also played a vital role within the European Copernicus program, where its data contributes to the Emergency Rapid Mapping service operated by e-GEOS....

The Israeli Air Force is set to receive a new generation of fighters derived from the F-15 EX, designated F-15IA (Israel Advanced). The procurement agreement, valued at up to 8.5 billion dollars, was finalized on December 29, 2025, marking one of the largest modernization efforts for Israel’s combat aviation fleet in recent years. Credit: Nir Ben-Yosef (xnir.com) Israel has confirmed that the first deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2031, with the official contract notice specifying that all work related to the program should be completed by 2035. This timeline reflects the long-term planning required for integrating advanced strike aircraft into operational service, including training, infrastructure adaptation, and logistical support. The procurement plan includes an initial purchase of 25 aircraft, with the option to add another 25. These new fighters are intended to gradually replace the aging F-15A, B, C, and D models, while simultaneously reinforcing the strike capabilities o...

The United States has cleared a potential Foreign Military Sale to Denmark involving as many as three P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, with the package valued at approximately 1.8 billion dollars. The approval, announced through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, marks a significant step in strengthening Denmark’s aerial maritime surveillance capabilities. The P-8 Poseidon equipped with a missile and pod sensor. Credit: Boeing Among the European nations already fielding the P-8A, Germany formally inducted its first aircraft in November 2025. The Marineflieger plans to operate a total of eight Poseidons, replacing its aging fleet of P-3 Orions and enhancing its ability to monitor submarine activity across the North Atlantic. The United Kingdom has also integrated the P-8A into its Royal Air Force inventory, designating the type as the Poseidon MRA1. Britain’s fleet plays a central role in cooperative deployments with Germany and other NATO partners. Norwa...

The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that the Army has awarded Boeing a firm fixed price contract valued at $2.7 billion to provide extensive post-production support for the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter fleet. AH-64E Guardian. Credit: army.mil The Army’s Apache inventory currently stands at 824 aircraft, consisting of both AH-64D Apache Longbow and the more advanced AH-64E Guardian variants. An additional 15 helicopters are on order, and the service is pursuing a modernization plan to retire all D-models in favor of a pure fleet of E-models. The AH-64E is projected to remain in service for decades, potentially into the 2060s, with continuous upgrades to meet evolving operational requirements, including its emerging role as a mobile counter-unmanned aircraft systems platform. The new contract is designed to sustain long-term readiness of this critical combat aviation asset through 2030. It encompasses depot-level maintenance, repair, and overhaul of major components such as airf...

South Korea will begin delivering its first domestically developed KF-21 Boramae fighter aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force within this year, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s defense modernization program. KF-21 Boramae fighter jet conducted a test flight, performing maneuvers over South Korea’s southern coast. Credit: Twitter/Fighterman_FFRC The KF-21 program, jointly undertaken by South Korea and Indonesia under the leadership of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), is designed to produce a versatile multirole fighter with stealth features. The aircraft is positioned as a 4.5-generation platform with ambitions to evolve toward fifth-generation capabilities. Flight testing has already demonstrated the jet’s operational potential. Prototypes have successfully completed high angle-of-attack stability trials, aerial refueling operations, and maneuver demonstrations, validating the aircraft’s aerodynamic design and systems integration. These achievements highlight t...

Lithuania has concluded a defense procurement deal worth €320 million with Sweden’s Saab, securing deliveries of the RBS 70 Bolide short-range air defense missile system, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Defense. The RBS 70 Bolide represents Saab’s advanced man-portable air defense solution, designed to counter tactical aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles under diverse operational conditions. The missile travels at approximately Mach 2, equivalent to around 680 meters per second, and is capable of engaging targets at ranges up to 8 kilometers and altitudes reaching 5,000 meters. Its guidance relies on laser beam-riding technology, which is resistant to jamming, while the warhead combines a high-explosive shaped charge with fragmentation pellets. The system employs a dual fuze mechanism, integrating both laser-proximity and impact detonation modes, ensuring effectiveness against a wide spectrum of aerial threats. Deliveries under this contract are sche...

AeroVironment Red Dragon is a software-defined unmanned aircraft system engineered to operate autonomously in one-way attack missions under high-threat conditions where GPS signals are denied and communications are degraded. Built with scalability in mind, the platform supports mass production, rapid fielding, and streamlined logistics to meet operational requirements. Its design emphasizes adaptability across multiple domains—air, land, and maritime—while ensuring that small units can be trained efficiently to employ the system in combat scenarios. Credit: AeroVironment The system’s architecture has been developed to allow rapid integration of new capabilities, enabling it to evolve in response to emerging operational challenges anticipated in the future of autonomous warfare. This modular approach ensures that Red Dragon can remain relevant as adversaries introduce new countermeasures and as mission requirements shift. Red Dragon combines advanced autonomy with resilience against e...