Uncrowned Guard

F-16s Deploy for Arctic OperationThe Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region deployed F-16 Fighting Falcons from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, to Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, for Operation Arctic Vanguard 26-4.2. The NORAD operation runs from Sept. 13 through Sept. 26, 2026, with the Alaskan NORAD Region operating alongside the Canadian NORAD Region on defense missions across the Arctic. Forward Operations in GreenlandNORAD personnel and aircraft are scheduled to deploy forward into Greenland, where they will operate in austere conditions with personnel from Denmark and other NATO countries. The deployment is intended to exercise the movement of combat aircraft from Alaska through Canada and into Greenland while supporting multinational operations across North America’s northern approaches. Nordic Bridge CoordinationOperation Arctic Vanguard supports the NORAD and U.S. Northern Command Nordic Bridge concept. The concept aligns Arctic operations, exercises, training, activities, and investments with other U.S. combatant commands, NATO members, individual countries, and regional partners. According to the release, the operation is also intended to support a more consistent multinational presence in the Arctic through activities conducted across multiple domains and locations. Recurring Arctic MissionArctic Vanguard is part of a recurring series of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command operations in the North American Arctic. The series focuses on operating from forward Arctic locations, maintaining a regional presence and defending northern approaches to the continent. Lt. Gen. Robert D. Davis, commander of the Alaskan NORAD Region, said the operation tests NORAD’s ability to deploy combat airpower across long distances and integrate with the Canadian NORAD Region, Denmark, and other NATO allies. View full article

B-52 Engine and Radar Programs AdvanceThe U.S. Air Force reached two acquisition milestones in 2026 for modernization of the B-52 strategic bomber fleet. The service approved Milestone B for the B-52J Commercial Engine Replacement Program on June 1, moving the engine upgrade into engineering and manufacturing development. On Aug. 21, the Air Force granted Milestone C approval to the B-52 Radar Modernization Program, authorizing low-rate initial production. The upgrades are intended to support B-52 operations through the 2050s and beyond, including long-range strike and nuclear deterrence missions. Engine Replacement and Supporting SystemsThe Commercial Engine Replacement Program will replace the B-52’s original TF33 engines with commercial-derivative Rolls-Royce F130 engines. It also covers changes to hydraulic pumps, cockpit displays, flight systems, and generators, with the latter increasing the aircraft’s electrical power capacity. Milestone B established the program’s first official Acquisition Program Baseline. Total acquisition cost was set at $20.2 billion, including research, development, testing, evaluation, procurement and military construction. According to the Air Force, $2.6 billion has been spent since 2018. Early wind-tunnel testing identified airflow distortion at the engine inlet. Engineers subsequently redesigned the nacelle and inlet and conducted additional testing. Boeing and Rolls-Royce completed the critical design review in May 2026, while engine testing remains underway. Two aircraft designated for testing are scheduled to enter modification at Boeing’s San Antonio facility in the coming months. Both recently completed depot maintenance and are currently flying operational missions. The aircraft will receive engine and radar modifications concurrently. Radar Production AuthorizedThe Radar Modernization Program will replace the 1980s-era APQ-166 analog radar with the APQ-188 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar. The Air Force described the new system as a military off-the-shelf radar related to those used by the F-15 and F/A-18. Following the Aug. 21 production decision, the Air Force awarded low-rate initial production contracts to Raytheon Technologies for radar systems and Boeing for aircraft integration kits. The first lot comprises four kits. The planned five-lot production effort is expected to provide 74 kits in total. Ground testing evaluated the initial software build and hardware integration, while a Production Readiness Review completed in June 2026 determined that the system was ready for initial production. Communications and Weapons IntegrationAdditional B-52 work includes survivable nuclear command-and-control communications and conventional beyond-line-of-sight connectivity. Programs cited by the Air Force include Extremely High Frequency terminals and Hybrid SATCOM. Weapons integration efforts cover current variants of the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile and Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile. The B-52 also continues to serve as a test platform for hypersonic weapons. Airframe Service LifeAs part of the engine program’s Milestone B process, the Air Force conducted fleet-wide structural assessments to determine whether the airframes could support the new engines, greater electrical generation, and continued operations. The B-52 was designed in the late 1940s, with current aircraft built through the early 1960s. Air Force analyses concluded that the airframes retain sufficient fatigue life to continue operating into the 2050s and potentially beyond. View full article

Navy Awards Initial Production ContractThe U.S. Navy awarded Boeing a $562 million fixed-price incentive contract for the first low-rate initial production lot of MQ-25A Stingray carrier-based unmanned aircraft. The contract funds three Lot 1 aircraft and advance acquisition of long-lead components for three additional MQ-25As under Lot 2. Initial Lot 1 deliveries are expected to begin in 2029. The award follows approval in May 2026 for the MQ-25A program to enter the production and deployment phase. Navy Capt. Daniel Fucito, program manager for Unmanned Carrier Aviation, described the contract as the program’s transition from development toward operational service. Program Scope and MissionThe Navy’s program of record covers 76 aircraft, including four engineering and manufacturing development vehicles and five system demonstration test articles. Seven test aircraft are currently in production, according to the Navy. The MQ-25A is intended to provide carrier air wings with an organic aerial-refueling capability. By assuming tanker duties currently performed by F/A-18 Super Hornets, the unmanned aircraft is expected to make more fighters available for strike missions while reducing flight hours associated with the refueling role. The Stingray will operate alongside crewed aircraft and use Lockheed Martin’s Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control Station. The Navy also views the platform as an initial step toward broader integration of unmanned systems into carrier aviation. Development and TestingThe MQ-25 originated in the Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System program, which followed the earlier Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike effort. Boeing was selected for the program in August 2018 and received an $805 million development contract for four aircraft. Three additional test aircraft were ordered in April 2020. The first MQ-25 test vehicle flew on Sept. 19, 2019. In June 2021, it transferred fuel to an F/A-18F Super Hornet during a roughly 4.5-hour test mission. Subsequent testing included refueling work with the E-2 and F-35C. The Navy conducted the first flight of a developmental MQ-25 in April 2026. Flight testing is expected to continue through the end of fiscal 2029. Aircraft and Unit DetailsThe MQ-25A is powered by a single Rolls-Royce AE 3007N turbofan producing more than 10,000 pounds of thrust. Published Navy data lists a length of 51 feet and a wingspan of 75 feet when extended or 31.3 feet when folded for carrier storage. A Cobham aerial-refueling store is carried externally. Unmanned Carrier Launched Multi-Role Squadron 10 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, serves as the MQ-25 Fleet Replacement Squadron and supports development of operating and maintenance procedures. The Navy established operational squadron VUQ-11 in April 2026. It is intended to be based at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, after operational aircraft are delivered and developmental testing concludes. A second operational unit, VUQ-12, is planned for a later date. View full article

Navy Places Blackbeard Production OrderThe U.S. Navy has awarded Castelion a Small Business Innovation Research Phase III production delivery order valued at up to $200 million for the Blackbeard hypersonic missile. Under the order, Castelion will manufacture, assemble, test, and deliver an initial lot of Blackbeard Hypersonic Weapon All-Up Rounds for naval aviation. The Navy and company releases did not specify the number of production rounds, delivery schedule, or unit price. The production weapons will follow 50 Early Operational Capability rounds ordered in June 2026, according to Castelion. The latest order moves the program from early operational capability prototypes into production. Air-Launched Strike RoleBlackbeard is an air-launched hypersonic weapon intended to provide carrier-based strike fighters with a long-range, high-speed strike option against maritime and land targets. The Navy said the weapon is designed to extend the reach of carrier strike groups, increase available magazine capacity, and improve aircraft survivability against advanced air defenses. The program builds on previous U.S. Army and Navy platform-integration contracts. The releases did not identify specific aircraft, integration schedules, or planned dates for operational deployment. Vice Adm. John “Doc” Dougherty IV, commander of Portfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation and Naval Air Systems Command, said the award pairs the Navy’s rapid-acquisition structure with commercial manufacturing practices to expand naval aviation’s strike capacity. Acquisition and Testing ApproachPortfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation issued the order through its Future Capability Development and Integration Aviation Rapid Capabilities Cell. The cell is part of an acquisition structure in which embedded rapid-capability organizations develop and transition scalable prototypes. The Navy described the award as an early use of rapid-acquisition initiatives supported by the Department of the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office. It also cited acquisition reforms in the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act and authorities under the Small Business Innovation Development Act as the basis for transitioning privately financed technology directly into production. According to the Navy, this structure is intended to limit duplicated non-recurring engineering work and shorten the transition between development and manufacturing. Blackbeard’s test program will use mission-engineering processes and specialized testing software to support flight-clearance and safety requirements. No flight-test results or certification timeline were included in the releases. Manufacturing LocationsWork will take place at Castelion’s Project Ranger manufacturing campus in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and at the company’s facility in Torrance, California. Project Ranger covers approximately 1,000 acres. Castelion said its production plan combines vertically integrated operations with commercial manufacturing methods, covering activities from raw materials through finished rounds. The company has funded Blackbeard with hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment while working with the Navy, Army and Air Force, according to its release. Program TransitionCastelion co-founder and CEO Bryon Hargis said the production decision followed progress made jointly with the Navy and that Blackbeard was designed with production requirements in mind. The Navy linked the award to its broader objective of obtaining lower-cost munitions in larger quantities and improving strike options in contested maritime areas. The releases did not provide the order’s maximum period of performance or indicate whether additional production lots are planned. View full article

U.S. and Germany Sign Defense Industrial AgreementU.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius signed an agreement Sept. 15, 2026, intended to expand defense industrial cooperation between the two countries. The agreement aligns the War Department’s acquisition transformation strategy with Germany’s Procurement Acceleration Act. According to Hegseth, the framework is intended to increase opportunities for joint development, production, licensed manufacturing, maintenance and sustainment. The officials said the objective is to expand production capacity and deliver military systems to U.S., German and allied forces more quickly and at greater scale. No individual programs, contract values or implementation deadlines were announced. NATO Spending and Industrial CapacityThe agreement followed Pentagon discussions covering increased European defense spending, NATO force contributions and the U.S. and German defense industrial bases. Hegseth placed the talks within what he calls “NATO 3.0,” a proposed approach emphasizing higher defense expenditures, troop readiness, weapons production and force contributions. President Donald Trump has called for NATO members to spend 5% of gross domestic product on defense. Hegseth said Germany was moving toward the 5% commitment made at the previous year’s Hague Summit. He added that spending increases would need to be accompanied by higher production on both sides of the Atlantic. The secretary also linked the agreement to the U.S. “arsenal of freedom” plan, which he described as an effort to expand domestic manufacturing, rebuild industrial capacity and increase production of U.S.-made defense equipment. Germany Reports Spending IncreasePistorius said Germany had increased defense spending by 25%, with expenditures equivalent to about $147 billion. He described the increase as part of a broader effort by European allies to assume primary responsibility for conventional deterrence in Europe and reduce the burden on the United States. Germany is purchasing new weapon systems from U.S. suppliers while expanding its role within NATO, Pistorius said. He cited German support for Ukraine and the deployment of an armored brigade in Lithuania as contributions to NATO’s eastern flank. Pistorius also identified space systems and deep-precision strike capabilities as areas of German technology investment. Germany is scheduled to roll out its first F-35A aircraft later in the week, according to the release. Production and Sustainment PrioritiesBoth officials identified increased production capacity as the agreement’s central aim. Hegseth said coordinating the countries’ acquisition and procurement policies could support shared manufacturing and sustainment arrangements for allied systems. Pistorius said the framework would provide a basis for closer bilateral armament cooperation after more than 70 years of Germany’s NATO membership. The release did not identify specific weapons, facilities or companies that would participate. European Role in NATOPistorius said Germany supports a larger European role in NATO while maintaining the transatlantic alliance. He characterized the effort as a shift in burden-sharing rather than a reduction in U.S.-European defense ties. “Together with our allies, we are working towards a stronger Europe and a stronger NATO,” Pistorius said, adding that Germany and the United States would continue cooperating on collective defense and resilience. View full article

Pentagon IG Details Operation Epic Fury CostsOperation Epic Fury cost an estimated $33.4 billion through June 29, according to a Pentagon Inspector General report covering operations from Feb. 28 through June 30, 2026. Iranian strikes damaged or destroyed hundreds of structures at U.S. bases, while dozens of American aircraft were lost or damaged. The estimate comprises $22.3 billion in expended munitions, $7.4 billion in cumulative operational obligations and $3.7 billion in equipment losses, calculated largely at replacement cost. It excludes infrastructure repairs, broader economic effects and some costs that remain under assessment. Through June 30, seven U.S. service members were killed in action, seven died in non-hostile incidents, and 417 were wounded in action. Four additional service members were killed in action in July. Bases and Aircraft HitIranian attacks damaged or destroyed buildings at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan. The military has not determined the full repair cost or its future basing posture, including which facilities will be rebuilt and how much allies may contribute. Aircraft losses included four F-15Es, one A-10, an AH-64 helicopter, an MH-60 helicopter, and as many as 30 MQ-9 intelligence and surveillance aircraft. Seven KC-135 tankers were damaged or destroyed, while an F-35A, E-3 surveillance aircraft, and HH-60W helicopter were damaged. Four AH-6 helicopters were destroyed by U.S. forces after becoming unrecoverable during combat search-and-rescue operations, and an MQ-4C uncrewed aircraft was reported crashed. The State Department separately estimated about $184 million in damage to U.S. embassies, consulates and other diplomatic facilities as of June 30. Munitions and Funding ShortfallsThe Pentagon’s acquisition and sustainment office told investigators that munitions use created “strategic inventory shortfalls” and exposed industrial-base bottlenecks. Persistent constraints include solid rocket motor production, supplies of high-grade explosives and propellants, and recruitment of skilled manufacturing workers. Officials said expanding production capacity requires significant lead time. About 90% of the operation’s $7.4 billion in obligations fell under operations and maintenance. The largest disbursement categories were airlift operations at $929.6 million, flying-hour costs at $691.1 million, ship operations at $647.7 million, base support at $405 million and maneuver units at $385.3 million. Because Congress did not provide a dedicated fiscal 2026 appropriation for the operation, military components used base-budget funds otherwise intended for activities including training and maintenance. On June 24, the White House requested $87.6 billion in emergency supplemental funding, including $67.1 billion for the military, largely for Epic Fury. That request included $21 billion for munitions and $17.3 billion for operational costs. Scope of the CampaignThe United States launched Epic Fury with Israel on Feb. 28 to target Iran’s nuclear, missile, naval, and security infrastructure. More than 50,000 U.S. personnel deployed across the Central Command region. Between Feb. 28 and an April 7 ceasefire, U.S. forces struck about 13,500 targets, conducted approximately 36,000 combat sorties and carried out more than 1,800 fire missions. A blockade of Iranian ports ran from April 13 to June 18. U.S. forces redirected more than 140 vessels, disabled 10 non-compliant ships, and permitted passage for more than 50 commercial vessels supporting humanitarian aid. The report’s accounting ends June 30 and does not include the full costs and losses from renewed daily strikes in July. The complete mission statement for Epic Fury remains classified. View full article

U.S. Acknowledges Weapons in OrbitThe U.S. military has publicly acknowledged for the first time that the Space Force operates weapons in Earth’s orbit. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said during a Sept. 14 keynote at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, that the service has “on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action.” Meink, who oversees the Air Force and Space Force, said the disclosure was intentional and its wording “very well thought out.” He did not identify the systems, disclose how many are deployed, or say whether they use kinetic or non-kinetic methods. Details Remain ClassifiedMeink said acknowledging the weapons’ existence could support deterrence, but releasing technical or operational details would not. “We’re not going to talk about the specifics of what we’re doing, whether we’ve tested, not tested, or anything else,” he said. “I would just say that the space environment is critical for military and economic security, and we need to make sure that the U.S. can operate freely there.” An Air Force spokesperson said the systems are intended to defend the military “against space-enabled attack.” Meink similarly said the United States has taken steps to respond when threatened and must maintain its position in both air and space. China and Russia Cited as ThreatsThe Air Force said the United States has warned about Russian and Chinese weapons testing in space since 2007. China has operated spacecraft capable of damaging other satellites, while the Space Force says Russia is developing a satellite “designed to carry a nuclear weapon.” “Due to their actions, it is no longer a question that space is a warfighting domain,” the spokesperson said. “Space control is part of how the Joint Force protects national security interests.” The spokesperson added that public communication can strengthen deterrence, reduce the risk of adversary miscalculation, and normalize space operations alongside those of other military services. The disclosure represents a shift from past U.S. reluctance to discuss anti-satellite capabilities. Destroying satellites in orbit can create debris that threatens other spacecraft and astronauts. Golden Dome Programs AdvanceMeink also highlighted two Space Force projects within the Pentagon’s Golden Dome missile defense initiative: the Space-Based Interceptor program and the Space-Based Air-Moving Target Indication constellation. The interceptor program is intended to detect and defeat missile threats from space. Meink said it progressed from an initial contract to flight-ready hardware in less than a year. The Space Force is using a prize competition to assess affordability and scalability, with a possible initial capability targeted for 2028. Golden Dome Director Gen. Michael Guetlein said contractors completed the first phase, which covered design work and component-level testing. The following phases call for prototype construction, demonstrations in space and integration with the wider Golden Dome architecture. Satellite Tracking ConstellationThe Space-Based Air-Moving Target Indication program will use satellites to supplement airborne threat-tracking missions traditionally conducted by aircraft. The Space Force is working with the National Reconnaissance Office on the constellation, which is intended to remain operational against adversary anti-access and aerial-denial systems. SpaceX received a $4.2 billion contract in May to begin building the constellation. Meink said the first satellites would launch in September, but the Space Force has not disclosed the size of the initial launch or the planned number of spacecraft. View full article

Declassified Footage Details Iran Rescue OperationsNewly declassified footage shared by CBS 60 Minutes, shows how the U.S. military recovered two Air Force officers after their F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down south of Isfahan, Iran, on April 2. The crew, identified by the call signs Alpha and Bravo because of security concerns, ejected after a shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile struck their aircraft. They landed about five miles apart and were recovered in separate operations. Alpha was rescued within six hours, while Bravo remained behind enemy lines for approximately 50 hours. The mission involved combat aircraft, intelligence assets, aerial refueling, special operations aviation and more than 90 U.S. personnel on the ground. Several hundred personnel operated in the air, with several thousand supporting the operation. Shootdown and SeparationAlpha was the pilot, while Bravo was the weapons systems officer in the two-seat fighter. Their mission, according to U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper, was to strike industrial facilities associated with Iran’s drone and missile program. After the missile hit, the crew attempted to save the aircraft before ejecting. Bravo’s parachute was damaged, leaving him falling at an estimated 70 to 100 mph. He broke his back, arm and shoulder when he landed. “At one point when I looked up and saw no parachute, that was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen,” Bravo said. He recalled praying during the fall and later described his survival as a “modern-day miracle.” Despite his injuries, Bravo moved away from his landing site and climbed toward a ridgeline at roughly 7,000 feet. Iranian search teams reportedly came within a few hundred meters of his location. Alpha Recovered Under FireAlpha was recovered during a risky daylight operation involving 21 aircraft and an HH-60W Jolly Green II combat search-and-rescue helicopter. The rescue force encountered fire on its way into and out of the area. The team was unable to locate Bravo and withdrew after recovering Alpha. Alpha has since returned to flying but declined a public interview. In a statement, he praised the professionalism of the combat search-and-rescue specialists and other personnel involved. As night fell, Bravo sent a message confirming that he was injured but still moving. A potential rescue attempt was postponed because operational conditions did not align, leaving him exposed for another day with little food or water in the cold and wind of the high desert. Second Rescue Uses Ground ForceU.S. intelligence monitored Bravo and Iranian movements while the CIA conducted a deception campaign intended to confuse the search effort. American bombers and drones also struck nearby Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces before the second extraction began. Two MC-130 aircraft landed on an improvised desert airstrip about 10 miles from Bravo. The force then launched compact MH-6M Little Bird helicopters to reach his position in the restricted mountain terrain. More than 90 U.S. service members deployed on the ground, described by Cooper as the first American boots on the ground in Iran in 46 years. When rescuers reached Bravo near sunrise, he told them, “Let’s go.” Aircraft Lost During ExtractionThe operation faced another complication when the MC-130 aircraft became stuck in sand at the makeshift airstrip. A clandestine Air Force unit subsequently helped extract the stranded personnel. The United States destroyed the two MC-130s, each valued at about $100 million, along with the Little Bird helicopters to prevent their technology from being captured. Bravo was brought to safety about 50 hours after the shootdown, as the sun rose on Easter Sunday. The downed F-15E was valued at approximately $30 million, while the shoulder-fired missile that brought it down may have cost around $100,000. Bravo said the recovery reflected the combined effects of training, teamwork, leadership, and the military commitment to retrieve isolated personnel. View full article

Air Force Sets 2032 Deployment TargetThe U.S. Air Force plans to field at least 500 semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft by 2032, pairing lower-cost uncrewed jets with conventional fighters. The service’s longer-term objective is to acquire roughly 1,000 combat-ready aircraft under the program. The first production designs are the General Atomics FQ-42 Vengeance and Anduril Industries FQ-44 Fury. Both were selected for Increment I of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, and an initial production contract calls for a combined 150 aircraft by 2030. Pricing was not disclosed. The aircraft are intended to operate alongside the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II and planned Boeing F-47. The FQ-44 is also identified as a potential partner for the F-15EX Eagle II. Operational RoleCollaborative Combat Aircraft are designed to serve as robotic wingmen in human-machine formations. Mission-autonomy software will allow them to conduct assigned tasks with limited pilot intervention, including extending sensor coverage, carrying additional air-to-air weapons and operating ahead of crewed fighters. The Air Force expects the platforms to increase the number of aircraft available in contested airspace while distributing risk across crewed and uncrewed systems. Although neither design is described as expendable, their lower projected cost is intended to let commanders accept risks that may be unsuitable for crewed fighters. “Developing semi-autonomous platforms alongside traditional fighters fundamentally expands our tactical options in modern contested airspace,” an Air Force official said at the Air & Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference. FQ-42 DevelopmentThe FQ-42 is derived from General Atomics’ XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station demonstrator and belongs to the company’s Gambit family of uncrewed combat aircraft. Its configuration includes a single engine, dorsal-mounted inlet, slender wings, V-tail surfaces and an internal weapons bay. Planned armament includes two AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. The YFQ-42A prototype first flew on Aug. 27, 2025. General Atomics named the prototype Dark Merlin in February 2026, while the Air Force assigned Vengeance to the production FQ-42 in September 2026. One prototype was lost shortly after takeoff on April 6, 2026. The mishap was attributed to an autopilot miscalculation involving aircraft weight and center of gravity. Flight testing resumed May 21. FQ-44 Development and SpecificationsThe FQ-44 began as an aggressor-aircraft concept developed by Blue Force Technologies, first called Grackle and later REDmedium and Fury. Anduril acquired Blue Force in 2023 and adapted the design for the Air Force program. The YFQ-44 completed its first flight on Oct. 31, 2025, and the Air Force formally retained the Fury name for the production aircraft in September 2026. The single-engine aircraft is approximately half the dimensions of an F-16, with swept trapezoidal wings, a chin-mounted inlet and external weapon stations. Estimated specifications include a 20-foot length, 17-foot wingspan and 5,000-pound maximum takeoff weight. Powered by a Williams FJ44-4M turbofan producing about 4,000 pounds of thrust, the Fury is designed for speeds up to Mach 0.95 and altitudes of 50,000 feet. It has two external weapon stations and is listed as capable of carrying as many as four AIM-120 missiles. View full article

Ukrainian Strikes Target Russian RefineriesUkrainian forces struck two major Russian oil refineries and a facility used to launch attack drones on Sept. 13, Ukraine’s General Staff reported. The attacks targeted the Slavyansky refinery in Sloviansk-on-Kuban, Krasnodar Krai, and the TANECO refinery in Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan. Fires were reported at both sites. Russian regional authorities said two people were killed and 12 injured in the TANECO strike. Ukraine’s General Staff also reported a strike on a facility in Millerovo, Rostov Oblast, used to store, prepare and launch Russian attack drones. Refinery Capacity and Local DisruptionThe Slavyansky refinery, operated by Sloviansk ECO LLC, can process about 5.2 million metric tons of crude oil annually. It produces gasoline, fuel oil, vacuum gas oil, jet fuel and other petroleum products. The General Staff said it supplies the Russian Armed Forces. Krasnodar Krai authorities said falling drone debris damaged a gas pipeline in a residential area of Sloviansk-on-Kuban. TANECO is operated by Tatneft and processes more than 16 million metric tons of oil annually. Tatarstan authorities said the refinery processed 16.2 million metric tons in 2022. Its products include gasoline, diesel, aviation kerosene and marine fuel. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed air defenses intercepted and destroyed 389 Ukrainian drones overnight. The claim could not be independently verified. Aviation authorities temporarily restricted flights at airports in Nizhnekamsk, Kazan and Bugulma over safety concerns. Russian Missiles Hit Ukrainian Steel PlantsSeparately, Russian missile strikes hit two major Ukrainian metallurgical plants overnight on Sept. 12, killing two people and injuring six, according to plant operators. Four ballistic missiles struck the Zaporizhstal steel plant in Zaporizhzhia, injuring four employees and causing what operator Metinvest described as critical damage. Equipment in the blast-furnace and open-hearth shops was damaged, along with energy systems, internal networks and logistics infrastructure. One injured worker was treated at the plant and declined hospitalization. Three others were hospitalized with moderate injuries. Zaporizhstal had not resumed production after earlier ballistic missile attacks on Aug. 11 and Aug. 27. “Zaporizhstal produced pig iron and steel for civilian needs,” Metinvest Chief Operating Officer Oleksandr Myronenko said, adding that the facility did not manufacture military products or host anything that would make it a military target. Metinvest said the full extent of the latest damage had not yet been established. Fatal Strike in Kryvyi RihA Russian missile also hit the ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih steel plant in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Two employees of contractor companies were killed and two plant workers were injured, the company said. Production and auxiliary facilities were damaged, while search-and-rescue operations continued. Specialists were assessing the destruction and possible recovery timelines. The company described the site as a civilian mining and metallurgical enterprise. The plant has been struck repeatedly during the war. An attack in December 2022 killed one employee and destroyed a rolling mill. Another in August 2026 killed two plant employees and one contractor, injured 18 people, damaged key energy and blast-furnace facilities, and partially halted production. Broader Overnight AttacksThe strikes on Zaporizhstal and ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih formed part of a broader Russian missile and drone attack across Ukraine overnight on Sept. 12. At least 11 people were killed and 96 injured. Odesa Oblast was the main target, while deadly attacks were also reported in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts. View full article

Canada Launches Drone Procurement MarketplaceCanada announced a national digital marketplace intended to accelerate procurement of uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems for the Canadian Armed Forces and Canadian Coast Guard. The Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace Supply Arrangement will connect military and government operators with nearly 400 approved Canadian suppliers. Allies and partner countries will also receive access. The system is modeled on Ukraine’s Brave1 defense technology platform. Canada awarded initial contracts valued at up to C$50 million, which the government said will increase the number of drones deployed by the Canadian Armed Forces tenfold. The contracts follow the July launch of the Defence Drone Initiative and were issued within 50 days of the project’s start. Canada’s longer-term objective is to establish factories, supply chains and component capacity capable of producing millions of drones over the next two years. Training, maintenance, repair, configuration and sustainment under the initial contracts must take place in Canada. Initial Suppliers and SystemsThe first procurements cover intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drones and uncrewed ground vehicles. Selected suppliers include Quebec-based Beonyx, which offers a Canadian-designed and manufactured ground vehicle; AVSS, with manufacturing and assembly in Ontario; and Montreal-based Volatus Aerospace, working with partners in the United Kingdom and providing domestic logistics, training and lifecycle support. Ontario-based Twenty20 Insight will provide Canadian services for a UK-designed and manufactured platform. Saskatchewan-based Draganfly plans Canadian licensed production of a platform based on Australian technology. Ontario-based Objexis AI will provide a Canadian-built platform using domestically owned intellectual property, software, avionics and mission systems. Joint Production With UkraineGeneral Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada and Ukrainian company Green Tech Harvest formed a partnership to develop and produce drones and related technologies. The arrangement will use Canadian manufacturing to support Ukrainian defense requirements and is expected to involve critical minerals, engineering, skilled trades and computer science. The agreement follows a partnership between Airlogix and Sentinel Research & Development announced in May. Canada said other industry arrangements remain under negotiation. The two governments also agreed to pursue long-term joint production of uncrewed systems, counter-drone and electronic disruption technologies, priority munitions and ammunition. The framework will combine Ukrainian operational experience with Canadian manufacturing, software and artificial intelligence capabilities, supported by research, technology transfer and predictable procurement. Additional Defense and Security AssistanceCanada committed approximately C$350 million for air-defense interceptors through the U.S.-managed Joint Ukraine Multinational Program—Services, Training and Articles Rapid Timeline, or JUMPSTART. It also allocated nearly C$23 million to strengthen Ukrainian police, national guard, military and frontline community capabilities against hybrid threats and disinformation. Operation UNIFIER, Canada’s military training and capacity-building mission for Ukraine, has been extended through 2029. Canada said cooperation will also expand in intelligence, cyber defense, counter-drone operations, electronic disruption and foreign information manipulation. Since 2022, Canada’s combined military, economic, humanitarian, development, security and immigration commitments for Ukraine have exceeded C$26 billion. Energy, Reconstruction and Long-Term CooperationCanada announced nearly C$435 million in loan guarantees through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for winter gas purchases and backup electricity generation. A further C$200 million in concessional loans through Export Development Canada will support reconstruction projects involving Canadian companies. Additional commitments include C$10 million for the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, bringing Canada’s contribution to C$100 million, and C$2 million for an International Energy Agency program supporting energy resilience and regulatory development. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed declarations establishing a planned 100-year partnership and expanded defense and security cooperation. The framework covers co-development and production of defense equipment, information sharing, trade, reconstruction, critical minerals, and cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and space technologies. View full article

KONGSBERG Selects MESA Radar for Counter-UAS SystemsKONGSBERG has selected Echodyne’s MESA radar platform for air and surface applications, including integration with its PROTECTOR RS4 and RS6 remote weapon stations. The initial integrations are intended to provide radar tracking data for counter-unmanned aircraft system operations. According to Echodyne’s Sept. 9, 2026, announcement, the solid-state radar can be installed on static, crewed and uncrewed platforms. The companies did not disclose procurement quantities, customers, deployment schedules, or contract value. Detection and Fire-Control FunctionsThe MESA radar supplies range, range-rate, bearing and target kinematic data to the weapon station’s fire-control chain. Echodyne said the radar is designed to stabilize and cue the system’s optical sensors, maintain target tracks and reduce the time between detection and engagement. The integration combines the radar with KONGSBERG’s weapon-station architecture and Collaborative Fire Control capabilities. It is intended to support tracking of fast-moving unmanned aircraft with low radar cross-sections while operating within the size, weight, and power limits of vehicle-mounted or stationary systems. Echodyne CEO Eben Frankenberg said the integration is intended to provide the PROTECTOR family with persistent tracks for fire-control cueing and target lock. He also cited the radar’s compact, software-defined configuration as relevant to use across the existing PROTECTOR platform base. Airburst and Networked EngagementsThe companies identified programmable airburst munitions as one application for the radar data. Accurate range and range-rate measurements can support calculation of the point at which a munition should function along a target’s flight path. In a networked configuration, a cooperative search radar or another sensor can pass an initial threat track to a radar-equipped remote weapon station. The local MESA radar can then refine and maintain that track for fire-control use. This search-cue-track-engage process is designed to allow distributed systems to share an air picture, allocate targets and retarget as engagements are completed. The release did not identify specific munitions, engagement ranges or performance figures for the integrated systems. Multi-Year Integration and TestingEchodyne and KONGSBERG said they have conducted several years of integration, testing and demonstrations involving the radar-enabled configuration. The announcement did not specify test locations, participating military organizations, or whether the system has entered operational service. Beyond the RS4 and RS6 integrations, the companies are evaluating additional uses for the radar across KONGSBERG air and surface mission systems. Planned joint technical work will focus on resilient sensing, networked fire control and protection against changing unmanned-system threats. View full article

Houthis Reportedly Seize Strategic IslandYemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement has reportedly taken control of Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait during a rapid advance along the country’s western coast. The Houthis described the capture as part of a large-scale operation to expel Saudi-backed forces. An unnamed military official from Yemen’s internationally recognized government told AFP that the group had also seized two other islands in the strait and now controlled Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline. “Everything that was under our control on the western coast has fallen,” the official said. Shipping Through Bab al-MandabPerim Island sits in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a major maritime gateway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and shipping routes between Asia and Europe. The Houthis said the strait remains safe for shipping companies other than Saudi vessels. However, their new positions could increase risks around one of the world’s most important trade corridors, particularly if fighting expands or restrictions broaden beyond Saudi-linked traffic. The group has reiterated that it does not intend to threaten international shipping while maintaining that Saudi vessels will be targeted. Potential Impact on Oil MarketsOil prices remained relatively stable immediately after reports of the island’s capture and the blockade of Saudi vessels. Traders have yet to determine how significantly the situation will affect shipments. Saudi Arabia, the world’s second-largest oil producer, has relied more heavily on the Red Sea route since the US and Israel’s war on Iran severely restricted access through the Strait of Hormuz. A broader closure of Bab al-Mandab could therefore place additional pressure on Saudi exports and global energy supplies, potentially raising crude oil and consumer fuel prices. The effect may be more limited if restrictions remain focused only on Saudi-registered vessels. Many large oil tankers are registered elsewhere, which could allow shipments from other producers to continue. Rerouting cargo may also be possible, although alternative arrangements could increase time and costs. Saudi Arabia Seeks US SupportSaudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly asked US President Donald Trump to take military action against the Houthis following their advance. The two leaders have spoken several times in recent days, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Trump declined to commit US forces, but Washington offered intelligence and targeting support to Saudi Arabia. Talks between the two countries remain ongoing, and Saudi officials are reportedly seeking a coalition with the US amid concerns that military action against the Houthis could prompt an Iranian response. US Position on the EscalationA senior US administration official did not address the reported request for military action directly, but said Washington was focused on protecting core national security interests, including freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The official added that the US intends to empower regional partners to take the lead in managing security challenges and remains in continuous discussions with Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s internationally recognized government. For now, the US is not preparing to intervene directly, while the Houthis’ territorial gains have increased pressure on Saudi-backed forces and uncertainty around Red Sea shipping. View full article