Radar Sweep
Israel’s War with Iran-Backed Hezbollah Escalates as IDF Bombs Financial Institutions Across Lebanon
A fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes started pounding locations across Lebanon on the night of Oct. 20, some striking dangerously close to Lebanon's only international airport. Israel had said it would launch a widescale assault on a banking institution it regards as Hezbollah's de-facto financial arm, the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association.
A Week After China’s War Games, US and Canadian Warships Sail Through Taiwan Strait
U.S. and Canadian warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Oct. 20, almost a week after China held massive war games around Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory. The destroyer USS Higgins and the Canadian frigate HMCS Vancouver made a “routine” transit of the Taiwan Strait meant to uphold the principle of freedom of navigation for all countries, read an Oct. 21 statement by the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet.
F-35s Still Missing Readiness Goals—Despite Rising Spending
The F-35 program has failed to meet a key readiness metric for six straight years, despite a steady increase in spending to operate and maintain the aircraft, according to a new report from a government watchdog agency. The Pentagon spent more than $12 billion to operate and maintain the F-35 fleet from fiscal 2018 to 2023, according to the GAO.
Our First Look at Land-Based Aegis Missile Defense System in Guam
We have gotten what appears to be our first view of a Mk 41 vertical launch system (VLS) for the Aegis Ashore air defense system that has been installed on the highly strategic American island of Guam in the Pacific.
Northrop Grumman Unveils Flying Data Center for Military Intelligence
Defense contractor Northrop Grumman has demonstrated new technology that turns aircraft into a flying data center, processing real-time intelligence from satellites and drones to aid military operations. The system, called Deep Sensing and Targeting (DSAT), was showcased at a U.S. Army exercise last month, the company said Oct. 21.
Electronic Warfare: The Invisible Battlespace
While it cannot be seen by the human eye, electronic warfare and its importance to the modern fight is clear. Learn more about how the Department of the Air Force is upgrading its EW capabilities, from in space to in flight, on orbit and onboard fighters.
Ukraine Should Lift Export Ban on Reconnaissance Drones, Vendor Says
Ukraine may lift an export ban on drone systems to generate revenue for local companies, a move one manufacturer argues is overdue. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyiv has prohibited the export of military goods to other countries to guarantee that the Ukrainian armed forces are supplied with the equipment they need to continue defending their territory.
Army Plans Follow-Up to SATCOM Services Pilot for FY25
The U.S. Army is working on a follow-on contract vehicle for purchasing commercial satellite services before the end of fiscal 2025, following the success of a year-long pilot project wrapping up at the end of this month, service officials told Breaking Defense.
CSAF, CMSAF Complete INDOPACOM Trip to Reinforce Alliances, Partnerships
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi traveled across the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility to engage key allies and partners amidst a dynamic and evolving security environment Oct. 10-18. The trip also offered the senior leaders a firsthand look at the progress Airmen have made in reoptimizing the service for Great Power Competition.
Unique Photos and Footage Capture an F-22 Raptor Aborting Takeoff After a Tire Burst at Kadena
Images taken by X user @ma6400 outside Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, show a quite rare incident involving a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor aborting takeoff due to a tire blowout. Images of this nature are seldom captured or shared online, making them particularly notable in the context of aviation safety.