A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks’ May 6th Replicator announcement signals that the Navy’s effort to fast-track small uncrewed surface vessel (sUSV) acquisitions and fleet integration is well underway. The …
Tomorrow’s Seascape: DoD’s Replicator sUSV Element Begins to Take Shape Read More
California-based defense startup Anduril has unveiled the prototype Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XL-AUV) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The initiative is a collaborative effort that includes the …
Anduril’s Ghost Shark XL-AUV Makes its Australian Debut Read More
Fleet-wide Ospreys will slowly return to flight after a more than three-month-long grounding following an Air Force CV-22B crash off Japan in November 2023, resulting in the loss of eight …
For the Embroiled V-22 Osprey, Perception Matters Read More
Jockeying is beginning for rotorcraft manufacturers to build their case for NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability Program (NGRC). The NGRC initiative began in 2022 with partners France, Germany, Greece, Italy, …
NATO’s NGRC Effort Begins to Heat Up Read More
In a shocking development, Army leaders told reporters yesterday they are canceling the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program. The course change will alter long-range strategic aviation plans for the …
Army Drops Multi-Billion Dollar FARA Helicopter Program Read More
The Department of Defense’s (DOD) V-22 Osprey fleet remains grounded (save for one deployed Marine unit), having not flown since before the beginning of the new year. Each additional no-fly …
Grounded: Assessing the V-22 Osprey’s Challenges Read More
Northrop Grumman received a low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract from the Air Force to build the B-21 Raider according to Defense Undersecretary for Acquisition and Sustainment William LaPlante. During a …
Air Force B-21 Stealth Bomber Approved for Low-Rate Production Read More
2023 marked a significant year in the development and application of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The defense sector saw several milestones in technological achievements and the historic use of UUVs …
UUVs: Three areas to watch in 2024 Read More
Through a combination of newly acquired airframes and plans to sunset and transition its 98 MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is set to expand its MH-60T Jayhawk …
Coast Guard Poised to Overhaul and Grow MH-60T Fleet Read More
On October 24th, a People’s Republic of China (PRC) J-11 fighter came within 10 feet of a U.S. B-52 bomber during an intercept in international airspace near the South China …
China’s Aircraft Intercepts Brazenly Risk Disaster Read More