A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
The U.S. Navy announced on February 28 that the aircraft carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35C Lightning II, met all requirements and had achieved Initial Operational Capability …
F-35C Achieves Initial Operational Capability Read More
U.S. Army officials have identified around $31 billion worth of funding adjustments over multiple years in order to support the service’s top six modernization priorities. Earlier this year, the service …
U.S. Army Eyes $31 Billion Funding Shift to Bolster Top Modernization Programs and Readiness Read More
The U.S. Navy formally took delivery of its newest Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, the future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), on February 22. The ship was built by Huntington …
Guided Missile Destroyer Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) Delivered to U.S. Navy Read More
The U.S. Marine Corps has determined that its new Amphibious Combat Vehicle Increment 1.1 meets all desired ship-to-shore swim capabilities, even those that were not planned to be met until …
Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle Shines in Swim Tests Read More President Trump signed a directive that would institute a Space Force within the United States armed forces. Rather than be a stand-alone branch, the Space Force would fall under the …
President Trump Signs Space Force Directive Read More The Pentagon released a summary of its first artificial intelligence strategy on February 12. “Key tenets of the strategy are accelerating the delivery and adoption of AI; establishing a common …
U.S. Releases Artificial Intelligence Strategy Read More
The Russian defense industry can develop a ground-based version of the Kalibr cruise missile by the end of 2019.
Russia Can Create Ground-Based Kalibr by End of Year Read More
The FY20 defense budget request, originally scheduled for release this week, was pushed back because of the temporary government shutdown. Reports now indicate the request has been delayed by more …
U.S. Defense Budget Request Expected in Mid-March Read More The Russian defense industry will begin working on the development and production of intermediate-range missiles following the U.S. decision to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
Russia Announces Development of Intermediate-Range Missiles Read More
The U.S. Navy has awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division a massive $15.2 billion contract for the design and construction of two Ford class aircraft carriers: Enterprise (CVN …
U.S. Navy Proceeds with Two-Carrier Block Buy Read More