Psychological Operations candidates at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School carry a weighted ammunition can during Psychological Operations Assessment and Selection (POAS) at Camp Mackall, North Carolina, February 27, 2021. (K. Kassens/U.S. Army).
An ominous but motivational recruiting video titled “Ghosts in the Machine” rocked the internet in May 2022.

The Navy wants to increase its collaboration in the cyber domain with allies and other international partners to improve interoperability and the sharing of tactics.
The department’s first cyber strategy, released in November, calls for greater cooperation between the organization and foreign countries.
“We will engage with Allied and friendly nations to exchange best practices, share appropriate information, and coordinate our efforts in cyberspace,” it states.
Officials noted that there is a lot to be gained, in terms of tactics and tools, through greater partnership.

On January 19, 2024, USAA welcomed 225 lucky viewers from the military community to a special screening of the new Apple original series, Masters of the Air, at the World War II Museum in New Orleans. Viewers included military spouses, ROTC students, reservists and service members representing every branch. Despite their different backgrounds, the attendees’ responses to the screening were the same: Wow.

Service members and military community members gather at the World War II Museum in New Orleans for an exclusive screening of Masters of the Air.

The contract distribution is based on work quotas: Rheinmetall receives 607 million euros, Diehl Defense 339 million and Hensoldt 284 million.
ARGE is awarded a contract with the German Military Procurement Agency for a very short-range air defense system
The German government invests in an advanced air defense system to strengthen its military capabilities.
The Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the German Armed Forces (BAAINBw) has formalized a significant contract with ARGE NNbS.

Welcome to The Adversarial. Every other week, we’ll provide you with expert analysis on America’s greatest challengers: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and jihadists. Read more below. *** Russia In the economic domain, new data at the beginning of 2024 brought some bad news for Russia. Account surpluses slumped in 2023, amounting to $50.2 billion from a record $238 billion at the end of 2022.

Cayden Smith
A U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury recently turned heads in Tucson, Arizona after it appeared there with what looked to be a heavily weathered paint job. The War Zone subsequently reached out to the Navy for more information and have learned that the service is itself working to get to the bottom of the matter. The Navy’s E-6Bs are so-called ‘doomsday planes’ that serve as airborne command posts for America’s nuclear deterrent triad.
The E-6B in question has the Navy serial number (also known as Bureau Number, or BuNo) 164387.

Immense pressure has been put on Congress by patriotic Americans to force Congress and the Biden administration to deal with an invasion on our southern border, versus sending additional ‘aid’ (read money laundering) to Ukraine.
For now, it looks as if financing for the aid has been halted in Congress per Speaker Johnson.
In addition, today a letter was sent to Congress and the administration from former security offiicals warning of the dire threat from the invasion of the United States enabled by the Biden administration.

The Spanish MoD announced it will increase defence spending to a level that complements the nation’s growing procurement of systems.

The Turkish Navy’s Ada-class corvette TCG
Kınalıada
(F-514) test-fires an Atmaca anti-ship missile in the Black Sea in early November 2019.
(Roketsan)
Turkey has begun serial production of its indigenously developed Akya heavyweight torpedo (HWT), Atmaca surface-to-surface anti-ship guided missile, and Sapan anti-aircraft air-defence missile.

The utilisation of dry support bridge technology improves the mobility on the battlefield and helps to foster partnerships between nations.

A file photo of an RNLAF F-35A Lightning II of the type now assigned to the BENELUX air-defence mission. (Royal Netherlands Air Force)
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft have taken on air-defence duties for the BENELUX countries of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg for the first time.
NATO Allied Air Command announced the milestone on 25 January, saying that a pair of Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) F-35As at Leeuwarden Air Base had been assigned to the mission, marking a first for the fifth-generation ‘stealth’ fighter.

Kintsugi plans to bring out a road-legal concept of the Magnus hybrid propulsion vehicle by 2025. (Janes/Amit Kalra)
United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based artificial intelligence (AI) electric solution provider Kintsugi unveiled its Magnus tactical ground vehicle concept on the opening day of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX) 2024 show held in Abu Dhabi from 23 to 25 January.
The Magnus concept is being developed by Kintsugi subsidiary Eneron.

Navy Processing Days, or P-Days, is a challenging time at boot camp. Although formal training has not officially begun, recruits should remember to stand at attention, respond only when spoken to, and follow each direction exactly as told. A lot of information will be given, so it is best to pay close attention and then work to follow the instructions to the best of your ability. 
A good rule of thumb is to respond “aye, aye” to instructions, meaning you understand and will comply.
Recruits will undergo medical, dental, and administrative screenings.

The U.S. Army and Navy are exploring arrangements to extend secure environments to their smaller defense industrial base partners who can’t afford to earn a cybersecurity accreditation with the Pentagon but provide innovative services the branches still want to leverage.

A major step in the modernisation of the Gray Eagle GE-25M comes with the announcement of its first flight in December 2023.

Image by Oregon National Guard

COVID-19 and Vaccine Mandates
The COVID-19 pandemic created havoc around the world. Death. Illness. Overcrowded hospitals. School closures. Stay at home orders. Shuttered churches and businesses. Mask mandates. And more.
Big pharma produced a vaccine and secured Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for it by December 2020. Public health officials implemented a large-scale effort to vaccinate the entire population.

The UK Royal Navy is looking to upgrade the search radars of its 30 Merlin HM2 helicopters as it seeks to extend the type’s service life out to 2040. (Janes/Patrick Allen)
The UK Royal Navy (RN) is to upgrade the radar of its Lockheed Martin AW101 Merlin HM2 maritime helicopters to see them out to their planned 2040 retirement date.

The first episode of Masters of the Air introduces us to Majors John “Bucky” Egan and Gale “Buck” Cleven. It’s true that the two men met before the war during their military training and that Bucky gave Buck his nickname because Cleven reminded him of someone he knew in Wisconsin who goes by “Buck.” Where Bucky is a drinking, sports-following, good-time-kind-of-guy, Buck doesn’t even like dancing. However, both men are skilled pilots and respected leaders who complement each others’ swagger.

General Dynamics, a major US defence prime, has reported the highest year-end backlog of $93.6bn in its entire financial history.

The military presence in the Middle East and the Red Sea since the Gaza conflict broke out could cost the US more than $2.1 billion, but Washington does not have the budget to pay for it.

The US military has spent about 1.6 billion USD to dispatch more warships, fighters, and military equipment to the Middle East in the past 4 months since the Gaza war broke out, two unnamed US officials said on May 24. One said, citing a Pentagon report.

Ukraine posted a video of its forces successfully intercepting Russian cruise missiles with a more than 90-year-old US-made Browning machine gun.

“Mobile air defense units in the north downed a number of enemy cruise missiles, one of which was shot down by a Browning heavy machine gun,” said Lieutenant General Serhii Naiev, Commander of the Joint Command, The senior staff agency in the Ukrainian army said on January 23.
The video Mr. Naiev posted shows the Russian raid taking place at night.

NatDefM
The U.S. Marine Corps’ Force Design 2030 modernization program isn’t about 2030 anymore, at least it shouldn’t be, a top official said.
Gen.

DS
Marine Corps leaders see opportunities for the Pentagon’s Replicator initiative to accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge capabilities.

Harry McNeil, Army Technology
Raytheon’s Commander’s Independent Viewer (CIV) system was awarded to upgrade Bradley Fighting Vehicles, elevating battlefield capabilities.

Sandboxx N.

L. Thompson, Forbes
“Struggling”—that’s the word Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall used in December to describe one of his service’s biggest and most important modernization projects.

Germany is funding a Boxer-mounted prototype short-range anti-aircraft missile system, but manufacturers prioritise further targets.

Maharaja Lela
, seen here under construction at Lumut, more than two years after its ceremonial launch.
(Malaysia Ministry of Defence)
Malaysia’s Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) has once again pushed back the expected delivery date for the country’s first Maharaja Lela-class littoral combat ship (LCS).
A report published by a government-convened Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on 24 January indicates that the frigate-like ship will now be delivered in October 2026. This is an almost two-year delay from the November 2024 target that was projected earlier.

Production of the MUAV will allow South Korea to significantly enhance its unmanned intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. (Janes/DAPA/South Korea MND/Photo by Amit Kalra)
South Korea has started production of its domestically developed Medium-Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (MUAV).
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said on 25 January that the induction of the MUAV will enhance the Republic of Korea (RoK) military’s critical reconnaissance capabilities.

An Ajax armoured vehicle displayed at Defence iQ’s IAV 2024 conference held in London from 22 to 25 January. (Janes/Nicholas Fiorenza)
The British Army only has confirmed funding for 18% of its GBP44 billion (USD55.9 billion) Equipment Plan 2023–33, British Army’s Chief of the General Staff General Patrick Sanders told Defence iQ’s International Armoured Vehicle (IAV) 2024 conference held in London from 22 to 25 January.

A testbed radar – installed atop a 40 ft tower acting as a proxy ship mast – has been employed by NSWCDD since mid-2020 as an FXR test asset and risk reduction system. (US Navy)
A request for information (RFI) released by US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) on 16 January has called for industry input to inform future decisions on development and initial production of the Future X-band Radar (FXR) being planned for large surface combatants, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, and amphibious ships.

This winter, Ukraine’s military is visibly running on fumes, as recent reporting shows M109 Paladin artillery outside Bakhmut receiving only smoke shells for ammunition. When we were last there in November, shell hunger was widespread along the front, and the situation has only gotten worse. Following months of hard fighting, Ukraine’s offensive in 2023 proved a missed opportunity. The current situation is also not sustainable long term. It is clear Ukraine and the West need a new strategic vision. This means planning beyond the next six months or the next offensive operation.

Sea Ghost maritime attack USV can be configured to carry different warheads without much change to the base design. (Janes)
The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) Innovation Composites Aerospace Group showcased the Sea Ghost maritime attack unmanned surface vessel (USV) at the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX) 2024 show held in Abu Dhabi from 23 to 25 January.

Speaking to
Janes
on 24 January, Christoph Jung, project manager at Innovation Composites Aerospace Group, said the Sea Ghost is an advanced USV with configurable attack capabilities.

The Gidrán is a version of Nurol Makina’s Ejder Yalçın modified for the Hungarian Defence Forces. (HDF)

Hungary has a framework agreement for Nurol Makina vehicles,
Janes
learnt at Defence iQ’s International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) 2024 conference being held in London from 22 to 25 January.

The agreement was signed in October 2023 for up to 600 Nurol Makina 4×4 vehicles, including the Gidrán version of the Ejder Yalçın modified for the Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF) and different versions and sizes of the Turkish company’s NMS vehicle.

Edge Group’s HT-100 was revealed at Dubai Airshow 2023. (Edge Group)
The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) Edge Group signed a contract to supply 200 HT-100 and HT-750 unmanned helicopters to the country’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) during the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX) 2024 show held in Abu Dhabi from 23 to 25 January.
In a statement issued on 25 January, Edge Group said the deal is the largest order for unmanned helicopter systems from the UAE MoD.

DoD
The Pentagon’s “lack of a comprehensive, coordinated approach to address” Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) “may pose a threat to military forces and national security,” the Defense Department’s inspector general (DoD OIG) stated publicly for the first time on Thursday. UAP is the Pentagon’s new term art for UFOs.

Airline Videos (@airlinevideos)
SpaceX appears to have quietly acquired a new aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 airliner, and has been painted it in an eye-catching two-tone gray and black paint job. How the company might be planning to employ this aircraft is unknown, but possibilities include use as a corporate shuttle, a testbed of some kind, or both. Its paint job and potential mission has also evoked comparisons to some of the most secretive 737s on the planet – but more on that later.

Via X
A new video features a familiar-looking missile flight profile and seeker perspective from a very unfamiliar source. The clip shows a missile being launched and quickly climbing before flying toward a cliff-side Israeli surveillance outpost along the border with Lebanon. The weapon then dives towards its target — a dome structure — before the screen goes dark. While this looks very much like the videos we have seen from Israeli Spike-series anti-tank missiles over the years, instead this footage comes from the country’s nemesis to the north, Hezbollah.

Despite the attack on the military facilities of the Yemeni Houthis, the United States, together with Great Britain, could not stop terrorist attacks on civilian shipping, and therefore, the Administration of the President of the United States, Joe Biden, is now developing a plan for a long military campaign, which, in turn, is the reason for the emergence of disturbing thoughts in several officials that such actions could involve the country in an unpredictable conflict in the Middle East.

USS Dwight D.

The Pentagon is in the midst of launching five new Defense Innovation OnRamp Hubs where startups, academia, industry and others in specific regions around the U.S. can more strategically engage and directly connect with department officials to commercialize in-demand, dual-use technologies that are also being prioritized in their local areas. 
A program office within the Defense Innovation Unit, the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), officially unveiled the latest of those hubs in Seattle Jan. 21.

The Pentagon pushed back on reports that the U.S. is withdrawing from Iraq as the two countries announced a joint military commission focused on the next stage of its mission to defeat ISIS. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Terry Vongsouthi).
The Pentagon pushed back on reports that the U.S. is withdrawing from Iraq as the two countries announced a joint military commission focused on the next stage of its mission to defeat ISIS.
U.S. officials on Thursday announced the launch of the Higher Military Commission, or HMC. The working group plans to assess the U.S.

USAF
Northrop Grumman has disclosed a loss of nearly $1.2 billion on the B-21 Raider stealth bomber program. The company also now says it expects to take a financial hit on each of the first five low-rate production lots of these aircraft. This all comes just days after the Pentagon disclosed it had awarded the first B-21 low-rate production contract. Still, a loss at this time pales in comparison to the revenue the program could generate for the company over its lifetime, if it’s executed as currently envisioned.

Here are 5 practical ways to achieve financial wellness:
1. Create a spending plan and stick to it
One of the fundamental steps toward achieving financial stability is creating a realistic budget. Take the time to assess your monthly income, fixed expenses and discretionary spending.
Identify areas where you can cut back, allocate funds for savings and set aside an emergency fund. Utilize budgeting tools or apps to track your spending and stay accountable to your financial goals. A well-structured budget can help you manage your money more effectively and avoid unnecessary debt.
2.

US Army
As Russia’s full-on invasion drags on toward a third year, Ukraine is finding itself increasingly outgunned when it comes to vital artillery ammunition.
A recent CNN report highlighted that problem, with one Ukrainian fire team only receiving smoke rounds after their magazine went empty, while the Russians are firing 10 times as many shells on a daily basis.

Ukraine’s ammo shortage becoming more difficult by the day. Around Bakhmut an M109 position we visited only got smoke rounds. The division commander says the current ratio is 10:1 in favor of the Russians.

2023 was a tough year for a lot of Americans. Higher gas prices, mortgages and rents through the roof, and inflation still driving up the cost of standard goods and services. As you rearrange your financial priorities for the new year, having a solid plan is more important than ever.
Even for military members with a guaranteed paycheck, (tax-free if you’re deployed), many are left with enormous credit card bills, little to no savings, and a poor credit score.

Marines of the People’s Liberation Army Navy stand at attention as Commander, Pacific Fleet Rear Adm. Gary Roughead greets them following a demonstration of the brigade’s capabilities. (Lance Corporal J.J. Harper/U.S. Marine Corps).
The People’s Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps, or PLANMC, is a small yet growing component of the Chinese military that can project power in Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere.

(Image via Apple TV+).
A B-17 Flying Fortress just came to a stop on the runway, medical crews rushing a badly wounded gunner into an ambulance. The surviving bomber crews stagger out of the other planes, battered and bleeding. And only then does the camera spin around to show the state of the Fort. Bits of the wings are ripped off, the fuselage is riddled with bullet holes and shrapnel damage. One or two engines are barely intact. How the plane was able to fly is anyone’s guess. And this isn’t the worst possible outcome. Welcome to the air war. Welcome to Masters of the Air.

Marine Corps leaders see opportunities for the Pentagon’s Replicator initiative to accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge capabilities. However, there will be significant integration challenges once the autonomous systems are ready to be fielded, according to a top officer.
The goal for the first increment is to deliver thousands of relatively low-cost, “attritable” systems to the joint force by early- to mid-2025 to help U.S. Indo-Pacific Command counter China’s military buildup.

What is the value of a U.S. aircraft carrier? How are the Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy held to financial account? And why does the Department of Defense keep failing its audit? Ryan sat down with Russell Rumbaugh, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management & Comptroller), to discuss the budget, its relationship with the comprehensive ship building review, the ongoing challenges with building more ships and submarines, and the need to ramp up munition production. Image: U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Jared M.

Aldo Bidini via Wikiscommons (GNU 1.2)
U.S. President Joe Biden wants lawmakers to approve the sale of F-16s to Turkey “without delay,” potentially opening the way for Ankara’s long-stalled acquisition of the fighters. The move comes after Turkey finally gave its approval for Sweden to join it in the NATO alliance, something that had long been viewed as a requirement for a new F-16 purchase to go through.
An unnamed U.S.