Zita Ballinger Fletcher, History Net
Was this sword Ulysses Grant’s good luck charm during the Civil War?

One of two new Su-30 combat aircraft received by Ethiopia on 16 January. (FDRE Defense Force)
Ethiopia has received new Sukhoi Su-30 ‘Flanker’ fighters and Baykar Bayraktar Akıncı armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The Ethiopian National Defense Force (FDRE Defense Force) reported the arrival of an undisclosed number of Su-30s on 16 January, with the state-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) reporting the arrival of an undisclosed number of Akıncı UAVs on the same day.

Mitsubishi Electric and Northrop Grumman will collaborate on integrating Japan’s air and missile defence systems.

Germany’s Ministry of Defence released details of military research into an operations planning tool, the SWA Position Selection Assistant.

OpenAI has deleted part of its terms and conditions which prohibited the use of its AI technology for military and warfare purposes.

North Korea released images of leader Kim Jong-un inspecting two UAV models similar in appearance to the US RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper.

North Korea’s central television station, KCTV, on January 15, published images of leader Kim Jong-un inspecting the air force base that operates the country’s most modern unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The filming time was not disclosed, but Mr. Kim’s outfit showed that the visit seemed to take place in the summer and fall.

Iranian media reported that the country had raided two Jaish al-Adl armed group bases in Pakistan, a move that faced opposition from Islamabad.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) used missiles and UAVs to attack two bases of the armed group Jaish al-Adl in Balochistan province, western Pakistan, Iranian media reported on January 16, but not specifically stated.
Two Pakistani security officials said Iran attacked and damaged a temple in Panjgur district, about 50 km from the border between the two countries.

Russian forces began deploying a new “Hellfire” UAV model that could drop 9 grenades in a carpet pattern into Ukrainian trenches.

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer Rustehnodron said on January 16 that it has delivered hundreds of first-person UAV (FPV) models named Inferno (Hellfire) made by this company to the Russian military in Ukraine, adding that this force has begun using them to raid enemy targets.
“The ‘Hellfire’ UAV can carry 9 grenades.

America’s adversaries, including both state and non-state actors, have developed creative ways of using cheap, commercially available, and easily weaponized drones to assassinate opponents, destroy tanks, wage surprise attacks, smuggle drugs, and even conduct aerial dogfighting. Most recently, extremist groups such as the Houthis in Yemen have used drones to attack commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The democratization of drone technology means that countries, as well as terrorist organizations and “lone wolves,” are now able to conduct attacks with near impunity.

The DRDO showcased a scale model of the Zorawar light tank at Defexpo 2022 held in October 2022 in Gandhinagar. (Janes/Kapil Kajal)

India’s state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has “successfully” developed a fully functional prototype of the Zorawar light tank, Vipin Kumar Kaushik, director of the DRDO’s Directorate of Public Interface, told
Janes
on 16 January.

An artist’s portrayal of the Northrop Grumman LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM. (Northrop Grumman)
Northrop Grumman has fired the second-stage solid-fuel rocket motor for the LGM-35A Sentinel nuclear missile for the first time, the company announced on 16 January.
The test was conducted inside a vacuum chamber at the US Air Force’s Arnold Engineering Development Complex in Tullahoma, Tennessee, intended to simulate the high-altitude and space environments in which the motor would operate. Data from the test is to be compared against digitally simulated models, said Northrop Grumman.

Janes Defence Budgets estimates a marginal increase in North Korea’s defence spending in 2024. (Janes Defence Budgets)
North Korea said on 16 January that it expects to spend 15.9% of total government expenditure in 2024 on defence. The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not provide a monetary figure, but the proportion is the same as in recent years.
In 2023 Janes tracked North Korea’s defence budget at about USD1.47 billion.

Neil W.

Lockheed Martin
The U.S. Army has successfully flight tested a new seeker that will help transform its new Precision Strike Missile short-range ballistic missile into weapon that can strike moving ships and enemy air defenses. This news comes as Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have become the first to fire anti-ship ballistic missiles in anger and are now regularly using them in attacks in and around the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The Navy’s latest, five-month exercise to test and refine maritime drone concepts for future fleet operations — which is coming to a close this week — has demonstrated what it will take for the sea service to integrate and maintain uncrewed surface vessels in expeditionary environments moving forward, according to Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley. 
Daley leads Unmanned Surface Vessel Division One (USVDIV-1), the team that operates the four USV prototypes that recently transited the Pacific Ocean with mostly autonomous navigation via the Navy’s Integrated Battle Problem 23.2.

As the Russia-Ukraine conflict surpasses 600 days, a growing weariness pervades American and Western sentiments, particularly within Ukraine. Following a significant counterattack failure, the desperation of the Zelensky regime has heightened the call for peace talks from the United States and the West, indicating a potential breakthrough on the horizon.
Signs of Compromise Emerging
Recent developments underscore a shift in opinions, suggesting a willingness for Ukraine to compromise with Russia.

Harry Hardman is charged with two counts of murder and one count of animal cruelty after police say he shot two women on the front lawn of his home in Apex, North Carolina. Army officials confirmed that Hardman was an infantry officer and finance official in the Army from 2009 to 2015. Police photo.
A former Army infantry officer and West Point graduate is charged with shooting and killing two women on the front lawn of his home in a suburban neighborhood outside Raleigh, North Carolina.

YouTube Screencap
Iran used its new Kheiber Shekan medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) for the first time Monday when it struck what it claimed was a “terrorist facility” in Syria’s Idlib province. The attack was one of three Iran carried out in three countries over the past two days. Iran also attacked what it claimed was an Israeli Mossad facility in Erbil on Monday and what it claimed were “terrorist” sites in an unprecedented attack in Pakistan on Tuesday.

The Space Development Agency announced Tuesday that it has tapped L3Harris, Lockheed Martin and Sierra Space to build and operate 54 satellites able to track advanced missile threats, including six space vehicles able to produce data accurate enough to generate an intercept solution.
The satellites will make up Tranche 2 of the agency’s tracking layer, a planned constellation of spacecraft that will give warfighters global coverage of the Earth for missile warning, tracking and defeat missions.
Under the other-transaction prototype agreements — worth a combined $2.

CENTCOM
The U.S. military has offered a look at anti-ship cruise missile and medium-range ballistic missile components, as well as sensor turrets, that were recently seized during a U.S. Navy SEAL raid of a dhow. This materiel was bound for Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, which have their arsenals of exactly these kinds of capabilities targeted in U.S. and British strikes in the past week.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released pictures and other information about the seized materiel, which was recovered from an unnamed dhow off the coast of Somalia on January 11.

Soldiers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team jump from an Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft at Fort Liberty, N.C. in 2013.Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod.
The 82nd Airborne Division has identified a paratrooper who died last week after being struck by a minivan while he was riding an electric bike as Army Capt. John Nicholson.

Air Force 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh won the title of Miss America 2024 on Sunday in Orlando, Florida. She competed at the pageant as Miss Colorado, a title she won last spring as a senior at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
An Air Force Academy graduate and trainee pilot won the Miss America pageant Sunday, the first active duty service member to win the crown.
Air Force 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh won the title of Miss America 2024 on Sunday in Orlando, Florida.

The Marine Corps is shifting its approach to the network, opting to focus more on getting data to the right place to enable faster decision-making.
The change is part of the Corps’ Network Modernization, or NETMOD, plan, which is a framework developed by the Office of the Deputy Commandant for Information to align resources and priorities for the network. It is a continual effort that is updated each year.

RIA Novosti
Russian authorities declared a state of emergency in the city of Voronezh in southern Russia after what they described as a Ukrainian drone attack overnight. It appears that the airbase close to the city may have been the target, which would suggest that Kyiv is continuing its attacks on Russian airpower, using a variety of means to ensure Russian aircraft are under threat in the air and on the ground.
The Russian news outlet Shot reported that at least 15 explosions were heard near the airbase and some drone debris fell onto a nearby apartment building.

via X
The U.S. launched a preemptive strike against Houthi targets in Yemen early Tuesday morning Yemen time, destroying four anti-ship ballistic missiles being prepared for launch, a U.S. defense official told The War Zone. This is the first time the U.S. has launched what a second U.S. official called an “imminent self-defense strike” against Houthi missiles being prepared to launch. The first official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss operational details, declined to say how those strikes were carried out, citing operational security concerns.

India showcases the advanced missile system, AKASH-NG, with the capability to intercept high-speed aerial threats.

U.S. Cyber Command is getting more serious about leveraging capabilities the services are developing for on-the-ground, tactical operations to jam or disrupt enemy systems.
Each of the services, in one way or another, has been developing forces and capabilities to conduct tactically focused, on-the-ground cyber and electronic warfare effects, known as radio frequency-enabled cyber.
Increasingly, there are targets that either aren’t reachable through traditional IP-based networks or remote access might not be possible, which is primarily what Cyber Command does.

On Sunday night, January 14, 2024, U.S. Air Force officer Madison Marsh made history when she was crowned the 2024 Miss America in Orlando. The 22-year-old Miss Colorado competed against 50 other contestants (one representing every state and one from the District of Columbia) and became the first-ever active duty service member to earn the title.
Marsh is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and the first contestant to be an Academy grad. On Instagram, Marsh wrote, “Miss Academy – a woman who does both.

Sending a loved one off to basic training can be difficult, and figuring out the best ways to support your recruit in basic training can be even harder. Communication during boot camp is limited, and your recruit may be nervous about what to expect. Family and friends often feel worried, far away or helpless during basic training. But it’s important to remember that your recruit’s decision to serve is one you should be proud of, and there are many ways that you can support your recruit in basic training: 
1.

Serbia is procuring equipment including 81 Miloš II 4×4 multi-purpose armoured combat vehicles (pictured during a live-firing demonstration at the Nikinci testing range on 18 July 2023). (Serbian MoD)
Serbia will spend nearly EUR740 million (USD810. million) in 2024 on new military equipment, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced on 13 January during a visit to Serbia’s Military Security Agency.

Norman Jewison made a career out of making Oscar-nominated and winning films focused on the need for acceptance and understanding. His films focused on social and political issues of the times, making his works easily transferable from the screen to daily life. His works include a slew of wonderful stories, including In the Heat of the Night, Fiddler on the Roof, Moonstruck, The Thomas Crown Affair, The Russians Are Coming: the Russians Are Coming, The Cincinnati Kid, A Soldier’s Story, Rollerball, Jesus Christ Superstar, …And Justice for All, The Hurricane and many more.

AF Tech
The U.S. Department of Defense will integrate its legacy HARM missiles instead of the upgraded AARGM due to inventory shortfall.

LaGrone, USNIN
The commander of an East Coast nuclear guided-missile submarine was removed from command last week, the U.S. Navy announced on Monday.

Kris Osborn, Warrior Maven
BAE Systems has been working with the Navy to mature Mk45 technology, some of which goes back to previous service efforts on a “rail gun,” however the firm has…

Sean Carberry, NatDefMag
Australia is hardly the only country drawing such conclusions from the war in Ukraine.

Nick Childs, IISS
A revolution is underway in the deployment of uninhabited aerial vehicles from ships at sea.

The Australian Defence Forces award a GMLRS production contract to Lockheed Martin Australia as a way of cultivating a sovereign industry.

The Emirati defence conglomerate, EDGE Group, is committed to supporting the BRazilian smart weapons company expand jobs and capacity.

The M142 HIMARS – pictured above from Exercise ‘Talisman Sabre’ 2019 – is a 227 mm (six-round) MLRS. HIMARS can hit targets at a range of 70 km using GMLRS missiles. (Australian Department of Defence)
The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has awarded a contract worth AUD37.4 million (USD24.9 million) to Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA) to manufacture guided multiple launch rocket system (GMLRS) missiles in Australia, the DoD said in a press release on 16 January.

Nato: Amidst global threats, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has announced a measure aimed at deterring foes and reinforcing national defense.

In early December, the Department of Defense Intellectual Property Cadre hosted its inaugural “DoD IP Forum,” where government and industry leaders convened to debate the growing role of commercial software in national security and how the U.S. government can improve its intellectual property posture towards industry to achieve better outcomes for the department. At first glance, the issue of commercial intellectual property rights may seem unrelated to how the U.S.

Policymakers around the world are grappling with the new opportunities and dangers that artificial intelligence presents. Of all the effects that AI can have on the world, among the most consequential would be integrating it into the command and control for nuclear weapons. Improperly used, AI in nuclear operations could have world-ending effects. If properly implemented, it could reduce nuclear risk by improving early warning and detection and enhancing the resilience of second-strike capabilities, both of which would strengthen deterrence.

Recently, the Houthi armed forces announced indiscriminate attacks on US and British ships, which has attracted attention. However, in a large-scale missile attack on January 9, the Houthi armed forces failed to break through the US military’s Aegis system, resulting in all missiles and drones being successfully intercepted. Why are the Houthis unable to penetrate the Aegis system? How powerful is the Aegis system, and what is the technological gap behind it? We will explore this issue in depth.

The Turkish Air Force attacked Kurdish positions in northern Iraq and Syria after border clashes left many soldiers dead.

On January 15, the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that the country’s air force attacked a series of positions in northern Iraq and Syria to “ensure border security and prevent attacks”. The agency also released images showing a number of fighters carrying bombs and arrows taking off day and night to participate in air strikes.

The DRDO conducted a successful flight test of the new-generation missile from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha, in mid-January. (Indian Ministry of Defence)
India’s state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has test-fired the new-generation Akash (Akash-NG) surface-to-air missile (SAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off India’s northeastern coast of Odisha, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a press release in mid-January.

Date Posted: 12-Jan-2024Author:  James Trigg, LondonPublication: Jane’s Country Risk Daily ReportKey pointsEvent: US and UK forces launched a series of airstrikes against Ansar Allah on 12 January, targeting the group’s capability to launch UAVs and missilesSignificance: These strikes also came after Ansar Allah launched its largest barrage of missiles and UAVs to date towards the Red Sea on 9 January, deliberately targeting a US warship for the first timeOutlook: Ansar Allah will almost certainly seek to respond with further missile and UAV attacks targeting th

The Swedish Armed Forces plan to contribute army units to NATO’s forward presence in Latvia no earlier than 2025, with the first rotation consisting of professional soldiers and officers, mainly from the Skåne Regiment’s 71st Battalion, which is equipped with the AMV (pictured). (Swedish Armed Forces/Tim Gustavsson)
The Swedish Armed Forces announced on their website on 9 January that they plan to contribute army units to NATO’s forward presence in Latvia.

KCNA
Images posted to the Chinese social media platform Weibo appear to be stills from a previously undisclosed inspection by North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un of the country’s most advanced drones. These are almost exact visual copies of the well-known U.S.-made RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Sunday, North Korea carried out its long-anticipated test of a solid fuel intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM), and it had an intriguing payload on top.

The European aerospace, defence and security industry experienced a 14% drop in hiring activity in Q4 2023, led by Thales’s 20% share, according to GlobalData

The Singaporean aerospace, defence and security industry experienced a 13% drop in hiring activity in Q4 2023, led by RTX’s 34% share, according to GlobalData