A soldier from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (11th ACR) operates a Mounted Mission Command-Software (MMC-S)-based system during a training mission at Ft Irwin, California. (US Army)
The US Army is developing a new slate of advanced software designed to improve collection, dissemination, and exploitation of battlefield intelligence at the tactical level, according to a service solicitation.

Kris Osborn, Warrior Maven
A powerful US Navy Carrier USS Dwight D.

Stephen B. Young, Real Clear Defense
In the movie Patton, the great American general (played by actor George C.

Nextgov
A report from a State Department advisory board on AI’s impact on arms control, nonproliferation and verification warned that the tech “is likely to lower barriers to biological and…

Glenn Corn, Cipher Brief
he Cipher Brief: There have been concerns since the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas that another front to this war might open up…

IE
Lockheed Martin has announced that its Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) has completed its minimum short-range qualification fire testing at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

Firing of the Brahmos-ER. (Ministry of Defence, India)
India has carried out another test fire of its extended-range (ER) BrahMos PJ-10 supersonic cruise missile from a Kolkata/Visakhapatnam (Project 15A/15B)-class guided destroyer, the country’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) disclosed on 27 November.

The missile was fired from the programme’s sixth hull, which will be in service as INS
Imphal
once it is commissioned. It was fired as part of the vessel’s pre-commissioning trials, the ministry added.

Rohde & Schwarz unveiled a compact version of its Ardronis family of C-UASs. The system was seen operating at NATO’s Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Technical Interoperability Exercise (C-UAS TIE23). (Janes/Olivia Savage)
Germany-based Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) has unveiled a new counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) called Ardronis Locate Compact.

In 2019, three military spouses – Maria Reed, Jessica Manfre and Samantha Gomolka – were asked to run a GivingTuesday campaign. While the majority of initiatives and campaigns for the big day focused on giving back to nonprofits, the three spouses introduced a new currency for the movement: Kindness. Introducing GivingTuesdayMilitary.
GivingTuesday was initiated in 2012 by Henry Timms at the 92nd Street Y in New York, co-founded with the United Nations Foundation with support from Black Sheep.

Christmas is right around the corner, and you may be wondering what the best Christmas gifts for hunters may be. Well, lucky for you, shopping for a hunter (or any gun guy or gal) is easy. 
Even the simplest gifts, like wool socks or batteries for their favorite headlamp, go a long way, so you don’t have to worry about spending a ton of money on something they may or may not like. 
It just goes to show you that gun lovers aren’t so expensive after all.

USAF
The B61-12 nuclear bomb is now formally in the U.S. stockpile and cleared for operational use on the B-2A Spirit stealth bomber. It’s the first U.S. combat aircraft cleared to employ the advanced B61 variant operationally.
U.S. Air Force F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, F-15E Strike Eagles, and F-16C/D Vipers, as well as the service’s future B-21A Raider stealth bombers, are also in the process of being certified to employ the B61-12.

Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images
Another 11 hostages were freed and returned to Israel today — the fourth hostage release so far — as Israel and Hamas agreed to extend the current ceasefire by two days.
The extension to the four-day truce was engineered after the intervention of Qatar and Egypt, according to Hamas. Those two countries were also behind the initial ceasefire, and the 48-hour extension will keep the same terms as before. The agreement came with only around 12 hours left before hostilities were due to resume.

US ARMY
The Ukrainian Air Force has now confirmed that a number of Russian aircraft shot down back in May over their own territory were indeed destroyed by a foreign-supplied Patriot air defense system. The possibility that Ukraine’s newly acquired Patriots may have been responsible for blasting those aircraft out of the sky was highlighted by The War Zone back in July, following the release of video by the Ukrainian Air Force seemingly linking the destruction of three Russian helicopters on May 13 to a Patriot system.

Forbes
The U.S. Navy is facing a challenging future.

A post on X by a former Marine about ‘Mustang’ officers set off a firestorm of social media reaction. Task & Purpose composite photo/ Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Cavenaile/U.S. Navy.
Marine veteran Ivan Snook set social media aflame on Sunday after posting that the U.S. military should stop allowing enlisted service members to become officers.
“Mustangs erode the esteem, legitimacy and distinct culture of the officer corps like merchants marrying into the aristocracy,” Snook posted on X.

via Twitter
A massive cyclonic storm that hit the Black Sea area Monday is a vivid illustration of how weather effects combat operations. With wind speeds of up to 90 mph, it was the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane. The storm’s impact could allow Ukraine to exploit gaps that emerge, even if temporarily, in air and port defenses, sea surveillance, among others. Major logistical disruptions to the war effort are also a given.

To date, the F-15E has recorded more than 100 victories without losses, demonstrating its might in Operation Desert Storm.

The  F-15E Strike Eagle, a war machine born in the Cold War, faced challenges against Russia.

The impact of the  F-15E Strike Eagle  on culture and its evolution
Built to dominate the skies, the F-15E Strike Eagle became an icon, standing out in an aerial simulator of the 80s, selling 1.5 million copies.
The development of the F-15E began in the 1960s, ending deliveries in 2002. This warrior eagle has been exported worldwide since the 1990s.

An Army-developed app aims to connect military spouses with job opportunities and childcare resources — two major challenges they face with active-duty partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cydney Lee).
In 2023, military spouse unemployment was at nearly 21%, according to the DOD.
But an Army-developed app may soon connect military spouses with on-base and nearby employment opportunities, along with childcare resources – two major challenges that military families say are major issues for married service members.
Army Chief of Staff General Randy A.

Marine and Air Force Reserve veteran David Baturin was killed in Ukraine on Oct. 7, 2023. (Facebook photo).
Marine Corps and Air Force Reserve veteran David Baturin felt an obligation to protect Ukrainian children following Russia’s invasion of the country, said his former pastor in Galloway, Ohio.
“This is what basically was tearing him apart: Seeing kids dying in Ukraine, innocent people dying in Ukraine,” Rev. Viktor Moskalyuk told Task & Purpose. “So, it was just a calling of his heart.

Doug Patteson lived the case officer life for ten years, with three overseas PCS and many TDY trips. Photo courtesy of Doug Patteson. (Task & Purpose composite image).
CIA case officers have an exciting job. Tradecraft, foreign language, and expertise in using breaking-edge technology are hallmarks of a CIA case officer, leading to assignments all over the world. But not much is known about the day-to-day lives of the men and women working for the Agency. 
When you think of spy, you typically think of James Bond or someone or maybe Jason Bourne.

The Space Force’s acquisition branch announced Monday that the first group of satellites for its future constellation designed to track high-speed missiles from medium-Earth orbit (MEO) has completed critical design review. 
The successful review paves the way for six systems — part of Epoch 1 of the service’s Resilient Missile Warning and Missile Tracking – MEO (MEO MW/MT) program — to move into production. Those satellites are on track to be launched in late 2026, according to a Space Systems Command press release.
“We are rolling out these capabilities as fast as possible.

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks is set to brief senior officials in the United Kingdom this week on the ambitious effort she recently launched to enable the U.S. military to field thousands of low-cost autonomous systems across multiple domains in less than two years, as the Pentagon aims to offset China’s military buildup.
This meeting in the U.K. marks the first official international engagement Hicks and her team will hold on the Replicator initiative, Pentagon Spokesperson Eric Pahon told DefenseScoop on Monday.
“She is going to talk with U.K.

U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Patrick Katz
The CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopter is, by all accounts, a truly monstrous machine. A recent image taken by the Marine Corps gives an excellent visualization of its gargantuan proportions, framing its giant rotor mast in relation to a Marine sitting atop it.
The image, seen above, depicts U.S. Marine Corps Sgt.

Chinese Internet via X
Testing of the catapults on the Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian has begun. This is an important step forward in the construction of this ship, which is set to be the first carrier in the People’s Liberation Army Navy, or PLAN, that launches aircraft in this way rather than via a ski jump at the bow.
Videos and pictures emerged over the weekend showing a red-colored catapult test ‘truck’ on Fujian‘s deck.

The Army unveiled its first doctrinal publication focused solely on the information dimension of military action.
The highly anticipated document, released publicly on Monday, was many years in the works. It aims to provide a framework for creating and exploiting information advantages during operations as well as at home station, according to officials.
The U.S. military as a whole has begun a shift, recognizing the importance information plays not only in conflict but in everyday life.

Many forget the intense war in the shadows during the 1980s as America took measures to protect the oil flow from the Persian Gulf.
Operation Ernest Will was the re-flagging and protection of Kuwaiti tankers to protect them from Iranian attacks in 1987 and 1988. The sub-operation of Nimble Archer was a kinetic action against Iranian Gulf Oil Platforms
Then there was Operation Praying Mantis in 1988 – a furious one day operation that devastated the Iranian Navy. And there were other actions, acknowledged and not acknowledged which gave U.S.

Nearly a third of veterans say their ideal job has changed over the last three to four years, rating flexible work environments, “people skills” and work-life balance as top values.
More than 200,000 military members transition out of service each year. From relocation to financial shifts, the degree of change can be wide ranging for many veterans. To help ease the shifts, Navy Federal Credit Union, in partnership with Hire Heroes USA®, surveyed over 1,000 veterans to identify the top careers and most important characteristics of their ideal job after military service.

Blipshift/TheWarZone
One of the most anticipated aviation events in recent memory came and went on November 10th when the B-21 Raider took to the skies for the first time. The big flying wing draped in gray looked like an apparition as it climbed out of Palmdale’s Plant 42 with little official fanfare. Now, to commemorate what is the most ghostly aircraft that is officially disclosed, and to celebrate a very stealthy holiday season this year, we introduce you to ‘Raider the unfriendly ghost.

The Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur, Legion of Honor, is the highest French order of merit for both military personnel and civilians. Established in 1802 by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, the French government presents the award to foreigners who have supported or defended France. For his participation in the liberation of France during WWII, a 100-year-old retired Army infantry officer received the Legion of Honor.
Jones received the Legion of Honor in front of a packed stadium (twitter.

U.S. Navy photo by Bill Mesta/released
Two ballistic missiles fired from Yemen came down in the Red Sea in the vicinity of the destroyer USS Mason (DDG-87). At the time, the warship was concluding its response to a distress call from the M/V Central Park, a commercial vessel that had itself come under attack from a group of armed raiders that had attempted to board it. There are now several different theories as to the identity of those raiders.
A U.S.

Being the spouse of a Navy SEAL comes with unique challenges but Surinder Goode has faced harder circumstances. Now, she’s using stories to help military families find the good. Pun absolutely intended.
“I was born in England, and at a very early age, we moved up to Scotland. I come from a large immigrant family and I always knew that I was born in the wrong country. I never felt like I fit in and I always knew I wanted to come to the U.S. So, when the Gulf War happened I decided I was going to move to the Middle East,” she laughed.

Yes, we’ve all heard the saying that Chow is Continuous. I’m going to let you in on an infantry secret: the chow hall closes. My biggest pet peeve of being an 0311 was not the daily PT. It was missing chow because we would run to the other side of the earth and back. By the time you changed over, chow was closed. My best friend from high school happened to be stationed on the same street, as a cook, and would save food for my squad and I. This was back when OIF and OEF were in full force. He was the only non-grunt that could walk the shortcut through our quad. No, seriously.

Ukraine’s military rapidly modernized after 2014. But it still shows some of the Soviet Union’s wartime preferences, including a heavy reliance on artillery. While it cannot put the mass of fire downrange that Russia can, it is slowly whittling away Russia’s artillery advantage. This appears to be from a combination of Western aid, natural weapons fatigue, and Ukrainian’s destruction and capturing of Russian systems. But Ukraine faces tough logistics to prevent a reversal.

There’s a pedantic argument going on about whether Ukraine is currently in a stalemate with Russia. A lot of writers and commentors are arguing over whether the slow Ukrainian advance is stalled or still slowly moving. Or over whether the word stalemate implies that no further gain is possible, so does it apply here? But allow one more writer to weigh in, not on the meaning of stalemate, but why this isn’t one by any definition.
Ukraine has made huge, strategic gains that will serve it well next year.

Getty Images
Employee Resource Groups, also known as ERGs, are not only a great way for a company’s employees to meet and network, but they also encourage inclusivity by connecting professionals from similar backgrounds and helping them feel a deeper sense of belonging. ERGs also provide opportunities for employees who identify with multiple identities. For employers, it creates a positive work environment, helps recruiting and retention and fosters a talent pipeline of leaders with an inclusive mindset. It’s no wonder that around 90% of Fortune 500 companies have ERGs.

Lithuanian knights march through Vilnius on Nov. 25, 2023. (Photo courtesy Lithuanian’s Ministry of Defence).
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization boasts 31 nations in its ranks, millions of troops from those states, multiple arsenals of nuclear weapons and thousands of tanks. It also features knights in medieval armor.
At least five of them. Yes, really. And American soldiers just joined them for a military parade. 
Saturday, Nov. 25 was the 105th Lithuanian Armed Forces Day.

Ukrainian forces disguised their reconnaissance UAVs as eagles to avoid detection by Russia but were still intercepted by enemy electronic warfare equipment.

Last weekend, the Russian National Guard announced that its special forces, with the support of counterintelligence, had detected an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) disguised as an eagle operating in the area.
Russian forces used electronic warfare equipment to jam and cause the UAV to fall to the ground.

Yoav Gallant, Israel‘s Defense Minister, reported significant military advances in recent clashes in northern Israel.
According to Gallant, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have managed to eliminate more than 100 Hezbollah members. In addition, they have destroyed a considerable amount of the organization’s infrastructure, including observation posts, weapons depots, and other strategic locations.
Speaking following an assessment of the situation in northern Israel, Gallant stressed that these tactical achievements will have a significant impact on the future of the region.

The Government of Israel has announced changes to the 2023 budget, presented by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
These adjustments are primarily aimed at strengthening the country’s war effort. According to Smotrich, NIS 17 billion (about $4.5 billion) has been redirected toward defense, and another NIS 13.5 billion (about $3.6 billion) will go toward civilian war needs.
Among the emergency measures, the budget amendment includes the allocation of NIS 3.

Brent Sadler, The National Interest
The Navy is the instrument of choice for exercising national power.

The Australian government is seeking the expedited delivery of its ordered Sikorsky UH-60Ms to “minimise capability gaps”, according to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. (Commonwealth of Australia)
The United States will accelerate the delivery of Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks to Australia by reprioritising the contracting timelines for the US Army’s Black Hawk procurement.
Australia signed a AUD2.79 billion (USD1.83 billion) Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract in January to acquire 40 Black Hawks to replace its NHIndustries MRH90 ‘Taipan’ fleet.

Hypersonic technology development has continued in the background of the defence industrial base for decades.
The post Signal: X-Bow Systems nets funding for hypersonic development appeared first on Army Technology.

The Brazil Defense Market 2023-2028 report by GlobalData indicates a significant increase in defense expenditure.
The post Brazil’s defence budget soars to $29.9bn by 2028 through initiatives appeared first on Army Technology.

NASAMS systems supplied by Kongsberg and missiles from Raytheon are to be purchased by Norway to replenish Ukrainian donations.
The post Norway buy NASAMS and missiles from Kongsberg and Raytheon appeared first on Army Technology.

Positive benefit for South Korean, Filipino, Japanese, Taiwanese, and American national security interests and containment of Chinese adventurism.

The way ahead for a multi-year saga of a large, new construction South Korean Shipyard in Subic Bay, Philippines is beginning to solidify which will help all parties interested in deterring Chinese expansionism.
One key aspect of the South Korean economic miracle of the 1990’s to the present was their dramatic expansion of shipbuilding.

A mock-up of the Sky Sword II missile – locally known as the TC-2 land-based missile – is pictured at TADTE 2023. The missile structure consists of the active radar seeker, followed by the electronics section, proximity fuze, warhead, and rocket motor, ending in the exhaust.

The horrific Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel has laid bare a key assumption underpinning U.S. policy toward the Middle East: that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could be marginalized indefinitely from regional political dynamics. Both the Donald Trump and Joseph Biden administrations banked on the unifying threat posed by Iran to bring Israel and the Gulf Arab states together and have sought to institutionalize tacit cooperation into a new regional security architecture based on that realignment. That strategy, however, has now been called into question.

All militaries watch other militaries. They do so to learn how their allies and adversaries move, train, and operate. By understanding another military’s “pattern of life,” they learn about weaknesses and vulnerabilities that can be exploited later in conflict (or with allies, they learn about and incorporate sound military practices).  The Russo-Ukrainian war has confirmed what was already widely known about this age-old practice: Valuable surveillance is difficult to maintain over long periods of time. It demands both assets and money.

The destroyer the USS Mason in the Atlantic Ocean in 2021. (photo by Bill Mesta/U.S. Navy).
U.S. Central Command says two ballistic missiles were launched from Yemen toward a Navy destroyer hours after it stopped a seizure of a commercial vessel off the Gulf of Aden.
On Sunday, Nov. 26 CENTCOM picked up a distress call from the MV Central Park, a commercial tanker traveling through the Red Sea, which said the ship was under attack. The USS Mason, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer and other ships from the coalition Task Force 151, which focuses on countering pirates, responded.

Various Western media have highlighted the new features of China’s latest non-nuclear submarine, the Type-039C of the Yuan class, the new vessel presents a characteristic angled sail. This new technology is believed to be part of the latest developments that the Chinese navy has designed to introduce new anti-sonar stealth. Other countries are also trying to apply this general technique, however, China is the first to put it into practice.
China is building submarines at an impressive rate and has the ability to build them at levels unmatched by any other country.