Land Warfare

Army wraps up FLRAA PDR, incorporating special ops design changes

Army wraps up FLRAA PDR, incorporating special ops design changes
Army wraps up FLRAA PDR, incorporating special ops design changes

According to a SOCOM official, the Army included feedback from the command that led to design changes like hardware for a refueling probe and features that will enable special operators to make unique modifications.

Estonia ‘seriously’ discussing sending troops to ‘rear’ jobs in Ukraine: Official

Estonia ‘seriously’ discussing sending troops to ‘rear’ jobs in Ukraine: Official
Estonia ‘seriously’ discussing sending troops to ‘rear’ jobs in Ukraine: Official

The national security advisor to the Estonian president is the latest NATO nation official to weigh into the debate over the wisdom of foreign forces in Ukraine, while a senior British officer said it’s still “not a path that the [UK] Prime Minister wants to go down.”

Taking aim: Army leaders ponder mix of precision munitions vs conventional

Taking aim: Army leaders ponder mix of precision munitions vs conventional
Taking aim: Army leaders ponder mix of precision munitions vs conventional

Three four-star US Army generals this week weighed in with their opinions about finding the right balance between conventional and high-tech munitions – but the answers aren’t easy.

The sights of SOF Week 2024 [Photos]

The sights of SOF Week 2024 [Photos]
The sights of SOF Week 2024 [Photos]

A look at some of what this year’s SOF Week conference in Tampa had to offer.

German Defense Minister: Restart conscription, pursue 3 percent GDP on defense

German Defense Minister: Restart conscription, pursue 3 percent GDP on defense
German Defense Minister: Restart conscription, pursue 3 percent GDP on defense

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius encouraged allies, including the US, to “arrive” at military expenditure of 3 percent GDP – though declined to put forward a timeline for such change to occur.

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New capabilities make GA-ASI’s MQ-9A Reaper® more resilient against cyber threats & anti-aircraft weapons

New capabilities make GA-ASI’s MQ-9A Reaper® more resilient against cyber threats & anti-aircraft weapons
New capabilities make GA-ASI’s MQ-9A Reaper® more resilient against cyber threats & anti-aircraft weapons

These upgrades will play a central role in the way American and allied forces fight, and are destined to keep them at the vanguard for a long time.

Following Replicator win, AeroVironment sees strong demand for Switchblade, loitering munitions

Following Replicator win, AeroVironment sees strong demand for Switchblade, loitering munitions
Following Replicator win, AeroVironment sees strong demand for Switchblade, loitering munitions

“We already expanded production ahead of Replicator, and irrespective of Replicator, because we know where this is going,” AeroVironment CEO Wahid Nawabi told Breaking Defense.

Estonian volunteers fighting in Ukraine are helping prepare Tallinn’s rapid response force

Estonian volunteers fighting in Ukraine are helping prepare Tallinn’s rapid response force
Estonian volunteers fighting in Ukraine are helping prepare Tallinn’s rapid response force

The head of the Estonian Scouts, among the first who would be called to fend off an invasion, said the “biggest part that’s going to change” is how the unit fights with and against drones.

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How the Army plans to make enterprise-wide training a reality

How the Army plans to make enterprise-wide training a reality
How the Army plans to make enterprise-wide training a reality

In addition to training, the Army’s $3.5B program called Warfighter Training and Readiness Solutions will bring an enterprise approach to the sustainment and maintenance of training systems.

Eight ‘capability coalitions’ are rushing arms to Ukraine. Here’s who will donate what. (EXPLAINER)

Eight ‘capability coalitions’ are rushing arms to Ukraine. Here’s who will donate what. (EXPLAINER)
Eight ‘capability coalitions’ are rushing arms to Ukraine. Here’s who will donate what. (EXPLAINER)

NATO has established eight different capability coalitions designed to get critical systems or ammo into Ukrainian hands quickly. Here’s a deep dive into how they’re all faring.

Estonia had discussed sending non-front line troops to Ukraine: General

Estonia had discussed sending non-front line troops to Ukraine: General
Estonia had discussed sending non-front line troops to Ukraine: General

Though Estonia’s chief of defense told Breaking Defense the idea has fallen by the wayside, a key lawmaker in Tallinn said it’s time to consider a “coalition of the willing” to go into Ukraine.

Airbus US finalizes acquisition of Aerovel as it eyes low-cost drone market

Airbus US finalizes acquisition of Aerovel as it eyes low-cost drone market
Airbus US finalizes acquisition of Aerovel as it eyes low-cost drone market

Airbus would also likely respond to a recent request for information on drone capabilities that could replace the Navy’s MQ-8C Fire Scout uncrewed helicopters, said CEO of Airbus U.S. Space and Defense Rob Geckle.

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SOF needs multi-mission quadcopters for the contested battlespace

SOF needs multi-mission quadcopters for the contested battlespace
SOF needs multi-mission quadcopters for the contested battlespace

With China the primary source of quadcopters, the U.S. can counter with a superior domestic supply chain.

Can tech reduce civilian deaths in conflict? Mark Milley isn’t so sure.

Can tech reduce civilian deaths in conflict? Mark Milley isn’t so sure.
Can tech reduce civilian deaths in conflict? Mark Milley isn’t so sure.

“How are we going to reduce civilian deaths to the smallest amount humanly possible?” asked Palantir’s Alex Karp this week. “That is a tech problem.”