Defense Intelligence
for Decision Makers

USS Idaho (SSN 799) was commissioned Saturday at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, becoming the 26th Virginia-class fast-attack submarine and eighth Block IV configuration vessel to enter service. The submarine is the fifth Navy ship named for Idaho, succeeding battleship USS Idaho (BB-42), which earned seven battle stars during World War II including action at Iwo Jima and Okinawa....

The U.S....

Ukraine's Defense Ministry will contract 25,000 unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in the first half of 2026, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced April 18, more than doubling the 2025 total as Kyiv pursues full automation of frontline logistics. "Our goal — 100% of frontline logistics should be performed by robotic systems," Fedorov stated after meeting domestic UGV manufacturers....

The U.S....

The Space Force announced Friday that twelve companies have been selected to compete for development of space-based interceptors for the Golden Dome missile defense architecture. Other Transaction Authority agreements totaling 3....

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Friday that the Navy has been authorized to destroy any Iranian speedboats suspected of deploying mines in the Strait of Hormuz or disrupting maritime passage. The directive permits US forces to shoot and kill vessels engaged in suspected mine-laying operations during the 55-day ceasefire....