What's New

The U.S. VIRGINIA-class submarine MINNESOTA (SSN 783) has made a port call to the Western Australian city of Perth, marking one of the first of many such planned visits as part of the Australia, U.K., U.S. (AUKUS) submarine deal. The MINNESOTA will conduct at-sea operations as part of the Submarine Command Course program designed to transfer nuclear submarine command skills to Australian officers. Visits such as these are a key step in the planned operation of three VIRGINIA-class nuclear submarines by Australia, with deliveries set to begin in 2032. These nuclear attack submarines displace nearly 8,000 tons submerged and rely on a 280,000-hp GE S9G pressurized water reactor and two sets of 40,000-hp geared turbines to reach underwater speeds of up to 35 knots. Originally equipped with 12 individual vertical launch system (VLS) tubes, later units of the class have been fitted with two large-diameter Virginia Payload Tubes (VPTs) each capable of firing six Tomahawk cruise missiles. Currently under construction Batch V submarines will be equipped with four additional VPTs amidships, adding a further 28 missiles to their payload. The VIRGINIA class is considered by many to be the most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine in the world.

The MQ-9B SeaGuardian, an advanced variant of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.'s (GA-ASI) Predator B, exemplifies cutting-edge unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology. Launched in January 2017, the MQ-9B is fully compliant with NATO's UAV system airworthiness requirements (STANAG 4671) and the U.K. DEFSTAN 00-970, ensuring its integration into international airspace. The SeaGuardian variant is optimized for maritime operations, featuring a multimode maritime surface search radar with inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging, an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver, and high-definition optical and infrared cameras.

In a groundbreaking demonstration from January 20-30, 2025, GA-ASI showcased the SeaGuardian's first-ever Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability. During this test, a company-operated MQ-9B SeaGuardian successfully deployed and tested anti-submarine sensors using multiple pre-production Sonobuoy Dispensing System (SDS) pods. The aircraft effectively detected, tracked, and analyzed underwater targets while collecting critical acoustic intelligence, marking a significant advancement in unmanned ASW operations.

The Pentagon has announced the deployment of a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) and a General Support Aviation Battalion to the U.S.-Mexico border, in line with President Donald J. Trump's directive to enhance border security.

The Stryker Brigade Combat Team is a versatile, medium-weight force designed for rapid deployment and a wide range of missions. Named in honor of Medal of Honor recipients Pfc. Stuart Stryker and Spc. Robert Stryker, the Stryker family of vehicles was initially developed as interim armored vehicles for the U.S. Army's transformation efforts. A key feature of all 10 Stryker vehicles is their capability to deploy aboard C-130 , C-17 or C-5 aircraft (carrying one, three and four Strykers, respectively). This allows the U.S. Army to deploy an SBCT anywhere in the world within 96 hours and potentially a division consisting of three SBCTs anywhere in the world within about 15 to 20 days.