ArmexNation

Second B-21 Raider stealth bomber takes flight from Plant 42, marking a major milestone in expanding America’s advanced bomber test program.   The B-21 Raider stands as a new chapter in the history of American strategic aviation, developed with purpose, shaped by experience, and designed for future conflict environments that demand stealth, resilience, and adaptability. This aircraft was never conceived as a mere successor to earlier bombers—it is an entirely new approach to long-range strike, fusing modern technologies with operational lessons learned over decades. It was built to be relevant from the moment it enters service and to remain effective for generations, regardless of how rapidly threats evolve. Its design is the result of years of focused engineering under the leadership of the United States Air Force and its prime contractor, Northrop Grumman. The aircraft is streamlined for stealth from every angle, avoiding legacy design limitations by integrating low-observable t...

Polish F-16 jets scramble to intercept multiple Russian drones breaching NATO airspace during the September 10, 2025 incursion, marking a new phase in Eastern European security tensions  The drone incursion into Polish airspace on the night of September 10, 2025, represents a turning point in the broader standoff between Russia and the NATO alliance. Though the use of unmanned aerial systems has been a constant feature of the conflict in Ukraine since 2022, the direct and deliberate penetration of NATO territory by Russian drones, in such a coordinated and sustained manner, has crossed a threshold that many within the alliance had warned about but hoped would not be reached. From the moment the first drones crossed into Polish airspace, the event was treated not merely as an isolated tactical issue but as a strategic-level incident. These drones, based on initial assessments, were not civilian in nature, nor were they malfunctioning weather or surveillance platforms. Their delibera...

The next-generation modular uncrewed air system (UAS) from Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems, designed for high-intensity conflict, electronic warfare, and multi-domain operations — a key step toward distributed, scalable airpower. The ongoing partnership between Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems is one of the most consequential developments in the evolution of modern air warfare. It reflects not only a strategic alignment between two of the world’s most experienced defense contractors but also a broader shift in military thinking that prioritizes scalable, flexible, and rapidly deployable systems over legacy platforms built on extended procurement timelines and high per-unit costs. At its core, this partnership is about addressing real-world operational gaps and preparing for high-intensity, contested conflicts where speed, mass, and adaptability may determine the outcome more than traditional force structure or technological supremacy alone. The uncrewed air system (UAS) being co-develop...

  The MQ-28 Ghost Bat, an advanced uncrewed combat aircraft developed by Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force, exemplifies the next generation of airpower—autonomous, modular, and designed for high-risk missions without endangering pilots. The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is a prominent example of how airpower is evolving in the 21st century. Designed to operate in concert with manned platforms, this uncrewed combat air vehicle offers a pathway to increase the combat mass, survivability, and flexibility of air forces without the limitations that come with piloted aircraft. Developed jointly by Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force, the Ghost Bat serves as a technological bridge between current airpower structures and the emerging operational concepts of manned-unmanned teaming, autonomy, and distributed combat systems. By design, it reflects a deep understanding of both modern air warfare demands and the challenges of operating in contested, complex, and dynamic airspace environments. ...

An F-35 Lightning II prepares for deployment at a U.S. airbase. The recent stationing of these advanced jets in Puerto Rico marks a significant escalation in America’s military posture in the Caribbean amid rising tensions with Venezuela The deployment of ten F-35 fighter jets by the United States to Puerto Rico represents a significant shift in the military balance and strategic posture in the Caribbean region, signaling not only a heightened concern with transnational criminal threats but also an underlying readiness for possible military friction involving Venezuela. Although the official reasoning behind the move remains centered on counter-narcotics operations, the scale, type, and timing of this action imply a layered strategy that intertwines drug interdiction with geopolitical signaling, deterrence, and preemptive positioning in a region already marked by longstanding political tensions and economic instability. The F-35 Lightning II is not a standard asset for counter-narcotic...

A U.S. Army Infantry Squad Vehicle equipped with the 20kW-class LOCUST laser weapon system—providing frontline units with mobile, silent, and precise counter-drone capabilities in contested environments.  The development and fielding of the 20kW-class LOCUST laser weapon system by AeroVironment for the United States Army marks a decisive shift in how modern military forces confront emerging aerial threats. This system is not a prototype in a lab or a theoretical capability under discussion—it is a fieldable, deployable, and operationally relevant directed-energy weapon built to meet the tactical needs of light and mobile infantry forces operating in highly contested and fast-evolving combat zones. The LOCUST system, short for Laser Operation Compact Utility System, represents a compact, high-energy laser integrated onto the General Motors Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), a lightweight, agile platform designed to transport a nine-soldier infantry squad across difficult terrain....

A concept rendering of the U.S. Navy’s next-generation carrier-based uncrewed combat aircraft, designed for high-threat missions and future warfare dominance  The U.S. Navy's ongoing push to integrate uncrewed combat aircraft into its carrier-based air wings marks one of the most significant transformations in naval aviation in decades. This effort is driven by both technological advancements and strategic necessity, particularly in the context of increasing competition with other major powers and the need to maintain superiority across vast maritime regions. The development of autonomous, carrier-capable combat aircraft represents a key part of a broader strategy aimed at modernizing the U.S. Navy’s force structure to ensure relevance and dominance in future warfare. The Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program within the Navy is specifically tailored for carrier operations, meaning these aircraft must meet stringent requirements for launch, recovery, storage, and integration a...

An F-15E Strike Eagle equipped with APKWS II rocket pods prepares for takeoff. This loadout reflects the U.S. Air Force’s evolving strategy to counter drone and missile threats with scalable, cost-effective precision weapons.  The development and fielding of the AGR-20F air-to-air variant of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) by the United States Air Force represents a deliberate and pragmatic advancement in tactical airpower designed to address the evolving nature of modern aerial threats. Rather than relying solely on high-cost, high-performance missile systems, this integration reflects a strategic pivot toward capacity, persistence, and resource efficiency—qualities increasingly critical in a battlespace shaped by drone proliferation, cruise missile threats, and saturation tactics employed by both state and non-state actors. The APKWS II system is fundamentally a conversion kit that transforms standard 70mm Hydra rockets into precision-guided munitions usin...

  China’s J-35 stealth fighter: Visually modern, but still unproven in combat and global operations The J-35 represents China’s attempt to enter the fifth-generation stealth fighter arena, a space currently dominated by the United States. While it marks a step forward in China's domestic aircraft development, the program remains fundamentally unproven in practice, with no confirmed combat usage, no verified export sales, and limited integration into broader military alliances or operations. The development of the J-35 stems from the earlier FC-31 prototype, which was initially showcased as a private venture before it was eventually absorbed into the state-controlled military aviation sector. Over the years, the aircraft has been refined, redesigned, and repainted to resemble modern low-observable fighters. However, despite the visual similarities, performance in real-world scenarios is a different matter. As of now, the J-35 has entered what Chinese sources claim is serial producti...

The F-35 Block 4 modernization, key to enhancing U.S. airpower, is delayed until 2031 due to technical and integration challenges. Some upgrades are deferred, but the U.S. remains committed to the program, focusing on gradual, capability-driven improvements to maintain long-term air superiority.  The F-35 program remains a cornerstone of U.S. military airpower strategy, designed to maintain superiority in both contested and uncontested environments for decades to come. The Block 4 modernization effort, a critical phase in the F-35’s evolution, aims to significantly enhance the aircraft’s combat capabilities through software updates, sensor improvements, weapons integration, and electronic warfare upgrades. However, this phase has faced substantial delays and adjustments in scope due to developmental, technical, and logistical challenges. Originally, Block 4 was intended to be completed around 2026. That timeline has slipped considerably. As of the most recent internal assessments, ...

Lockheed Martin’s PAC-3 MSE interceptor: The cornerstone of America’s advanced missile defense, now ramping up production under a $9.8 billion U.S. Army contract to secure the nation and its allies  The recently finalized $9.8 billion contract between the U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin for 1,970 PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors represents a strategic milestone in the evolution of American missile defense capabilities. This is not merely a large defense contract; it is a deliberate, calculated response to the evolving nature of modern warfare, the increasing proliferation of missile threats worldwide, and the imperative to maintain a technological and operational advantage in contested environments. The PAC-3 MSE is the most advanced version of the Patriot missile interceptor. It is specifically engineered for superior maneuverability, greater range, and enhanced kinetic energy compared to earlier versions. The missile is equipped with hit-to-kill technology, mean...