The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has successfully intercepted an incoming ballistic missile threat during a recent test conducted from Guam, marking a significant development in missile defense capabilities for the region. This test, described as the “first ballistic missile defense event executed from Guam,” aims to enhance protection of the strategically vital island against evolving threats.

As part of ongoing efforts by the Pentagon to establish a comprehensive air and missile defense architecture in Guam, the test involved the use of the Aegis Guam System equipped with an AN/TPY-6 radar and a Vertical Launching System. During the test, the system launched a Standard Missile-3 Block IIA interceptor that successfully destroyed a Medium Range Ballistic Missile target, which was air-launched and flying off the coast of Andersen Air Force Base.

The AN/TPY-6 radar, introduced to Guam’s defense capabilities earlier this year, was instrumental in tracking the target from shortly after launch until the point of interception. This radar technology incorporates advancements from the MDA’s Long-Range Discrimination Radar located in Alaska, which is scheduled for its own operational testing next year.

Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, the director of the MDA, emphasized the collaborative effort among various Department of Defense organizations in achieving this milestone. “This is a tremendous group effort and provides a glimpse of how organizations within the Department of Defense have come together to defend our homeland Guam now and in the future,” Collins stated. He highlighted the significance of building and validating integrated air and missile defense capabilities for the island.

The data collected from this successful test will contribute to ongoing concept development and requirements validation for the future Guam Defense System (GDS). The GDS construction will utilize multiple components from various military services, with the U.S. Army designated in 2023 to lead the acquisition and implementation for the defense architecture. The Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office is overseeing the establishment of a joint team dedicated to the project.

The MDA’s focus will include the development of systems that integrate into the GDS architecture, alongside creating a combined command center on Guam to accommodate all major command and control systems related to missile defense. This integrated structure will consist of the Army’s Integrated Battle Command System, the Navy’s Aegis weapon system, the Air Force’s command and control capabilities, and the MDA’s Command Control Battle Management and Communications system, known as C2BMC.

In addition to the existing systems, the GDS relies on various capabilities currently in development, mainly within the Army, while the Navy will continue to provide needed technology from its Aegis defense systems. The Army’s arsenal will also include the fielded Patriot system, the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), Mid-Range Capability missile launchers, and advanced radar features to enhance missile detection and interception abilities.

While this test signifies considerable progress in Guam’s missile defense readiness, Collins noted that visible changes on the island’s landscape are not expected in the immediate future. “Our first construction money to start building on the island is expected by 2025, so by the end of that year, we should begin military constructions at multiple sites,” he indicated, suggesting that ongoing development and upgrades will take place gradually over the coming years.

The MDA’s successful test reflects the United States’ commitment to ensuring a robust missile defense system in Guam, a region of critical importance for maintaining military presence, deterring adversaries, and upholding security in the Indo-Pacific area.

In a noteworthy initiative aimed at capturing the U.S. defense market, Anduril Industries recently demonstrated the capabilities of its Dive Extra-Large Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (XL-AUV) off the coast of California. This state-of-the-art autonomous submarine achieved a remarkable milestone by completing a 100-hour single voyage, claimed to be the longest recorded for a vehicle of its class.

However, Anduril is not resting on its laurels. The company is gearing up for what promises to be an even more ambitious demonstration with the Dive-XL. In the coming weeks, the submarine will undertake a mission designed to cover 1,000 nautical miles (1,852 kilometers) in a single continuous journey. Shane Arnott, Anduril’s senior vice president for programs and engineering, highlighted the significance of this upcoming endeavor, stating, “That’ll be the longest that we believe anyone’s really done.”

While the Dive-XL has already been integrated into operations for the Royal Australian Navy, Anduril is keen to position the craft as a complementary asset for the U.S. Navy’s existing fleet of crewed and uncrewed vessels. The company envisions the Dive-XL as a valuable addition to enhancing naval capabilities.

The Dive-XL is touted as a modular platform, capable of being outfitted with different payloads tailored for various missions, including subsea intelligence gathering, long-range surveillance, and commercial seabed mapping. Its advanced design allows it to remain submerged for extended periods, operating undetected over long distances. Anduril emphasizes that this level of autonomy is crucial for maintaining strategic advantage in an increasingly challenging maritime environment characterized by rising threats and a shrinking number of manned fleets.

Furthermore, the platform’s open systems architecture is designed to facilitate ongoing upgrades as technological advancements arise. This flexibility not only reduces operational costs but also enhances the longevity of the Dive-XL, reinforcing its status as a “future-proof solution” in the defense sector. As Anduril Industries prepares to further its ambitions in the U.S. market, the Dive-XL stands at the forefront of a new era in naval warfare capabilities.

In a significant development for the U.S. Navy, General Dynamics NASSCO has officially laid the keel for the USNS Thurgood Marshall (T-AO 211), the seventh ship in the John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler line. The ceremony took place in San Diego, California, and involved the integration of the vessel’s modular components at the ground level. During this event, the initials of the system sponsor were etched into the keel plate, marking a pivotal moment in the ship’s construction.

The USNS Thurgood Marshall is designed to operate under the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, providing crucial support by distributing fuel, dry cargo, and aviation capabilities to in-service ships while they are at sea. The vessel carries the name of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American justice to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. His legacy is closely tied to civil rights, as he championed issues such as affirmative action, abortion rights, and opposition to the death penalty. Before his tenure on the Supreme Court, Marshall was known for his work as a civil rights lawyer, addressing racial disparities in housing, education, elections, and other critical areas.

The keel-laying ceremony featured the participation of Marshall’s granddaughters, Cecilla Marshall and Melonie Tibbs, along with his granddaughter-in-law, Alissa Kamens Marshall, who served as the oiler’s sponsors. “USNS Thurgood Marshall honors the legacy of an extraordinary civil and human rights leader who is an example of perseverance to all,” said John Lighthammer, the U.S. Navy Auxiliary and Special Mission Ships Program Manager. He expressed optimism about the ship’s construction, stating that the keel laying represents just the beginning of many significant milestones ahead.

The John Lewis-class replenishment oilers are designed with a length of 746 feet (227 meters) and a beam of 107 feet (33 meters). The vessels are capable of accommodating over 120 personnel and can carry a maritime helicopter. For defense, they are outfitted with .50-caliber machine guns, a close-in weapon system, and surface-to-air missiles. Powered by twin Fairbanks-Morse diesel engines, the ships can reach a top speed of 20 knots (approximately 23 miles per hour or 37 kilometers per hour) and have an impressive operational range of over 6,000 nautical miles (6,905 miles or 11,112 kilometers).

Currently, NASSCO is constructing three ships of the John Lewis-class, including the USNS Thurgood Marshall, at its San Diego facility. Earlier in June, the keel was laid for the sixth ship in the class, the USNS Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210), further highlighting the ongoing commitment to enhance the capabilities of the U.S. Navy’s fleet replenishment operations.

Ukraine’s government cybersecurity agency has identified ongoing malicious activities executed by a criminal group aimed at undermining its armed forces and defense enterprises. In a recent update published by the Computer Emergency Response Team of Ukraine (CERT-UA), details emerged about a campaign that involves the dissemination of phishing emails disguised as legitimate invitations to a military conference set to occur in Kyiv in early December.

The phishing operations have been attributed to a group referred to as UAC-0185 or UNC4221, which has reportedly been active since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. CERT-UA’s report indicates that this method allows the installation of a malicious program termed a “remote agent,” which establishes a clandestine connection between the hacker and the compromised device. This software is designed to erase certain traces of its download process after it has been executed.

According to a statement from the Ukrainian Service for Special Communications and Information Protection, the emails included a hyperlink stating, “The attachment contains important information for your participation.” The agency warned that clicking the link and subsequently opening the attached documents could lead to a computer infection, potentially compromising sensitive information.

This recent wave of phishing attacks aligns with UAC-0185’s established pattern of targeting messaging applications and military systems for credential theft. The group has previously been implicated in unauthorized remote access incidents involving military enterprises and users of defense forces, as highlighted in earlier investigations conducted by CERT-UA.

In a proactive response to escalating cyber threats, Kyiv plans to reinforce its cyber defense mechanisms. In October, the government announced its intention to form a dedicated branch within the armed forces that will focus on cybersecurity, a move prompted by the surge of digital assaults following Russia’s invasion. This initiative is bolstered by military aid from allies such as Denmark, which has contributed funding specifically aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s cyber defense capabilities and enabling the repair of critical infrastructure impacted by ongoing hostilities.

In a related development, Ukraine initiated a competency program in late 2023, targeting the skill enhancement of troops to better prepare them against cyber disruptions. These strategic responses illustrate Ukraine’s commitment to securing its digital domains amid persistent threats from hostile cyber actors.

The situation remains dynamic as CERT-UA continues to monitor and respond to these security challenges, underscoring the ongoing importance of vigilance and resilience in the face of cyber warfare.

Air Industries Group has secured an $11 million contract to provide landing gear assemblies for the US Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft, a critical component for this naval platform. The landing gear assemblies, essential for the aircraft’s takeoff, landing, and taxiing operations, will be manufactured starting in the second half of 2025, with the expected arrival of necessary equipment by 2026.

Lou Melluzzo, CEO of Air Industries Group, emphasized the importance of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, stating it is a fundamental asset for the US Navy, tasked with managing the airspace around Carrier Battle Groups by detecting threats and organizing aircraft movements. The CEO mentioned that the contract’s value increased during negotiations, highlighting the aircraft’s significance not only to the Navy but also to a growing list of international military customers.

Air Industries Group, located in New York, indicated that this contract reinforces its long-standing partnership with the Navy, marking the company’s role as a vital supplier for the E-2 aircraft family. Melluzzo expressed pride in continuing to support the E-2 program, which meets both domestic and international defense requirements.

This new contract stems from a series of agreements Air Industries has entered into related to the E-2 family of aircraft. In May, the company received a $2.4 million order to provide spare landing gear assemblies for the US Navy’s E-2C Hawkeye aircraft. Subsequently, in September 2023, they signed a contract for welding equipment and other related tools for the military’s E-2Ds, along with a $2 million agreement for landing support systems in July.

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye represents a significant investment in the US Navy’s defense capabilities, and Air Industries’ continued involvement underscores the company’s commitment to delivering reliable and essential equipment for military operations.