Author: Defenceline Webdesk

LOCUST X3 is the third generation of AeroVironment’s high-energy laser weapon system. Credit: © AeroVironment, Inc. AeroVironment has released LOCUST X3, the third-generation version of its high-energy laser weapon system, designed to address a range of uncrewed aerial and surface threats. The third-generation platform incorporates lessons from previously fielded systems and allows rapid, cost-effective targeting of Group 1-3 uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and uncrewed surface vehicles (USV). The LOCUST X3, recently highlighted on CBS News’ 60 Minutes, delivers engagements at a price point below $5 per shot and supports continuous operation without the “reload limitations” required by traditional defence systems.…

The escalating tensions between the United States and Iran have placed the international community on edge, raising significant concerns regarding regional stability and the potential for a full-scale military confrontation.In a recent discussion on NDTV, Professor Robert Pape articulated that the current geopolitical climate necessitates the involvement of neutral third parties to navigate the complex web of hostilities.He posits that while the rhetoric between Washington and Tehran remains fiery, diplomatic channels are being maintained through the quiet but persistent efforts of strategic middle powers.Professor Robert A. Pape is a prominent University of Chicago political scientist and national security expert known…

CRS Reportedly, THAAD is capable of engaging targets at ranges of 150-200 kilometers (km). THAAD covers the BMD middle tier and defends a larger area than the Patriot Air and Missile Defense… Source link

WASHINGTON — Republicans will push a second reconciliation bill this year with the intent of boosting funds for defense and federal law enforcement, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham announced today. “The number one priority of the federal government has always been keeping our homeland safe and keeping our enemies at bay over there so they can’t hit us here,” said Graham, R-SC, in a statement. “The purpose of the second reconciliation bill is to make sure there is adequate funding to secure our homeland and to support our men and women in the military who are fighting so bravely. More…

With all the talk of tiltrotors, you’d be forgiven for believing the era of conventional rotorcraft is winding down. But last year, the big three American rotorcraft manufacturers—Bell, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky—delivered a combined 199 military rotorcraft: 13 percent more than in 2024. By the NumbersSikorsky delivered the most in 2025, anchored by the H-60 line: a total of 101 Black Hawks and Seahawks. Boeing recorded the most growth, increasing annual deliveries by about 22 percent. Bell experienced the only decline among the three companies, delivering ten fewer aircraft in 2025 as AH-1Z exports taper and MV-22 Osprey production for the U.S. Navy and…

The UK MoD building. Credit: UK MoD/Crown copyright The UK will have to think about allocating its limited funds to support Gulf partners in the short term British defence industry experts urged the Government to “ring fence” certain sovereign defence programmes Government defence inertia has been ongoing despite the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer promising to spend more on defence With no clear cost breakdown and immediate fiscal commitments around the world, namely air defence against Iranian strikes across the Middle East, the UK Government risk sidelining new defence programmes. British defence industry experts voiced their concerns in a parliamentary…

India has initiated a strategic overhaul of its defence attaché network, marking a significant shift in its military diplomacy. This transition moves away from a traditional focus on procurement-heavy relationships toward a proactive export-oriented model, reported Hindustan Times.By relocating personnel from nations that have historically been its primary suppliers, the government aims to establish a stronger foothold in markets with high potential for purchasing Indian-made hardware.This targeted reshuffle, which was carried out in phases, aligns with New Delhi’s ambitious goal to double its defence exports to ₹50,000 crore by the 2029-30 financial year. Current figures show promising momentum, with exports…

RCD Iranian cyber actors have been targeting the Defense Industrial Base for years, and with Operation Epic Fury underway, the question now isn’t whether they’re coming. Source link

GLOBAL FORCE 2026 — Virginia-based defense firm AeroVironment (AV) revealed the LOCUST X3 counter-small unmanned aerial systems (C-sUAS) platform today, designed to take out small- to medium-sized drones with a laser. The system uses a 20-30 kw laser along with “AI-enabled detection, tracking and engagement automation” run by an AV software platform, according to a company press release. It can be used mounted on vehicles or from fixed positions, AV says. Aaron Westman, senior director of business development at AV, told Breaking Defense at the AUSA Global Force in Alabama that the latest incarnation of LOCUST was informed by real-world demands.…

The United States Navy has no dedicated minesweepers in the Persian Gulf. Iran has an estimated 2,000 to 6,000 naval mines. Three weeks into the war with Iran, this mismatch has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping – and revealed a capability gap that extends well beyond the US Navy. The US retired its last four Avenger-class mine countermeasures (MCM) ships from Bahrain in September 2025, as part of a planned transition to unmanned MCM systems deployed aboard Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The four Avengers – USS Devastator, USS Dextrous, USS Gladiator, and USS Sentry – arrived…