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Valkyrie demonstrates kill chain closure at Emerald Flag

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For the first time in a large-force exercise, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) successfully demonstrated cooperative kill chain closure between crewed and uncrewed strike platforms, featuring Kratos’ XQ-58A Valkyrie. The attritable, runway-independent UAV, designed to support manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operations, was a key participant in Emerald Flag 2024. The Valkyrie was developed under the Marine Corps’ Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer – Portfolio (PAACK-P) program.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Blake Wiles

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Australian Army to choose between HIMARS or StrikeMaster

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In a move reflecting the evolving strategic environment, the Australian Army is embarking on a crucial procurement process to strengthen its long-range strike capabilities, ABC news reports. Project LAND 8113 phase two will see the army evaluate two prominent contenders: the indigenously developed StrikeMaster, offering a cost-effective and sovereign solution, and the American HIMARS, boasting proven combat effectiveness but carrying a higher price tag and reliance on U.S. technology. This decision will shape the future of the Australian Army’s long-range firepower and influence the nation’s broader defence industry.


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U.S. Army doubles down on Chinook Block II orders

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The U.S. Army is pressing ahead with modernising its fleet of CH-47F Chinook helicopters, with recent contract awards to Boeing for the production of new Block II Chinooks. This latest order underscores the Army’s commitment to upgrading its heavy-lift capabilities for future multi-domain operations.

A Double-rotor CH-47 Chinook from B Co “Big Windy,” 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion spins up for an evening training flight under a double rainbow just after the storm clears on Oct. 6 at Katterbach Army Airfield. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Robert Fellingham)

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Russian submarine spotted in Philippine waters prompts calls for enhanced anti-submarine capabilities

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On Nov. 28, a shadow emerged from the depths of the South China Sea, not far from the shores of the Philippines. It was the Russian Kilo-class submarine RS Ufa, an underwater vessel nicknamed the “Black Hole” by the US Navy for its stealth capabilities, surfacing within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around 80 nautical miles west of Cape Calavite in Occidental Mindoro. The Philippine Navy, alerted to the submarine’s presence by their own intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, quickly scrambled the warship BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and four aircraft to monitor the situation.


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JMSDF Selects SeaGuardian for Maritime Surveillance

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The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has taken a decisive step into the future of maritime defence, selecting General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.’s (GA-ASI) SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems for its Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program. The selection, announced in December 2024, follows over 1.5 years of rigorous testing and evaluation by the JMSDF. The service began its trial operation project with the SeaGuardian in April 2023, putting the system through its paces to assess its suitability for Japan’s challenging maritime environment. This move mirrors a similar decision by the Japan Coast Guard (JCG). On Aug. 15, the JCG signed a contract for the purchase of two SeaGuardian RPAs from GA-ASI, with delivery expected in 2025. This follows the JCG’s ongoing Company-Owned, Contractor-Operated agreement with GA-ASI, which began in April 2022 and has seen SeaGuardians actively supporting a range of JCG missions.


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