https://www.commondef.com Thu, 24 Sep 2026 17:04:55+0000 en-us hourly 1 https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/china-holds-sensitive-f-35-stealth-parts-after-baffling-hong-kong-diversion/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103562 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Julian Dorsett China has not returned sensitive F-35 components diverted to Hong Kong during shipment from Australia, prompting recovery efforts, congressional scrutiny and an investigation into how the stealth aircraft parts ended up in Chinese government possession. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/sailors-give-uss-georgia-a-final-heartfelt-farewell-before-retirement/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103514 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Julian Dorsett After more than 40 years of service, USS Georgia is heading toward decommissioning as sailors remember the demanding missions, enduring friendships and hard earned lessons that defined life aboard the Ohio-class guided-missile submarine. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/navy-destroyers-face-punishing-middle-east-test-as-demands-surge/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103517 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Bethany Loveland Navy destroyers are carrying heavy Middle East demands while prolonged overhauls, labor overruns, aging ships, spare parts shortages and deferred maintenance continue squeezing the surface fleet’s ability to stay on schedule. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/marines-set-for-1-66-daily-boost-in-danger-pay/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103520 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Julian Dorsett Starting Oct. 1, eligible Marines will receive $9.16 per day in imminent danger pay, while hostile fire pay doubles to $450 monthly. The Marine Corps is the first service to move unilaterally on the higher rates. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/last-operational-hh-60g-pave-hawk-ends-storied-service-with-final-flight/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103501 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Common Defense Staff The last operational HH-60G Pave Hawk has retired after decades of combat rescue and disaster response missions, closing a storied chapter as the Air Force transitions to the advanced HH-60W Jolly Green II. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/cia-warns-europe-of-suspected-russian-drone-strikes-from-mediterranean-ships/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103524 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Frank Guy A CIA assessment reportedly warned that Gerbera drones concealed aboard commercial vessels could be launched from Mediterranean waters toward Spain, France or Italy, as European countries confront growing concerns about suspected Russian drone and sabotage activity. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/greenland-welcomes-u-s-military-pact-but-trust-in-washington-remains-on-thin-ice/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103489 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Julian Dorsett A new military pact could restore a broader U.S. presence in Greenland and reopen former bases, but residents and officials say Washington must protect traditional livelihoods and rebuild trust damaged during the annexation dispute. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/army-awards-palantir-48-1m-to-overhaul-ammunition-management/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103498 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Julian Dorsett The Army selected Palantir for a $48.1 million ammunition software overhaul that will consolidate nine legacy platforms, improve forecasting and track munitions across planning, procurement, storage, distribution, expenditure and final disposition. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/space-isr-satellite-launches-poised-to-surge-more-than-fourfold-in-next-decade/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103541 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Julian Dorsett Novaspace forecasts defense ISR satellite launches will exceed four times the previous decade’s total, while government space defense budgets and spending on orbital tracking systems climb alongside a rapidly expanding population of operational spacecraft. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/pentagon-and-lockheed-set-bold-framework-to-boost-aim-260-production/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103538 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Frank Guy The framework signals future AIM-260 demand while Lockheed invests ahead of orders, positioning production lines for a possible congressionally authorized multiyear purchase of the classified missile for U.S. and international operators. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/europes-drive-to-cut-u-s-reliance-reshapes-the-defense-space-market/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103544 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer European governments are pursuing sovereign satellites, local manufacturing and dependable launch access after U.S. restrictions exposed strategic dependencies. Companies on both sides of the Atlantic are now racing to meet Europe’s demand for greater control over military space capabilities. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/navy-keeps-electromagnetic-carrier-push-alive-despite-trumps-steam-order/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103492 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Frank Guy Fresh Navy contracts and vendor outreach continue supporting EMALS even after President Donald Trump ordered a steam alternative for USS Doris Miller, highlighting a sharp split over future carrier launch systems. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/latvia-reverses-course-picks-czech-morana-howitzers-over-swedish-archer/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103533 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Latvia has reversed its planned move toward Sweden’s Archer system, approving Czech Morana howitzers after officials cited better pricing, delivery terms, operational capabilities, and a larger envisioned role for the country’s defense industry. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/air-force-and-civilian-staff-clash-over-china-aerospace-institutes-fate/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103505 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Frank Guy The Air Force says military personnel will continue CASI’s mission after all 10 civilian positions are eliminated, but the institute’s director says civilians conducted all research and their removal will effectively end the China aerospace center. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/army-names-19th-u-s-service-member-to-die-amid-iran-war/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103495 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Bethany Loveland Capt. Bianca C. Wilkerson died after a medical incident while deployed to Doha, becoming the 19th U.S. service member in the public casualty tally since the Iran war began, with an autopsy pending and the incident still under investigation. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/instructor-admits-gross-negligence-in-deadly-letterkenny-army-depot-shooting/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103508 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Common Defense Staff Sean Stark admitted conducting firearms training with gross negligence before fatally shooting PFC Krystofer Lopez at Letterkenny Army Depot. The civilian instructor now faces up to eight years in federal prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/germany-pushes-to-build-american-pac-3-interceptors-and-ease-global-shortage/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103511 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Common Defense Staff Germany is offering to manufacture PAC-3 MSE interceptors and other scarce American weapons, but U.S. approval, Lockheed Martin’s cooperation, protected performance data, and unresolved production details remain major hurdles. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/cia-director-meets-zelensky-during-ireland-airport-stop/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103523 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Bethany Loveland CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a brief meeting at Shannon Airport while traveling to the United States, following Ratcliffe’s recent discussions with Egyptian and Russian officials. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/italian-navy-sets-f-35b-against-ferrari-in-blistering-acceleration-duel/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103529 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Frank Guy The Italian Navy will pit an F-35B against Fabio Barone’s Ferrari SF90 in two acceleration races, including a 500 meter runway sprint and a longer contest that will see the fighter finish in flight. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/germany-sends-eurofighters-to-guard-latvia-election-amid-drone-alarm/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103532 2026-09-24T22:38:20+00:00 Common Defense Staff Germany will station four Eurofighter Typhoons at Latvia’s Lielvārde air base during the Oct. 3 election, answering Riga’s request for NATO air support amid repeated drone incursions and heightened concern along the alliance’s eastern flank.