https://www.commondef.com Thu, 24 Sep 2026 16:08:13+0000 en-us hourly 1 https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/marines-set-for-1-66-daily-boost-in-danger-pay/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103520 2026-09-24T16:10:57+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/cia-warns-europe-of-suspected-russian-drone-strikes-from-mediterranean-ships/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103524 2026-09-24T16:10:57+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/space-isr-satellite-launches-poised-to-surge-more-than-fourfold-in-next-decade/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103541 2026-09-24T16:10:57+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 2026-09-24T16:10:57+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 2026-09-24T16:10:57+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/latvia-reverses-course-picks-czech-morana-howitzers-over-swedish-archer/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103533 2026-09-24T16:10:57+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/cia-director-meets-zelensky-during-ireland-airport-stop/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103523 2026-09-24T16:10:57+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 2026-09-24T16:10:57+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 2026-09-24T16:10:57+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. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/zelenskyy-reveals-ukraine-sent-two-captured-north-korean-soldiers-to-south-korea/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103550 2026-09-24T16:10:57+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Zelenskyy says Ukraine moved two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, but Seoul is withholding confirmation over privacy and security concerns as officials stress the prisoners’ wishes and humanitarian principles. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/active-duty-airman-pronounced-dead-at-italy-residence-after-another-aviano-loss/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103567 2026-09-24T16:10:57+00:00 Bethany Loveland An active duty member of Aviano’s 31st Fighter Wing was pronounced dead at an off base residence Tuesday, with the cause under investigation and the airman’s identity withheld while officials notify next of kin. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/military-training-jet-plunges-into-pacific-off-california-coast/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103553 2026-09-24T16:10:57+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer A Navy crew rescued the pilot of an ATAC operated Mk.58 Hawker Hunter after an engine emergency sent the training jet into the Pacific, while authorities searched for wreckage and possible pollution off California. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/va-axes-435-vendor-contracts-worth-1-1-billion-after-doge-push/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103559 2026-09-24T16:10:57+00:00 Bethany Loveland A federal audit found the VA terminated 435 contracts valued at $1.1 billion under the Trump administration’s spending reduction effort, while finding no evidence that specific veterans benefits or direct services permanently ended. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/navy-veteran-and-former-cia-officer-with-40-million-in-gold-nears-plea-deal/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103563 2026-09-24T16:10:57+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer David Rush and federal prosecutors are finalizing a tentative plea agreement after an FBI raid uncovered 303 gold bars, about $2 million in cash and 35 luxury watches, while questions about how he obtained the assets remain unanswered. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/france-breaks-up-tank-platoons-to-evade-drone-attacks/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103545 2026-09-24T16:10:57+00:00 Julian Dorsett France’s 7th Armored Brigade is testing smaller, modular tank formations as drone surveillance complicates armored maneuver, while commanders explore greater autonomy, dispersed command posts and future platforms capable of carrying counter drone systems or drone launchers. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/air-force-thunderbird-destroyed-after-engine-blind-spot-triggers-catastrophic-failure/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103371 2026-09-24T16:10:57+00:00 Julian Dorsett Investigators cleared the Thunderbird pilot and maintenance crews after hidden compressor blade failures destroyed a $33 million F-16, exposing an engine inspection blind spot also linked to an April 2024 crash. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/pentagon-adds-combat-pressure-test-for-officers-seeking-first-star/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103386 2026-09-24T16:10:57+00:00 Julian Dorsett Eligible officers seeking their first star will face simulated military problems, digital adversaries and wargames under a new evaluation that tests operational planning, leadership and decision making before promotion boards convene in 2027. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/sentinel-icbm-clears-major-hurdle-ahead-of-2027-flight-testing/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103389 2026-09-24T16:10:57+00:00 Common Defense Staff The Air Force completed vertical stacking and a key design review for the LGM-35 Sentinel, keeping the nuclear deterrent program on course for a Milestone B decision in 2026 and initial flight testing in 2027. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/centcom-is-now-a-crucial-battle-lab-for-unmanned-systems/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103380 2026-09-24T16:10:57+00:00 Common Defense Staff CENTCOM is moving unmanned systems from exercises into combat, using them for rescue, surveillance and strikes while confronting unresolved questions about cost, autonomy, survivability and acceptable losses in contested waters. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/royal-navy-scores-historic-first-with-u-s-mk-48-launch-from-uncrewed-submersible-watch/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103381 2026-09-24T16:10:57+00:00 Bethany Loveland The Royal Navy fired a U.S. Mk 48 torpedo from its Excalibur uncrewed submarine, validating allied weapon integration and setting the stage for expanded AUKUS work through Project CUTLASS and the Anduril Dive-XL platform.