https://www.commondef.com Fri, 18 Sep 2026 17:23:00+0000 en-us hourly 1 https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/trump-pushes-24-3-billion-f-35-power-deal-as-houthi-threat-surges/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102854 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Bethany Loveland Trump’s administration is advancing a potential $24.3 billion package of 48 F-35 fighters, 49 engines, and other parts for Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate and Congress begins its 30 day review. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/u-s-air-force-moves-to-extend-b-1-and-b-2-service-in-major-readiness-push/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102865 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Frank Guy The Air Force will keep its B-1 and B-2 bombers serving longer while investing in readiness, pilot training and modernization as the B-21 Raider advances toward its planned 2027 delivery at Ellsworth Air Force Base. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/coast-guard-boards-u-s-bound-vessels-after-hackers-apparently-breach-networks/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102871 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Coast Guard and FBI personnel boarded two commercial vessels after signs of network compromises, while separate reporting alleged that hackers disrupted communications and engine systems aboard the Liberian flagged VL Prosperity. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/f-16-erupts-in-flames-after-terrifying-michigan-crash-and-frantic-wingman-warning/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102890 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 LifeZette A Texas National Guard pilot safely ejected after a suspected bird strike disabled an F-16 over northern Michigan, prompting frantic radio warnings, a fiery crash, and an evacuation order for residents within one mile of the site. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/u-s-navy-should-hunt-chinas-carriers-in-pacific-fight-report-says/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102857 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Common Defense Staff A CSIS report urges the Navy and Pacific allies to turn China’s carrier strategy against Beijing, using submarines, missiles, drones, surveillance and cyber warfare to make its growing fleet costly and dangerous to operate. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/lockheed-lands-first-gm-parts-for-patriot-interceptors-in-blazing-22-day-turnaround/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102862 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Frank Guy GM Defense delivered the first PAC-3 MSE housing components only 22 days after signing its Lockheed contract, giving the Patriot production push an unusually fast start as demand for interceptors and other munitions continues to surge. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/army-hunts-new-drones-to-rush-blood-supplies-across-the-battlefield/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102868 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Frank Guy The Army wants two prototype drones capable of rapidly transporting 20 units of blood while meeting strict requirements for range, temperature control, durability and delivery accuracy, including the possibility of dropping protected cargo from above the landing zone. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/alabama-air-guard-commander-scores-crushing-appeal-win-after-firing/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102874 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Bethany Loveland Federal employment judges upheld a ruling that Alabama lacked a valid stated reason to remove Col. Doug DeMaio, ordering his restoration with back pay and benefits after years of unanswered questions surrounding his firing. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/air-force-seeks-mobile-cannon-to-crush-drone-swarms-and-cruise-missiles/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102877 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Common Defense Staff An Air Force information request seeks a mobile medium caliber cannon able to handle drone swarms and cruise missiles, adding an affordable, deep magazine defense layer for dispersed airfields where scarce Army systems may not be available. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/abdul-el-sayed-backer-hasan-piker-unleashes-vile-claim-america-is-worse-than-al-qaeda-watch/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102850 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 RVM News Hasan Piker told Axios that America has caused more terror than al-Qaeda by deaths, while Abdul El-Sayed continues facing pressure over his association with the influencer and his handling of Piker’s earlier “America deserved 9/11” statement. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/one-man-in-christian-craigheads-courage-his-story-and-the-battle-to-tell-it/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102785 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Bethany Loveland The former SAS operator ran toward a terrorist attack when no one else had yet gone in. Seven years later, his memoir and his return to the Shawn Ryan Show reveal a man still fighting—this time for the right to tell a story the world deserves to hear. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/trump-says-u-s-hopefully-nears-end-of-iran-war-as-saudi-arabia-and-houthis-trade-strikes/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102748 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Frank Guy Trump is signaling cautious hope for ending the Iran war, but escalating Houthi attacks, disrupted Saudi oil infrastructure and stalled ceasefire efforts are adding urgency to planned talks with Gulf leaders in New York. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/air-force-unveils-new-career-field-to-fortify-bases-against-drone-and-missile-attacks/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102728 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Frank Guy The Air Force is creating a dedicated point defense career field as drone and missile threats intensify, pairing specially trained airmen with artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and kinetic weapons to protect vulnerable installations. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/4-8-billion-army-deal-supercharges-helicopter-defenses-against-missile-threats/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102725 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Frank Guy The Army’s $4.8 billion Northrop Grumman contract will expand CIRCM laser protection across its helicopter fleet, giving crews an automated response to fast moving missile threats while replacing a much heavier system used for 16 years. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/germany-and-u-s-seal-major-patriot-and-strike-missile-production-pact/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102731 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Common Defense Staff Germany will serve as an additional production hub for scarce American munitions, with PAC-3 MSE interceptor work beginning later this year and officials examining German supply opportunities for Tomahawk components as Berlin builds deeper strike capacity. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/caine-warns-autonomous-systems-will-hunt-u-s-military-formations/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102736 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Julian Dorsett Gen. Dan Caine warned that autonomous systems, artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities are rapidly transforming combat, requiring the joint force to invest early, adapt quickly and equip trusted young leaders before the next conflict begins. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/report-warns-u-s-is-dangerously-unprepared-for-nuclear-attacks-in-space/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102739 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Bethany Loveland War games exposed major gaps in American detection, response and recovery plans for an orbital nuclear crisis, even as officials acknowledge U.S. space weapons and warn that Russia may pursue a nuclear ASAT capability. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/f-35-proves-its-combat-mettle-in-punishing-middle-east-deployments/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102643 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Julian Dorsett Air Force officials say the F-35 maintained strong mission performance, enabled rapid turnarounds and handled multiple combat roles during recent Middle East operations, despite a watchdog report placing readiness across the full fleet at 25%. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/ai-targeting-may-outrun-human-control-before-disaster-strikes/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102742 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Congressional witnesses warned that faster AI assisted targeting could leave military personnel without enough time, information or authority to challenge recommendations, raising serious questions about civilian harm, accountability and whether formal human approval still represents meaningful control. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/army-crowns-elite-drill-sergeants-in-first-showdown-since-sweeping-command-overhaul/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102744 2026-09-18T19:09:43+00:00 Julian Dorsett Berges and Harrington captured the Army’s top drill sergeant honors after 34 demanding events, earning new Fort Knox leadership roles as the service streamlines recruiting and initial training under its reorganized force generation command.