https://www.commondef.com Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:02:54+0000 en-us hourly 1 https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/air-force-thunderbird-destroyed-after-engine-blind-spot-triggers-catastrophic-failure/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103371 2026-09-23T23:04:47+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 2026-09-23T23:04:47+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 2026-09-23T23:04:47+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 2026-09-23T23:04:47+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 2026-09-23T23:04:47+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. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/f-16-crashes-at-u-s-air-base-in-western-germany-as-pilot-ejects-safely/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103377 2026-09-23T23:04:47+00:00 Frank Guy An F-16 crashed while believed to be approaching Spangdahlem Air Base after a four aircraft training exercise. The pilot ejected safely, while emergency crews responded and investigators began examining the cause. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/army-awards-lockheed-martin-massive-1-2-billion-prsm-production-contract/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103374 2026-09-23T23:04:47+00:00 Frank Guy The Army’s $1.2 billion Lockheed Martin award moves PrSM Increment 2 toward production as the military confronts reported missile shortages and pursues a longer range weapon capable of striking moving targets on land and at sea. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/space-force-opens-major-push-for-several-hundred-transfers-from-other-branches/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103368 2026-09-23T23:04:47+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer The Space Force has reopened its Interservice Transfer Program after three years, seeking several hundred officers and enlisted members, with priority for applicants who can enter intelligence, cyber, or space roles without retraining. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/pentagon-confirms-army-officers-nonhostile-death-supporting-iran-war-operations/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103365 2026-09-23T23:04:47+00:00 Bethany Loveland A female Army officer suffered a fatal medical incident while flying to Saudi Arabia, becoming the nineteenth service member death recorded in support of the Iran war as wounded troop totals reached at least 831. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/alaska-guard-pjs-brave-rising-arctic-river-in-daring-parachute-rescue/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103283 2026-09-23T23:04:47+00:00 Frank Guy Alaska Air National Guard PJs parachuted into remote Arctic terrain, crossed a rising river with rafts and rope rigging, and warmed stranded hunters until a civilian helicopter could complete the dramatic extraction. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/general-atomics-delivers-fq-42-vengeance-to-creech-for-expanded-testing/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103297 2026-09-23T23:04:47+00:00 Bethany Loveland General Atomics has delivered the FQ-42 Vengeance to Creech Air Force Base, where testing will continue as the Air Force pursues at least 500 autonomous aircraft by 2032 and expands funding for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/air-force-major-who-called-for-trumps-impeachment-fights-for-special-court-martial/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103286 2026-09-23T23:04:47+00:00 Common Defense Staff Air Force Maj. Jason Watson’s lawyers are seeking a special court-martial for 10 UCMJ specifications, arguing that criticism is not contempt and citing the military’s treatment of Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller as the key comparison. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/u-s-keeps-close-watch-on-chinese-marine-presence-off-alaska-arctic-coast-guard-chief-says/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103302 2026-09-23T23:04:47+00:00 Frank Guy Four Chinese research vessels have operated offshore in the U.S. Arctic during 2026, prompting close scrutiny over possible seabed mineral research and activity that could provide Beijing with a military advantage or threaten U.S. security. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/pentagon-keeps-weapons-production-answers-under-wraps/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103289 2026-09-23T23:04:47+00:00 Julian Dorsett The Pentagon sought aggressive plans for faster weapons production, but it has not revealed who responded, what timelines were proposed, or whether the 21 day industry exercise changed procurement and funding plans for fiscal 2028. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/president-trump-marks-first-white-house-helipad-takeoff-after-grand-ribbon-cutting-watch/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103262 2026-09-23T23:04:47+00:00 LifeZette President Donald Trump inaugurated the White House’s new granite helipad before departing for New York City, adding another completed project to his continuing upgrades of the presidential grounds. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/airmen-embrace-tough-new-combat-training-but-leaders-fear-skills-could-fade/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103292 2026-09-23T23:04:47+00:00 Julian Dorsett Airmen are embracing BMT 3.0’s tougher combat focus without higher attrition, but training leaders warn that technical schools and operational units must preserve those hard earned skills and keep the new warrior mindset burning. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/florida-fishing-charter-hauls-in-massive-air-force-attack-drone/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103280 2026-09-23T23:04:47+00:00 Julian Dorsett A Florida fishing charter found a mostly intact LUCAS attack drone floating in the Gulf after routine testing near Eglin Air Force Base, but not before catching mahi-mahi and tripletail around the waterlogged military aircraft. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/socom-nutrition-app-targets-peak-performance-and-battlefield-lethality/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103295 2026-09-23T23:04:47+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer SOCOM’s nutrition platform will connect more than 18,000 tactical troops with up to 55 performance dietitians, offering personalized meal guidance intended to sustain human performance and lethality during long, physically demanding missions. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/uss-abraham-lincoln-pulls-into-guam-as-grueling-deployment-reaches-10th-month/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103301 2026-09-23T23:04:47+00:00 Frank Guy USS Abraham Lincoln and Carrier Strike Group 3 reached Guam for a short logistics stop after nine months away from American soil, amid a deployment marked by more than 260 days without a scheduled port call and reported morale concerns. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/air-force-poised-to-graduate-1500-new-pilots-after-sweeping-training-overhaul/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103307 2026-09-23T23:04:47+00:00 Common Defense Staff The Air Force expects to graduate 1,500 pilots in fiscal 2026 after pairing civilian aviation programs with military instruction, giving students around 120 flight hours before they enter the military pipeline and cutting T-6 training days by 31%.