Report: US Air Force to Boost Base Defenses Against Drone and Missile Threats

Today’s defense news highlights strategic shifts in response to evolving threats, from drone warfare to missile attacks. Here’s a brief look at the latest developments:

US Air Force to Boost Base Defenses

The US Air Force is reportedly establishing a new point defense weapon system to protect its bases from aerial attacks, according to The War Zone. This initiative follows lessons learned from recent conflicts, with Air Force Chief of Staff General Kenneth Wilsbach stating that base defense must become a core function. The service is exploring kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities, including anti-aircraft gun systems, to counter drones and missiles.

French Army Experiments with Smaller Tank Units

France’s Seventh Armored Brigade is experimenting with breaking up its armored platoons into smaller, more dispersed units to counter drone attacks, Defense News reports. General Maxime Do Tran, the brigade commander, aims to make these smaller formations less appealing targets on a drone-dominated battlefield. This strategy seeks to reduce the cost-effectiveness of targeting individual units and requires small-unit commanders to operate with greater autonomy.

Pratt & Whitney Licenses F100 Engine Production

Pratt & Whitney has licensed aircraft startup Hermeus to produce its F100 fighter jet engine, marking the first such license for a fellow American firm, Breaking Defense reports. This agreement aims to boost the defense industrial base and meet growing demand for powerplants for existing and in-development aircraft. Hermeus CEO Zach Shore stated that the deal makes his company the first vertically integrated aircraft manufacturer under its high-speed Quarterhorse drone program, which also uses the F100.

Iranian Strikes Exposed US Medical Evacuation Gaps

An Inspector General report reveals that Iranian strikes exposed significant gaps in US military medical evacuation operations across the Middle East, according to Defense One. The military abandoned plans to use Army helicopters for casualty evacuation in Kuwait and Iraq due to the threat of Iranian drone and missile strikes, resorting to slower ground-based methods. This incident underscores the urgent need to standardize counter-drone capabilities to protect medical personnel and ensure timely care.

China Building Submarine Drone Mothership

Satellite images reveal China is constructing what appears to be the world’s first mothership designed to deploy submarine drones, Naval News reports. This vessel, spotted at Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai, signifies a major leap in uncrewed naval warfare and is part of China’s accelerating naval modernization. The ship’s design suggests it is capable of carrying multiple extra-extra large uncrewed underwater vehicles, potentially enabling long-range combat roles.

Battlespace Daily is a daily AI-produced, human-reviewed defense technology and national security brief. Read the full brief archive.