Weapons Archives

Year in review: The best of the Debrief in 2024

December 25, 2024
Weapons and Warfare has now reached the 50th episode, marking one year for the team, which took a moment to reflect on the year in a recent discussion. Senior Producer Brett Baker, Video Editor Brian Spencer and Senior Motion Designer Dakota Piteo joined Host Ryan Robertson to share their thoughts and favorite moments from the show in 2024.

Brett Baker expressed his excitement about starting something from scratch and doing it remotely.

“It has been an amazing experience so far, and I am excited about what we have done and where we are going,” he said.

Brian Spencer highlighted the unique voice the show brings to military discussions.

“There are a lot of military show voices out there, and I am excited to level up that conversation and be part of deciphering the world of the military,” he said.

Dakota Piteo looked back at the content they covered.

“It is crazy to see how much content we have covered. It was a great year, and I am looking forward to more,” he said.

Robertson noted the remote nature of their work, with Baker in Lincoln, Nebraska, Piteo in Denver and Spencer in St. Louis. He appreciated the team’s collaboration and the core part of each show, the debriefs.

Robertson’s favorite debrief was about whether the U.S. could take out all of China and Russia’s nuclear launch facilities within two hours.

“I thought this was a great opportunity for us to showcase what we do best, bringing this world that is crazy and full of jargon to the average person, making it relatable and the ideas attainable,” he said.

Baker’s favorite debrief involved a story they explored during Special Forces Week in Tampa. They met Jared Shepard, who started Warriors Ethos, a transition program for veterans.

Baker shared how the program helps veterans, including a Medal of Honor winner, transition to civilian life, saying, “And what it really is, is a transition program for veterans, like myself. Now, I was fortunate. I left the Air Force on a Friday and started at a TV station in San Antonio on a Monday, and I didn’t have a difficult journey to travel. But that’s not always the case. So what Jared is doing is really cool and inspiring, and you know, it’s helping a lot of veterans who need that next step.”

Spencer’s favorite debrief was about the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program in Texas. He found it fascinating how the program brings together 14 NATO countries to secure European skies, despite language and cultural barriers.

“I think it is really cool that they are able to overcome all the bureaucracy of the militaries of each country, and then overcome the language barrier, the culture barrier, and just become the best of friends and have brothers in the sky,” he said.

Piteo chose the episode on additive manufacturing, or industrial 3D printing. He appreciated how the technology can resurrect old military tech and reduce costs, saying, “And I think it has tangible benefits for like, the real world, like everyday people. 3D printing is so viable. And then if we can move that on to like aerospace, or even just, a part you need from Home Depot, you know, that kind of thing. You need something custom for your old furnace, or things like that. I think it’s a really cool practice, and I’m really glad we covered it.”

Robertson concluded by expressing his fascination with 3D printing technology and its potential for widespread, cost-effective use.

“The more widespread we could make it, the more cost-effective it is going to be,” he said. “I know that we, the four of us, do not have access to a 3D printer, but I know we work with folks who do, and they have been able to 3D print some off-the-wall things.”

Access the full Weapons and Warfare episode here.

Access all Weapons and Warfare podcast episodes here.
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China warns US ‘playing with fire’ by providing military aid to Taiwan

December 23, 2024
After the U.S. announced military sales and aid to Taiwan, China says the U.S. is “playing with fire.” In a statement, the Chinese government said Sunday, Dec. 22, that Taiwan is the “first red line that cannot be crossed” in relations between the two global superpowers.

The U.S. authorized up to $571 million in defense support for Taiwan. In addition, the U.S. has sold hundreds of millions of dollars worth of weapons to the island’s government.

This comes just a few months after the U.S. approved another aid package of the same amount.

Taiwan governs itself as a democracy, sitting 100 miles offshore from mainland China.

The U.S. has backed Taiwan since the Communist Party took over China in 1949, but it shifted to an informal relationship with the island nation in 1980.

In practice, China does not control Taiwan but considers it Chinese territory and often talks about “reunification.” In recent years, China has escalated its activities around the island, suggesting it could try to attack and take over Taiwan in the future.

While Taiwan has accused China of undermining peace and stability in the region, this weekend, it was China making those accusations about the U.S. in response to its aid to Taiwan.

President-elect Donald Trump has not committed to defending Taiwan if China’s communist government invades the island. Instead, he has requested Taiwan pay more to the U.S. for defense.
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Biden admin to announce final Ukraine military aid package worth $1.2B: Report

December 20, 2024
The Biden administration is expected to announce its final Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) package worth $1.2 billion, according to an exclusive report from Reuters on Friday, Dec. 20. The aid will reportedly feature air defense receptors and artillery munitions.

Reuters reports the equipment will come via the USAI program, which means the weapons will come from U.S. defense contractors, not ready-to-go American stockpiles.

The equipment is not on a fast track either, as aid using this method can reportedly take months or even years to reach troops on the battlefield.

The package may be one of the last steps the United States takes to support Ukraine with direct military support before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20.

As Straight Arrow News has previously reported, Trump has questioned military aid to Ukraine in the past, and suggested European allies should bear more of the cost in supporting Kyiv militarily.

The incoming president’s stance has sparked concerns about the future of U.S. military funding for Ukraine during his second term.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago, the United States has committed $175 billion to Kyiv, including a little more than $61 billion in security assistance, with half of that amount coming from the USAI program.

When asked about the latest package by Reuters, the U.S. State Department and Pentagon said they were not disclosing any information about the potential package until an official announcement is made.
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South Korea and Ukraine join laser weapons club

December 19, 2024
Let loose the lasers. After some fairly rapid development, both South Korea and Ukraine recently announced their militaries were deploying lasers to active duty units.

South Korea

In South Korea, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said a system called Cheongwang, or Skylight in Korean, is now deployed with front-line units in Seoul.

Made by Hanwha, the Skylight went into mass production in July 2024. For less than $1.50, or about 2,000 won, the 20kW laser energy weapon system is designed to take down smaller drones and is effective to a range of around 2 to 3 kilometers, or a little less than two miles.

Officials with South Korea’s Ministry of Defense said the Skylight achieved 100% effectiveness during testing. However, the system does have limitations.

For now, it’s a fixed-in-place system. It can’t take down ICBMs and isn’t designed to counter a drone swarm. But future variants of the Skylight will include a stronger laser mounted to a truck. So, potentially, targets like ICBMs and aircraft could be taken down for a few dollars per engagement.

Ukraine

In Ukraine, though, the military claims to already have this capability. Col. Vadym Sukharevsky, the commander of the country’s unmanned systems forces, recently told a group of reporters at a defense conference, Ukraine is already deploying its Tryzub laser system.

The Tryzub, or Trident, can reportedly take down small aircraft at distances greater than two kilometers, or about 1.25 miles.

The assertion by Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces commander is notable, not just because the laser-touting club of countries is still fairly small, around half a dozen depending on whether you believe all the claims, but because the country just formed the unit six months ago.

Ukraine was likely able to make swift headway in the laser weapons arena because it based its design on “UK prototypes,” which probably means the 50kW Dragon Fire laser. Dragon Fire downed its first drone in early 2024.

Israel’s Iron Beam, made by Rafael, is another laser weapon in active development. Rafael successfully tested the Iron Beam numerous times, and Israel is expected to field it sometime in 2025.

Rafael also partnered with Lockheed Martin in the U.S. to deploy the Iron Beam on a variety of vehicles. The Iron Beam uses a 100kW laser, five times more powerful than what South Korea is deploying.

China says it has a counter-drone laser called the “Silent Hunter.” Russia says it has a laser that can blind a satellite, but Moscow doesn’t have much in the way of counter-drone laser systems.

Marine Corps officers told Straight Arrow News in 2023 Marines in the field need three systems to have one operational laser. Environmental factors like dust and the wear-and-tear of forward deployment just wreaked havoc on the laser’s sensitive components.

But the wars in Ukraine and the air defense battles waged in the Red Sea proved just how necessary directed energy weapons are in modern warfare.

So, the fact countries are now moving from the research and development stage to the deployment stage shows just how quickly solutions can be found to complicated problems with the right motivating factors and enough money.
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Congress unveils stopgap bill to avert shutdown

December 18, 2024
Congressional leaders unveil a stopgap bill to fund the government until March. And a mega-merger between Nissan and Honda might be revving up. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.

Congressional leaders unveil stopgap government funding bill

With just days left to prevent a shutdown, Congress unveiled a stopgap bill to keep the government funded into March. It’ll be down to the wire with the Dec. 20 deadline, as House leaders are supposed to wait 72 hours before bringing proposed legislation to the floor for a vote. This practice allows lawmakers time to review the bill.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday, Dec. 17, that he believes in adhering to the 72-hour rule, but with the deadline approaching so quickly that might not be feasible.

This new stopgap bill includes more than $100 billion in disaster aid, a one-year extension to the farm bill, $10 billion in economic assistance to farmers, a bill to renew expiring health care programs and a measure to restrict U.S. investments in China.

Right now, the government is funded through Friday by a different stopgap measure approved by lawmakers in September.

I am particularly proud that this bill advances some of my key priorities including strong proposals to help the United States out-compete the Chinese Communist Party. pic.twitter.com/k73axXhUl0
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 18, 2024

In a statement last night, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he’s “pleased these negotiations led to a bipartisan government funding agreement free of cuts and poison pills, while also securing Democratic priorities like millions for child care, workforce training and job placement, assistance for the key bridge rebuild, additional disaster relief funding and more.”

If approved, this new stopgap bill would keep the government open through March 14, after the GOP has gained control of both the House and Senate.

Luigi Mangione charged with first-degree murder as an act of terrorism

Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month, has been indicted of first-degree murder as an act of terrorism.

In a press conference Tuesday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg called the shooting outside a Manhattan hotel a “frightening, well-planned, targeted murder intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation.”

Mangione faces 11 counts, including two second-degree murder charges. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole.

Mangione, who remains in a Pennsylvania prison, is set for two hearings on Thursday, Dec. 19. One for charges he faces in the Keystone State and another hearing for his extradition to New York.

1 dead, 9 hurt in Baltimore shooting

A shooting near a Baltimore, Maryland, funeral home left one person dead and nine others injured.

Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough said officers responded to reports of shots fired at around 7:15 p.m. Tuesday and found a vehicle lying on its side in flames. McCullough said it appears the car was involved in an incident that caused it to crash and catch on fire but did not say how that was related to the shooting.

“We know that there are some additional scenes that we’re investigating right now where other gunfire took place throughout the neighborhood,” McCullough said. “And that was evidenced by the multiple calls for service from the neighbors who were calling 911 about the gunshots in the community.”

McCullough said the incident was “intentional and targeted.” No arrests have been made in connection with this case.

Madison school shooting motive appears to be ‘combination of factors’: Police

Wisconsin authorities provided more information on Tuesday about the shooting inside a Christian school classroom that left three dead: a teacher, a student and the 15-year-old suspect.

In a press conference, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said the motive appears to be “a combination of factors.” Barnes added investigators are speaking with other students to see if bullying was one of those factors.

“Some have asked if people were specifically targeted,” Barnes said. “Everyone was targeted in this incident, and everyone was put in equal danger.”

Barnes said investigators are looking into the suspect’s social activity. Police identified the suspect as Natalie Rupnow and asked anyone who knew her to contact them.

Police said Rupnow opened fire Monday morning, Dec. 16, during a study hall full of students from multiple grade levels at Abundant Life Christian School. She struck several people before shooting herself. Six others were injured in the shooting and two remain in critical condition.

Nissan shares surge amid rumors of merger with Honda

Shares for Nissan surged following reports of potential merger talks with Honda. Both automotive giants released a statement to media confirming the whispers of a possible “business integration,” but not confirming any decisions set in stone yet.

The two have already collaborated on electric vehicles and battery technology, but the companies could benefit from deepening ties as both have seen challenges this year.

Nissan and Honda have seen dwindling sales in China, the world’s largest car market. Additionally, both automakers are navigating a slow shift to the electric vehicle market amid growing competition.

Talks of the potential merger saw Nissan shares notch their best day in more than 40 years with a 24% surge, though Honda saw a dip.

Some reports suggested the two will sign “a memorandum of understanding” on the potential deal soon. Mitsubishi is said to be a potential third player in the mix.

Tom Cruise receives Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award

Nearly 40 years after he first starred as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the film “Top Gun,” actor Tom Cruise was awarded the U.S. Navy’s top civilian honor on Tuesday.

U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro presented the Distinguished Public Service Award to Cruise during a ceremony in London for his contributions to the Navy and the Marine Corps.

“I admire all of the servicemen and women,” Cruise said during the ceremony. “I know in life something that is very true to me is that is to lead is to serve, and I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women. I see that in you, and you understand that. And I appreciate everyone’s dedication. And it’s a true honor to represent them. And I’m just very proud.”

The Navy said the 62-year-old actor’s efforts in the film industry have increased public awareness and appreciation for its “highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform.”

As for what’s next for Cruise, his film “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” is set to be released in theaters in May.
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New weapon system aims to make every shot count: Weapon of the Week

December 18, 2024

Historians often credit Col. William Prescott with the famous command, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” He supposedly gave the advice to British troops marching on Bunker Hill. However, whether he actually said it is subject to debate among historians.

What’s not up for debate is the phrase’s intention, make your shot count. That’s why the Smart Shooter SMASH 2000L and the SMASH Hopper are being featured in this week’s weapon of the week.

While the rifle may have been the 20th century soldier’s best friend, in the 21st, their fire control system probably isn’t far behind. One likely candidate for that role is the SMASH 2000L. Built by Smart Shooter, an Israeli defense contractor with operations in the U.S., it’s an electro-optical fire control system that works on just about any gun available.

“So it’s real simple. All you do, it acts like a standard reflex sight,” Scott Thompson, vice president and general manager of Smart Shooter Inc. said. “So you get like a dot reticle. You look through the field of view, that’s your aiming point, right? And so once you decide you’re going to engage something, you hit the button, it starts to do the calculation to that target, and you’ll see a crosshair pop up.

“All you do is move. You hold the trigger down, you hold it down, and you move the crosshair into the disturbed reticle, and it does not release the round until this says it has 100% solution. That’s why it’s so accurate.”

The Weapons and Warfare team caught up with Thompson at the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting, where he walked through the system’s finer points.

“The other thing is that once you’re locked on a target, it continues to update the ballistic solution. So that’s why we can hit moving targets,” Thompson said. “That’s why you can be unstable, you can be wounded, you could be exhausted, you could be inexperienced, you know, with general weapons. It doesn’t matter. Once you’re locked on that target, the system will hit that target.”

But what really caught our eye was the SMASH Hopper. A lightweight remote-controlled weapon station, the Hopper, when paired with their fire control system, helps operators engage ground targets and small UAVs, or drones.

Soldiers can also use the SMASH Hopper in a fixed position or mounted to a vehicle.

“So, basically, the same technology, same thought process and what we’re trying to do here is demonstrate our ability to have a mobile counter UAS capability,” Thompson explained. “There’s obviously, this is a huge threat for the Air Force. They’re worried about air bases, you know. And so we can, because they don’t have a lot of kinetic solutions at this point. And this is one of the best that that’s out there right now. We think so.

“We have it mounted to a vehicle right now, but even a dismounted soldier if they’re setting up camp. Yeah, normally comes with a tripod. Yeah, it’s a little security, automated security, right? We’ve had it on UGVs. We’ve got it on small robots and tunnels. We’ve had it on telescoping masts. So, because it’s so lightweight, it can integrate to almost any kind of platform, it’s really easy.”

Access the full Weapons and Warfare episode here.

Access all Weapons and Warfare podcast episodes here.
Explosion kills top Russian general in Moscow: Officials

December 17, 2024
A top Russian general was killed in a blast in Moscow, according to officials. And police identify the suspect in a deadly school shooting in Wisconsin. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.

Officials say explosion kills Russian general in Moscow

Russian officials said an explosion near an apartment building in Moscow killed the head of Russia’s nuclear and chemical forces Tuesday morning, Dec. 17. Officials said the explosive device, which was planted in a scooter and triggered remotely, killed Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov and his assistant.

Russia’s investigative committee said it is treating the bombing as a terrorist attack. Kirillov has been the head of Russia’s nuclear defense forces since April 2017.

On Monday, Dec. 16, Ukraine’s security services charged Kirillov with the use of banned chemical weapons during the war. He also faced sanctions from several countries, including the U.K. and Canada, for his role in the war in Ukraine.

A Ukrainian official, who spoke to the Associated Press anonymously, said the security service carried out the attack.

2 charged in connection with drone strike that killed 3 American soldiers

Two Iranian men, one of whom is a dual-American citizen, were charged in connection with a deadly drone attack that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan earlier this year.

FBI specialists analyzed the drone and were able to trace its navigation system to an Iranian company operated by one of the defendants. According to prosecutors, the defendant relied on parts and technology funneled into the country by his alleged co-conspirator.

Authorities identified the suspects as Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi and Mohammad Abedini. Prosecutors said Sadeghi worked at a Massachusetts-based semiconductor company. Abedini was arrested in Italy, and the Justice Department is seeking extradition to Massachusetts.

Both men are charged with export control violations. Abedini also faces charges of conspiring to provide material support to Iran.

Police identify 15-year-old suspect in deadly Wisconsin school shooting

New details are emerging about a deadly school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. Three people died, including the suspected shooter.

Police said a 15-year-old girl, who was a student at Abundant Life Christian School, opened fire inside a classroom Monday morning. Another student and a teacher were killed.

“The shooter has now been identified as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha,” Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said. “She was a student at the school and evidence suggests she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

Barnes added, “At this time, we believe there was only one shooter involved. We are still working to determine a motive. Detectives have talked to her family members this evening as well as conduct a search of the shooter’s home here in Madison.”

Six others were injured in the shooting. Police said two of the injured students remain in critical condition. Authorities said it is not clear if the teacher and teenage student who were killed were targeted.

In response to the shooting, President Joe Biden issued a statement that called for Congress to pass more gun safety laws. He called for universal background checks, a national red flag law and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

Judge rejects Trump’s bid to throw out hush money conviction

Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year on presidential immunity, a New York judge said he will not throw out President-elect Donald Trump’s conviction on 34 charges of falsifying business records related to payments made to porn actor Stormy Daniels to influence the 2016 presidential election.

Trump denied any wrongdoing regarding Daniels’ claims of a sexual relationship between the two.

Trump was originally set to be sentenced in the so-called “hush money” case on Nov. 22, but Judge Juan Merchan postponed it to allow both sides more time to present arguments related to potentially dismissing the case. Trump’s lawyers asked to dismiss the case, citing the SCOTUS ruling in July giving a president wide immunity from prosecution.

Trump communications director Steven Cheung called Monday’s decision to allow the case to continue a “direct violation of the Supreme Court’s decision on immunity, and other longstanding jurisprudence.”

It’s still unclear when or if a sentencing date will be set. Prosecutors have already agreed the president-elect would not be sentenced while he is in office. However, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has argued in legal filings that the felony conviction should still stand.

Trump meets with TikTok CEO as app faces U.S. ban

President-elect Trump met with the CEO of TikTok Monday at his Mar-a-Lago resort, according to multiple reports. The meeting came as the popular social media platform faces a ban in the U.S.

Earlier this year, in a show of bipartisan support, Congress passed a measure that would ban TikTok in the U.S. as of Jan. 19, 2025, and President Biden signed it into law. A federal court upheld that move earlier this month.

Trump originally tried to ban TikTok during his first administration. However, he has since reversed course, vowing on the campaign trail to “save” the app.

During a press conference before Monday’s meeting with TikTok’s CEO, the president-elect addressed the matter.

“We’ll take a look at TikTok,” he said. “You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points and there are those that say that TikTok has something to do with it.”

TikTok filed an emergency application with SCOTUS on Monday asking for a temporary injunction that would delay the ban while the company seeks a formal review by the justices.

Trump is set to meet with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, Dec. 17. He is then expected to sit down with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

‘Red One’ brings in 50 million viewers in record Prime Video debut

Amazon is hoping it’s found the next big holiday hit. “Red One,” the holiday action movie starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, is now Amazon MGM Studios’ most-watched film debut ever on its Prime Video streaming service.

The movie pulled in a record-breaking 50 million viewers worldwide during its first four days of streaming. The film, which cost $200 million to make, was originally set to be a Prime Video exclusive. The studio switched course and first premiered it in theaters last month.

“Red One” surpassed Jake Gyllenhaal’s “Road House” for Prime Video’s most-watched film debut. Now, Amazon said “Red One” will “clearly be a perennial holiday favorite for years to come.”
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Australia can now fire Tomahawk cruise missiles. Take note, China

December 13, 2024
For years, only the U.S. and British navies had the ability to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles. But thanks to China acting like it wants to take over the Pacific, Australia can fire them, too.

The HMAS Brisbane, a Royal Australian Navy Hobart-class destroyer, is taking part in what the RAN dubbed an “interchangeability deployment.” It’s happening off the coast of California, and that’s where the RAN joined the history books as one of three nations to launch a Tomahawk land-attack cruise missile from a naval vessel.

The Tomahawk struck a land-based target, and in doing so, Australia’s deputy prime minister says it showed the strength of the alliance between the U.S. and Australia. It will also change the calculus for any potential aggressor so that no state will ever conclude that the benefits of conflict outweigh the risks.

So what makes the Tomahawk so special? A number of things.

For starters, its range. The powerful engine and wings mean this cruise missile can hit targets at least 1,000 miles away. It also has a fairly stealthy profile and flies extremely low to avoid detection.

The missiles use advanced guidance systems, such as terrain mapping. They can get updated target information mid-flight and loiter, which means they can circle around in the air and wait for a target before striking.

Tomahawks can hit things on land or at sea. The missiles can also carry several different warheads, depending on the mission.

Australia is buying 200 Tomahawks, which will, of course, be deployed on the Hobart-class destroyers and its nuclear-powered submarines. These submarines have yet to be built but are part of the AUKUS defensive agreement between the U.S., UK, and Australia. We’ve reported on AUKUS before, so if you want more details, check out the Straight Arrow News archives and search “AUKUS,” or click here.

While the club of Tomahawk-toting navies sits at three right now, it will soon include a fourth: Japan.

The Japanese Self-Defense Force is going through plenty of its own changes because it also doesn’t want to see China take over the Pacific. So, among the many weapons procurements Japan signed recently, there is a deal to buy 400 Tomahawks.

The buildup in force by U.S. allies is part of a coordinated plan to try to deter Chinese military action or snuff it out if it comes to that.

So, let’s take a look at how that strategy is playing out. Here we have Australia with its new supply of Tomahawk missiles. In addition to its navy, Australia’s ground forces also train with their U.S. counterparts.

So does the Philippines. The relationship between the U.S. and Filipinos is very strong. The U.S. has several military bases there. The Philippines is called an aircraft carrier that you can’t sink because of all the islands that make up the nation.

Of course, we have Taiwan, which China wants to reunite with by force if necessary. Taiwan also produces most of the world’s microprocessors, which is part of what makes it so strategically important.

And then there’s Japan, which we just mentioned is buying Tomahawks. So Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea–together they form the first line of defense, so to speak, to keep China locked in what’s called the First Island Chain.

Backing up all those resources is Guam. The small but strategically vital island is home to all sorts of U.S. military personnel and technology. Those bases help monitor and coordinate any action against the Chinese, again, if it comes to that.

By arming themselves to the teeth, U.S. allies in the Pacific are hoping to show the Chinese any fight they want to start isn’t worth having.
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US military embraces AI in push for autonomous weapons superiority

December 12, 2024

The Pentagon has announced the launch of the Artificial Intelligence Rapid Capabilities Cell (AI RCC), a new office focused on integrating artificial intelligence into military systems. This initiative is part of the United States’ broader efforts to deploy autonomous weapons and counter threats from adversaries such as China and Russia.

Operating under the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, the AI RCC will collaborate with the Defense Innovation Unit to adopt AI-driven technologies. These technologies include autonomous drones, command and control systems, operational planning tools, and intelligence systems. According to Pentagon officials, these advancements are expected to enhance the lethality and efficiency of U.S. forces while strengthening national security.

The AI RCC builds on the work of Task Force Lima, an initiative that examined potential AI applications within the Defense Department. The findings from Task Force Lima are being leveraged to accelerate the deployment of next-generation AI capabilities.

For fiscal years 2024 and 2025, $100 million has been allocated to fund the development and testing of these technologies. Early projects will include real-world testing of AI pilots and refining AI models through advanced cloud-based environments known as “sandboxes.”

A key focus of the initiative is the Replicator program, which aims to deploy thousands of AI-powered drones to counter swarms of autonomous weapons used by adversaries. Pentagon officials have emphasized the importance of responsible deployment, ensuring that these technologies meet strict standards for reliability and security to avoid unintended consequences.
Army enhancing soldier experiences, modernizing office space: Weapons and Warfare

December 11, 2024
This week on Weapons and Warfare, host Ryan Robertson delves into an innovative aspect of military evolution: the Army’s efforts to modernize office spaces for today’s soldiers. Gone are the days of monotonous, sterile environments; Ryan explores how the Army is reimagining workspaces to boost productivity, morale and troop collaboration.

Also featured in this episode:
- The U.S. moves to arm Ukraine with counter-drone technology.
- Hurricane Hunters call it a wrap on a busy 2024.
- The USS Zumwalt gets fit for hypersonic weapons.
- Weapon of the Week: AeroVironment’s P-550 drone. With advanced reconnaissance capabilities and high-tech sensors for real-time intelligence, the P-550 is set to transform aerial surveillance on the battlefield.
You can subscribe to the Weapons and Warfare podcast on the platform of your choosing here.
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