The announcement comes as fears of a broader regional war grow, with Israel striking hundreds of targets in Lebanon in what is by far the deadliest cross-border escalation in nearly a year of violence between Israel and Hezbollah.

“In light of increased tension in the Middle East, and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional US military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region,” Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder told journalists, declining to provide further information for security reasons.

The United States has thousands of troops in the Middle East region, as well as warships, fighter jets, and air defense systems deployed to protect both its forces and Israel.

Ryder warned of the potential for the Israel-Hezbollah violence to escalate, calling for a diplomatic solution.

“Clearly there is the potential for these tit-for-tat operations between Israel and (Hezbollah) to escalate and to potentially spiral out of control into a wider regional war, which is why it’s so important that we resolve… the situation through diplomacy,” Ryder said.

World powers have implored Israel and Hezbollah to pull back from the brink of all-out war, with the focus of violence shifting sharply in recent days from Israel’s southern front with Gaza to its northern border with Lebanon.

Hezbollah, a powerful political and military force in Lebanon, has exchanged near-daily fire with Israel in support of its ally Hamas.

The Palestinian militant group carried out the worst-ever attack on Israel on October 7, sparking a conflict that has drawn Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups around the region into the violence.

The post US Sending More Troops to Middle East as Tensions Grow appeared first on The Defense Post.

The upcoming test will reportedly utilize Lockheed’s new vertical launch system called the Quad Launcher, which will allow the missiles to be fired from medium and large surface vessels.

The company recently showcased a model of a generic vessel equipped with four JAGM Quad Launchers, indicating its readiness for the much-awaited integration.

Lockheed did not provide a specific date for the planned live-fire demonstration.

If successful, the test could allow for the official integration of Quad Launchers on surface vessels to defeat maritime threats.

“We are still in the development phase of the vertical launch capability and demonstrating to [the] US [Department of Defense] is our near-term goal,” said Patrick Sweeney, Lockheed’s senior manager for international business development.

Potential Applications

The sea-launched JAGM test is part of a broader initiative to transform the munition into a multi-domain weapon system capable of addressing a wide variety of threats.

It can be used to engage uncrewed surface vessels and drones, similar to those used by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

Currently, the US Navy employs AGM-114 Longbow Hellfire missiles for targeting small surface vessels.

The existing version of the JAGM only allows for launch on aerial platforms, such as the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter.

Lockheed plans to offer the sea-launched JAGM to the US military and the Australian Defence Force.

The post Lockheed Braces for First Sea-Launched JAGM Missile Test appeared first on The Defense Post.

Further details from US officials are expected early this week.

While the package would also include air defense missiles, rockets, and artillery weaponry, the AGM-154 glide weapon equipping Ukraine’s F-16s is considered crucial for Kyiv, considering recent Russian advances in the east.

With a range of over 70 miles (112.6 kilometers), these weapons would allow Ukrainian pilots to target enemy troops and armor from a safer distance.

This US military donation would be the largest provided to Ukraine since May and could be the last before the US presidential elections scheduled for November 5.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is currently visiting the US to present his war “Victory Plan” to be discussed with President Joe Biden, and both presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

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Since its unveiling in December 2022, the company reports that the stealth bomber now undergoes up to two test flights per week, demonstrating its commitment to making the warplane operational as soon as possible.

Northrop also currently possesses three Raiders in various configurations, of which two are for ground testing and one for flight trials.

Recently, the B-21 assigned for ground testing completed a static test, verifying its structural design.

The one designated for flight trials also conducted fatigue testing that simulated real, long-term flight conditions.

“We’re really starting to strike up quite a cadence,” Northrop President of Aeronautics Systems Tom Jones said. “I think we’re well on the way to delivering a kind of asset that can be that daily flier for US warfighters out there.”

From flight test to production, our continued progress on the B-21 Raider is backed by its digital ecosystem and high-fidelity models. Learn more: https://t.co/zDE7sBzYRt pic.twitter.com/6jvICwNeBQ

— Northrop Grumman (@NGCNews) September 18, 2024

Preparing for Tomorrow

The B-21 is the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft, featuring a significant leap in capability beyond fifth-generation fighter jets such as the F-35 and China’s J-31.

It is designed to defeat the most sophisticated threats in modern warfare.

The plane incorporates stealth technology to minimize its signature, making it harder for adversaries to detect and counter.

It is also capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons.

The US Air Force said it plans to procure at least 100 B-21s to replace its older B-1 and B-2 bombers.

“The progress we’ve made on B-21 in the last 12 months is remarkable,” Jones stated, adding that this development “gives us additional confidence as we look ahead to delivering on B-21.”

The post Northrop Stepping Up B-21 Stealth Bomber Testing, Production appeared first on The Defense Post.

This is part of the 2024 Navigation Plan (NAVPLAN) for America’s Warfighting Navy, which Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti described as “overarching strategic guidance to make our Navy more ready.”

Project 33 aims to help in “prioritizing raising our level of readiness for potential conflict with the People’s Republic of China by 2027 while also enhancing the Navy’s long-term warfighting advantage.”

Project 33

The seven key areas start with readying the force by eliminating ship, submarine, and aircraft maintenance delays.

Next comes scaling robotic and autonomous systems “to integrate more platforms at speed,” as the US Navy created a new job focused on drones and robotics warfare in February this year and commissioned a new unit for unmanned operations in the Middle East in January.

The remaining key areas include creating command centers for success on a distributed battlefield, recruiting and retaining talented people, delivering quality service, investing in warfighter competency, and restoring critical infrastructure that sustains and projects the fight from shore. 

The NAVPLAN was released at the Naval War College on September 18.

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However, each aircraft must remain within 30 minutes of a safe landing zone as part of “a mission planning issue,” AFSOC Commander Lt. Gen. Michael Conley and a command spokesperson said.

At the AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference, Conley stated that the two CV-22B Ospreys in Japan and England “are almost back to full mission readiness,” and will be deployed in remote locations in a few weeks. 

The lieutenant general declined to name the locations but noted that it would not be in Europe or the Indo-Pacific. 

About 60 percent of the command’s 51 CV-22B aircraft have already returned to full flying status, and the rest should be back by late 2024 or early 2025, he added. 

This announcement comes after the decision to ground the fleet in early December following a fatal crash off the coast of Japan in November 2023, killing eight airmen. 

V-22 Osprey’s Troubled History

The Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, which can fly like a helicopter and a plane, has been involved in more than 10 deadly crashes since 1991 with 62 fatalities. 

In the past two years alone, four accidents were recorded. 

Failed gear was determined as the cause of the most recent November 2023 crash, according to the Air Force Accident Investigation Board headed by Conley.

In August 2023, three US Marines died during a drill in Australia after their plane went down. 

In 2022, four US Marines lost their lives in Norway when their aircraft crashed during NATO exercises in March, while five were killed in an accident near Glamis, California, in June.

The aircraft’s mechanical and safety issues over the years have raised concerns about the recent plan to resume operations.

“To be blunt about it, I would not put the men and women of AFSOC back on the plane if I wasn’t confident that it could do what we needed it to do,” Conley said.

“As part of my Accident Investigation Board duties, I spent time with families after the report came out, and that’s hard,” he continued.

“Those families are still grieving, and I appreciate that. They were all gracious to me and my team as we met and spent time with them. I owe it to the families to make sure that we’re giving [Airmen] the safest aircraft we can. And I wouldn’t put them in harm’s way if I didn’t have confidence in it.” 

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The ICC (P) is set to drive the service’s modernization plans for rapid collaboration and integration and continue developing a framework for its transition as a permanent institutional command by 2025.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall observed that the service’s current processes aren’t competitive enough to face the dynamic threat environment. 

“This organization is a key part of the competitive ecosystem we are creating to reoptimize for Great Power Competition. With other [Department of the Air Force] organizations, ICC will ensure the Air Force keeps pace with our pacing challenge, China, and acute threat, Russia,” he said. 

Integrated Capabilities Command

One of its initial tasks as a provisional command is to set up teams at existing Air Force centers known for their expertise, bringing together specialists in military operations and planning.

The command will test different military strategies, develop alternative force structures, identify requirements to stay ahead of threats, as well as coordinate science, technology, experimentation, and industry needs.

“We will bring together experts from across multiple fields into one organization to drive rapid collaboration that results in a coherent demand signal to industry. This will be essential to driving capability development at the pace our security environment demands,” said ICC (P) Commander Maj. Gen. Mark Mitchum.

The command will work with the service’s Materiel Command Integrated Development Office to determine the feasibility of requirements generated by technical and acquisition experts.

Full operational capability as a permanent command will be reached once a three-star commander is nominated and confirmed, a unit manning document is approved, and the strategic basing process is completed. 

“We are going as fast as we dare to build the Air Force we need from the beginning so we remain competitive into the future. We must be integrated from the start to stay ahead of the threat,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin during the 2024 Air and Space Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference on September 16.

The post USAF Sets up New Command for Improved Threat Response appeared first on The Defense Post.

Under the partnership, Anduril will integrate its Lattice open software platform into the revolutionary goggles to enable operators to see threats faster across the battlespace.

The software utilizes sensor fusion, computer vision, edge computing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect, track, and classify every object of interest in the operator’s surroundings.

Once activated, Lattice is expected to augment IVAS’ capabilities, enhancing soldier survivability in complex and contested environments.

“It’s one of the Army’s most critical programs being fielded in the near future,” Anduril founder Palmer Luckey said, referring to the IVAS. He added that the goal of the partnership is to ensure the device “gets the right data to the right people at the right time.”

‘Bringing a Full Picture’

According to Anduril, Lattice works by fusing multiple sensors, data, and assets into a single, AI-enabled software interface to automatically detect and monitor threats.

It employs advanced data processing techniques to filter high-value information, enabling operators to react to the most immediate threats first.

The software can also be used to further investigate threats by coordinating with other available platforms, such as drones and aircraft.

The company noted that its Lattice platform is also suited for monitoring land and maritime borders, as it can alert human operators to objects of interest through their desktop or mobile phones.

“IVAS brings a full picture of the battlefield to every soldier, enabling safer and more effective operations,” Microsoft VP of Mixed Reality Robin Seiler stated.

“Our collaboration with Anduril to integrate their suite of critical sensors … demonstrates the transformative capability of this fighting goggle and will allow us to further expand the impact IVAS will have for every US soldier.”

Struggling Program

Launched in 2018, the IVAS program aims to produce augmented reality goggles that are said to revolutionize how soldiers train and operate on the battlefield.

However, the initiative has faced challenges, with soldiers reporting disorientation, dizziness, eyestrain, and headaches after trying the equipment.

User feedback also revealed that fewer targets were hit when they used the early versions of the device.

The US Congress has already withheld nearly $350 million in funding for the goggles, with a Pentagon official claiming that the US Army might just waste billions of dollars on the program.

US Army Futures Command head Gen. James Rainey also stated that the upcoming operational tests of the IVAS goggles may determine the fate of the troubled initiative.

The post Anduril to Revive US Army’s Troubled IVAS Program, Partners With Microsoft appeared first on The Defense Post.

US officials are asking the war-torn nation to clearly outline its combat objectives for requesting expanded use of US-supplied long-range missiles.

Ukraine has stated that it plans to use the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which has a range of 300 kilometers (186 miles), to strike Russian airfields, command centers, and weapons depots deep in enemy territory.

President Joe Biden’s administration currently allows Kyiv to use the weapon only for strikes within Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine.

US officials remain skeptical that lifting the restrictions would have a significant impact on the war, noting that it may also come with greater risks.

Growing Pressure

The US has been facing increasing pressure from NATO allies to allow Kyiv greater freedom to hit targets inside Russia to level the battlefield.

Moscow’s forces have been using long-range aircraft, missiles, and drones to attack Ukraine, quickly gaining the upper hand in the ongoing war.

Washington has expressed concerns that doing so would further escalate the war and allow Russia to reverse-engineer some of America’s most sophisticated weapons.

It has also argued that the Ukrainian military is already using long-range drones to strike deep into Russia, which is a cheaper and more strategic method than firing costly missiles.

Additionally, the White House downplayed the capabilities of its ATACMS, stating they would be ineffective now because Moscow has likely moved its most immediate threats to facilities beyond the missile’s range.

“I don’t believe one capability is going to be decisive, and I stand by that comment,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin affirmed.

Russian Warning

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any strikes using Western weapons deep inside its territory will lead to a significant change in the nature of the conflict.

He said such a move would be viewed as an escalation of the war, making the US and its NATO allies directly involved.

“And if this is so, then, bearing in mind the change in the very essence of this conflict, we will make appropriate decisions based on the threats that will be created for us,” Putin told reporters.

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The ACFT, which emphasizes brute strength, appears to reinforce traditional gender stereotypes rather than accurately assess soldiers’ combat capabilities. This shift, introduced after women were allowed into combat roles, disproportionately disadvantages female soldiers while lowering the bar for men.

The Department of Defense (DoD) seems to be undermining Congressional mandates to integrate women into combat arms, setting fitness benchmarks that hinder both equality and readiness.

The decision to shift focus to raw strength under the ACFT comes at a politically charged moment in the military’s long struggle with gender roles. While the test was initially presented as a gender-neutral assessment, its implementation suggests a deliberate move to preserve male dominance in the military’s most elite ranks.

The study’s findings highlight how the ACFT’s standards fail to reflect the broad range of competencies necessary for effective combat, including teamwork, decision-making, and tasks that properly measure flexibility, agility, and endurance.

About the Study

This study is part of my graduate research while pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Oxford.

Having served in both Civil Affairs (Airborne) and Military Intelligence, I conducted this research with a focus on military readiness and gender equality in combat roles. With 21 years of military service, including leadership roles such as commanding a company of drill sergeants and deployments to Afghanistan and Qatar in support of combat operations, I drew on my experiences to critically examine the ACFT and its broader implications.

For this study, I used a mixed-method approach that included an extensive text analysis of Army combat manuals, interviews with senior officers, and a detailed survey of over 400 soldiers’ fitness test scores.

This allowed me to explore both the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of the ACFT’s impact, providing a comprehensive view of how fitness standards affect gender equality in the Army.

My research seeks to answer whether the ACFT’s design truly aligns with the physical demands of modern combat and whether it helps or hinders the integration of women into combat arms roles.

Disconnect Between Standards and Combat Readiness

Through text analysis of Army combat manuals, the study uncovers a clear disconnect between the ACFT’s focus on brute strength and the more nuanced skills required for battlefield success.

Through text analysis tools, researchers can systematically examine and quantify patterns within large amounts of information, offering insights into how these manuals prioritize various capabilities.

Army combat manuals prioritize capabilities that extend far beyond sheer physical power, raising questions about why the ACFT neglects these critical aspects. By elevating raw strength as the primary marker of fitness, the ACFT subtly redefines what it means to be combat-ready in a way that perpetuates gender inequality.

The most alarming revelation comes from data showing that the ACFT has significantly lowered fitness standards for men.

Under the previous Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), far fewer men qualified as “highly fit.” Now, men are passing and maintain elite categories under the ACFT at unprecedented rates. For instance, in initial trials at Fort Sill, nearly every male soldier passed the ACFT, while 61 percent had previously failed the APFT.

The data points to an uncomfortable reality: the ACFT is less challenging for male physiology, giving men an unnecessary advantage under the guise of gender neutrality.

Survey data further illustrates this imbalance. Even after gender-normed scoring, men still outperformed women by 3.29 percent, despite the survey including a significant number of exceptionally fit women.

This finding underscores the deep flaws in the ACFT’s design, which continues to act as a barrier to women’s advancement in the military. The survey’s analysis of individual events, such as the shift from sit-ups to planks and the introduction of the hand-release push-up, raises serious questions about why the Army chose exercises that seem to disproportionately disadvantage women’s physiology.

The findings from the Baseline Soldier Physical Readiness Requirements Study (BSPRRS), which were used as the reasoning for including the plank and now discontinued leg tuck in the ACFT, contradict broader medical literature that traditionally uses sit-ups to assess core strength.

The hand-release push-up, which a RAND report found to have weaker validity in assessing upper body strength compared to traditional push-ups, requires repeated impact on female breast tissue, leading to unnecessary discomfort and potential performance challenges for women.

Similarly, the RAND study notes that while sit-ups have traditionally been used to measure core endurance, there is limited evidence supporting the plank exercise in this context, particularly in relation to military tasks. The report highlights the need for further analysis to validate the plank’s effectiveness.

The shift from sit-ups to the plank exercise disproportionately affects female soldiers. Sit-ups, by allowing women to leverage their typically stronger lower body muscles and wider base, result in closer scoring parity between genders whereas the plank requires greater shoulder stability and upper body strength.

This disparity in event selection raises serious concerns because it directly limits women’s opportunities for promotions, access to advanced military schools, and competitive positions within the Army.

As the largest branch of the US military, the Army’s adoption of this fitness test sets a precedent that could be closely followed by other service branches, potentially magnifying the impact on gender equity across the military.

Challenging Gender Norms in Combat Roles

The findings also challenge the necessity of requiring women to meet the same physical strength standards as men. The study argues that women can perform combat roles effectively without needing to match men’s strength. These insights call for an urgent reevaluation of the ACFT to ensure it aligns with the actual demands of combat and provides a fair assessment for all soldiers, regardless of gender.

What’s at stake here goes beyond fitness standards. The ACFT represents a battleground in the military’s ongoing debate over gender equality.

By implementing a test designed to favor male soldiers, the Army reinforces outdated gender norms at a time when the country is pushing for greater inclusivity in its armed forces. Congressional mandates aimed at promoting gender equity in the military are at odds with the direction the Army has taken with the ACFT, and the political fallout could be significant.

As pressure mounts on the military to address the ethical, legal, and practical implications of the ACFT, this study’s conclusions could drive sweeping reforms. By calling for gender-specific physical fitness tests alongside gender-neutral combat task assessments according to occupational specialty, the report advocates for a more equitable approach to physical readiness in the Army.

In a military environment where inclusivity and effectiveness are paramount, the ACFT needs to be rethought entirely to ensure that all soldiers are judged fairly and according to the real demands of modern warfare.

This battle over fitness standards isn’t just about physical capabilities — it’s a reflection of the Army’s deeper struggle to redefine its identity in a more diverse and inclusive future. The outcome of this struggle will determine whether the Army truly stands for equality or remains mired in outdated traditions that reinforce gender inequality.

Major Amy Forza, US Army Reserve, specializes in Civil Affairs (Airborne) and Military Intelligence. With 21 years of military service, she has served both as an enlisted soldier and a commissioned officer. She has held various leadership roles, including company command and multiple deployments in support of combat operations.

Amy has commanded a unit training Army Drill Sergeants and initial entry training soldiers. She served as an Intelligence and Operations Officer in Afghanistan and Qatar and has cultivated a deep understanding of the nuances of military training and fitness assessments.

Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Oxford.

Her article presents findings from her dissertation, which includes text analysis and survey data on the ACFT, highlighting the need for revisions to better align the test with the diverse operational demands of modern military engagements.

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The Defense Post.

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