• The Defense Brief
  • Posts
  • 📻 Army May Eliminate Tactical Radios in Favor of Simpler Tech, Gen. Mingus Says

📻 Army May Eliminate Tactical Radios in Favor of Simpler Tech, Gen. Mingus Says

Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Mingus said the Army is exploring removing radios from the lowest echelons of the force, citing complexity and overload.

📬 In Today’s Defense Brief

🏜️ Saronic Expands USV Lineup With New Mirage and Cipher Autonomous Vessels LINK

🆕 Lockheed Plans to Transform F-35 With Sixth-Gen Technology Upgrades LINK

📻 Army May Eliminate Tactical Radios in Favor of Simpler Tech, Gen. Mingus Says LINK

🦎 Gecko Robotics to Support L3Harris Aircraft Maintenance With AI and Sensor Tech LINK

🗑️ Northrop Grumman Absorbs $477M Loss to Accelerate B-21 Raider Production LINK

🎱 Plus 8 other news stories you may like

📰 Full Breakdown

🏜️ Saronic Expands USV Lineup With New Mirage and Cipher Autonomous Vessels LINK

  • Saronic has unveiled two new unmanned surface vessels (USVs)—the 16-foot Mirage and the 40-foot Cipher—as it expands its naval autonomy portfolio.

  • Both platforms are designed for maritime ISR and electronic warfare roles, with modular payload capabilities and AI-enhanced autonomous navigation.

  • The company aims to address urgent U.S. and allied needs for low-cost, scalable surface autonomy in contested maritime zones.

🆕 Lockheed Plans to Transform F-35 With Sixth-Gen Technology Upgrades LINK

  • Lockheed Martin is seeking to incorporate sixth-generation technologies into the F-35, aiming to dramatically improve speed, stealth, and sensor fusion.

  • Proposed upgrades include adaptive cycle engines, advanced EW suites, and AI-driven decision aids to rival emerging threat platforms.

  • Company officials compared the shift to turning the aircraft into a "Ferrari" of fighter jets, signaling the F-35’s evolving future relevance.

📻 Army May Eliminate Tactical Radios in Favor of Simpler Tech, Gen. Mingus Says LINK

  • Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Mingus said the Army is exploring removing radios from the lowest echelons of the force, citing complexity and overload.

  • Troops often default to cell phones or text-based systems in the field, raising questions about the utility of expensive tactical radio systems.

  • The shift reflects a broader push for intuitive, less burdensome communications tech at the tactical edge, especially in expeditionary environments.

🦎 Gecko Robotics to Support L3Harris Aircraft Maintenance With AI and Sensor Tech LINK

  • Gecko Robotics has partnered with L3Harris to improve sustainment operations across U.S. military aircraft by using sensor-enabled robots and AI analytics.

  • The system scans and models aircraft surfaces for corrosion and fatigue in real time, improving accuracy and cutting downtime.

  • The collaboration is part of a broader trend toward predictive maintenance as military fleets age and readiness demands rise.

🗑️ Northrop Grumman Absorbs $477M Loss to Accelerate B-21 Raider Production LINK

  • Northrop Grumman took a $477 million financial hit to accelerate the B-21 Raider stealth bomber program, which faces supply chain and cost headwinds.

  • Executives said the move is aimed at avoiding production slowdowns and inflation-related delays, especially in critical materials.

  • Despite the loss, the company reaffirmed its commitment to meet the Air Force’s fielding schedule and long-term bomber fleet goals.

🌏 Other Important News

  • Egypt Conducts First Joint Military Drills With China LINK

  • RTX Earnings Dip Despite Higher Sales, Warns of $850M Tariff Impact LINK

  • Boeing Sells Digital Aviation Solutions Business for $1.1 Billion LINK

  • USCG Considers Finnish and Canadian Yards for Arctic Cutter Program LINK

  • Navy Bribery Defendants Point to Cultural Breakdown in Leadership LINK

  • Air Force Activates 23rd EW Squadron to Boost Electronic Warfare Readiness LINK

  • North American Radar Systems Upgraded in Air Defense Modernization Push LINK

  • Spain Launches $12 Billion Defense Plan to Meet NATO Spending Target LINK

Thanks for reading today’s Defense Brief. If you haven’t already, subscribe and share with others to stay up to date on the latest defense news.