🏟️ DHS taps Fortem to defend U.S. World Cup venues from drones

📬 In Today’s Defense Brief

🚢 Columbia-class submarines see construction ramp up, Navy official says

🏟️ DHS taps Fortem to defend U.S. World Cup venues from drones

⚡ Raytheon advances new non-kinetic effector for air and missile defense

🎯 Marine Corps tests Rogue Fires launcher in Kodiak exercise

🤖 U.S. Navy pushes forward with new autonomous ship concept

🎱 Plus 11 other news stories you may like

📰 Full Breakdown

🚢 Columbia-class submarines see construction ramp up, Navy official says — Read More

• Navy officials say production of the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines is accelerating as the service prioritizes replacing the aging Ohio-class fleet. The boats are central to the sea-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad and are viewed as the Navy’s top modernization priority.

• Shipbuilders are working to stabilize the industrial base after early schedule pressures, with workforce growth and supplier capacity remaining key focus areas. Leaders emphasized that meeting delivery timelines is critical to avoiding gaps in strategic deterrence coverage.

• The ramp-up reflects both increased production tempo and tighter oversight, as Congress continues to monitor costs and schedule risks tied to the multi-decade program.

🏟️ DHS taps Fortem to defend U.S. World Cup venues from drones — Read More

• The Department of Homeland Security selected Fortem Technologies to help secure World Cup venues against potential drone threats. The move highlights growing concern over small unmanned aircraft at large-scale public events.

• Fortem’s system integrates radar detection with interceptor drones designed to physically capture rogue UAVs, rather than relying solely on jamming. That approach is meant to reduce collateral interference in dense urban environments.

• Officials framed the contract as part of a broader effort to build layered counter-drone protection for critical infrastructure and mass gatherings ahead of major global events hosted in the United States.

⚡ Raytheon advances new non-kinetic effector for air and missile defense — Read More

• Raytheon is developing a non-kinetic effector designed to defeat aerial threats without traditional explosives, part of a broader push toward electronic and directed-energy countermeasures.

• The system is positioned as a complement to existing missile interceptors, offering potentially lower cost-per-engagement and deeper magazines against drones or cruise missiles.

• As adversaries field larger numbers of low-cost UAVs, Pentagon planners increasingly see non-kinetic tools as essential to preserving expensive interceptor inventories for high-end threats.

🎯 Marine Corps tests Rogue Fires launcher in Kodiak exercise — Read More

• The Marine Corps conducted testing of its Rogue Fires launcher during exercises in Kodiak, Alaska, reinforcing its expeditionary fires concept. The system is intended to provide mobile, land-based precision strike options in contested maritime environments.

• Rogue Fires aligns with the Corps’ broader Force Design transformation, emphasizing distributed units capable of holding ships and high-value targets at risk from austere positions.

• The Kodiak tests reflect continued refinement of the platform’s mobility, survivability, and integration with joint targeting networks.

🤖 U.S. Navy pushes forward with new autonomous ship concept — Read More

• The Navy is advancing a new autonomous vessel concept aimed at expanding its unmanned surface fleet. The effort is part of the service’s broader shift toward distributed maritime operations.

• Leaders describe the autonomous ship as a force multiplier, capable of surveillance, logistics, or even weapons employment without a full crew onboard.

• While autonomy offers operational advantages, questions remain about command-and-control structures, cybersecurity resilience, and integration with traditional manned strike groups.

🌏 Other Important News

✈️ Air

• Turkish Aerospace in final talks with Saudis over KAAN fighter program — Read More

• Israel’s David’s Sling missile defense update — Read More

• Marines will use Air Force-tailored drone to help develop robot wingman — Read More

• UK firms advance quantum technology for defense — Read More

• Russia deploys defensive cables to counter drones — Read More

• Ukraine tests laser-based drone killer — Read More

🌊 Sea

• Crowded field of robot boat makers vying for Navy’s attention — Read More

• Coast Guard awards Davie Defense contract for 5 icebreakers — Read More

🏛️ Policy

• Russia still sees U.S. as top adversary, Estonian intelligence report says — Read More

• Marines on target to meet recruiting, retention goals — Read More

• Fleet cybersecurity funding to see increased investment in FY27 budget request — Read More

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