⚛️ USS Nimitz nuclear reactors eyed to power AI-scale data centers

📬 In Today’s Defense Brief

🛳️ New USS Ted Stevens destroyer delivered to U.S. Navy — Read More

⚛️ USS Nimitz nuclear reactors eyed to power AI-scale data centers — Read More

🚨 China launches live-fire military drills around Taiwan — Read More

🤝 Zelenskyy seeks security guarantees in Trump meeting — Read More

📡 Saab wins new contract for GlobalEye airborne early-warning aircraft — Read More

🎱 Plus 6 other news stories you may like

📰 Full Breakdown

🛳️ New USS Ted Stevens destroyer delivered to U.S. Navy — Read More

• The U.S. Navy has officially taken delivery of the USS Ted Stevens, a new Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer named after the longtime Alaska senator. The handover marks another incremental expansion of the surface fleet at a time when demand for forward-deployed naval presence continues to rise.

• The ship is equipped with the Aegis Combat System, advanced radar, and a vertical launch system capable of firing missiles for air defense, strike, and anti-submarine warfare. These capabilities make the destroyer a core asset for both carrier strike groups and independent operations.

• Delivery comes amid broader Navy efforts to sustain fleet size and readiness while balancing maintenance backlogs and budget pressures. Officials emphasize that each new destroyer helps offset aging hulls and supports persistent operations in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

⚛️ USS Nimitz nuclear reactors eyed to power AI-scale data centers — Read More

• A new analysis explores how the nuclear reactors aboard the USS Nimitz could, in theory, support massive AI data-center workloads, highlighting the growing energy demands of advanced computing. The article uses the carrier as a case study to illustrate how military-grade nuclear power dwarfs civilian energy infrastructure.

• The reactors generate sustained power far beyond what most land-based grids can reliably provide, underscoring why governments and companies are reexamining nuclear energy as AI workloads scale. While largely conceptual, the discussion reflects real concerns about power constraints.

• Defense analysts note that while carriers are not destined to become floating data centers, the comparison reinforces the strategic value of nuclear propulsion and power generation—both for military endurance and for future dual-use technologies.

🚨 China launches live-fire military drills around Taiwan — Read More

• China conducted large-scale live-fire drills around Taiwan, involving naval and air forces operating in multiple zones surrounding the island. The exercises were framed by Beijing as a response to perceived foreign interference and continued arms support for Taipei.

• Taiwanese authorities raised readiness levels and monitored the drills closely, while regional neighbors and Western governments expressed concern about the risk of escalation. The maneuvers included missile launches and coordinated movements consistent with blockade or coercion scenarios.

• Analysts say the drills resemble rehearsals for pressure campaigns short of invasion, reinforcing fears that Beijing is normalizing high-intensity military activity around Taiwan to erode deterrence and reshape the regional status quo.

🤝 Zelenskyy seeks security guarantees in Trump meeting — Read More

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump seeking clarity on potential U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine as the war with Russia continues. The meeting highlighted Kyiv’s urgency in securing long-term backing amid uncertainty about future U.S. policy.

• Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s need for sustained military assistance, air defense, and credible deterrence guarantees to prevent renewed Russian aggression. Trump’s comments focused on ending the conflict, though details on specific commitments remained limited.

• The exchange underscores broader allied concerns about the durability of Western support and how political shifts in Washington could shape Ukraine’s battlefield prospects and negotiating leverage going forward.

📡 Saab wins new contract for GlobalEye airborne early-warning aircraft — Read More

• Saab has secured a new contract for its GlobalEye airborne early-warning and control aircraft, reinforcing demand for long-range surveillance and command-and-control platforms. GlobalEye combines a Bombardier Global 6000 airframe with Saab’s advanced radar and sensor suite.

• The system provides wide-area air, sea, and ground surveillance, enabling operators to track aircraft, missiles, and maritime targets over vast distances. Such capabilities are increasingly prized amid missile proliferation and contested airspace.

• The deal reflects sustained international investment in ISR and battle-management platforms as air forces seek to extend situational awareness and integrate data across multi-domain operations.

🌏 Other Important News

🛡️ Land

• National Guard arrives in New Orleans for first New Year’s since Bourbon Street attack — Read More

🌊 Sea

• Huntington Ingalls ships Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to U.S. Navy — Read More

🌏 Global

• Taiwan stays on high alert as Chinese ships pull back after massive drills — Read More

• Chinese forces fire rockets near Taiwan, practice port seizure with amphibious forces — Read More

• Trump to press Netanyahu on stalled Gaza ceasefire — Read More

• Niger military rulers order general mobilisation against armed groups — Read More

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