Brent M. Eastwood

Key Points: The Russian army continues to endure high casualties in Ukraine, with losses possibly reaching 700,000, yet Vladimir Putin’s conscription strategy persists. Over 427,000 new troops joined in the past year, allowing Russia to mount slow advances in Donetsk and Kharkiv despite facing fierce resistance. -Putin leverages inexperienced personnel, including prisoners and sailors, while […]

A Waste of Rubles: The Russian MiG-41 aims to be a game-changing hypersonic interceptor, boasting speeds of MACH 4.3 to MACH 5 and operating at “near space” altitudes. -Positioned as a successor to the MiG-25 and MiG-31, it could carry hypersonic missiles, anti-satellite weapons, and employ AI for drone mothership capabilities. -However, the program faces […]

Key Points: The U.S. Navy achieved a milestone during RIMPAC 24 when an F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet successfully test-fired the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), sinking two decommissioned ships. -Developed by DARPA, the LRASM boasts stealth features, GPS-assisted navigation, and autonomous capabilities to evade enemy defenses, with a range of 200 nautical miles. -This cutting-edge […]

Key Points: The U.S. Air Force has revived two mothballed B-1B Lancer bombers, “Lancelot” and “Rage,” from the Davis-Monthan AFB “Boneyard” to meet operational needs and Congressional mandates. -These aircraft underwent extensive refurbishments, including repairs to egress systems and ejector seats, ensuring their readiness for modern missions. -The B-1B, which boasts the largest conventional payload […]

Key Points: Building an Iowa-class battleship today would be a monumental challenge for the U.S. shipbuilding industry. Originally costing $100 million during World War II ($1.65 billion today), these massive warships required three years and 71,000 workers to complete. -Advances like computer-aided design have streamlined modern shipbuilding, but workforce shortages and supply chain issues hinder […]

Key Points: Russia's sole aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov , symbolizes the decline of the nation's naval power. Frequent breakdowns, fires, and maintenance failures have plagued the carrier, raising questions about its future.

Key Points: The U.S. Air Force has revived two mothballed B-1B Lancer bombers , “Lancelot” and “Rage,” from the Davis-Monthan AFB “Boneyard” to meet operational needs and Congressional mandates.

Key Points: The U.S. Navy will retire its four Ohio-class SSGN submarines, which boast massive firepower and can carry up to 154 Tomahawk missiles. These Cold War-era subs, known for their pivotal roles in both missile launches and special operations, will be phased out between 2026 and 2028. -Their retirement creates a firepower gap that […]

Key Points: The B-2 Spirit bomber, a key component of the U.S. military’s nuclear triad, remains a vital asset despite its limited numbers and high maintenance costs. -With only 19 operational units, this stealth aircraft has proven its worth in missions from decades to recent strikes on Houthi militants in Yemen. -Each B-2, capable of […]

Key Points: The F-35A is the centerpiece of the U.S. Air Force’s modernization, designed for versatility in air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance. -With over 1,000 jets delivered globally, the aircraft is integral to 19 allied nations. Equipped with unparalleled stealth, advanced avionics, and a multi-role mission suite, the F-35 replaces legacy aircraft like the […]