The United States Navy recently awarded a $3.4 billion contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation to develop and deliver the E-130J, a new nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) aircraft as part of the Navy’s efforts to modernize its fleet and enhance deterrence. The E-130J, performing the “Take Charge and Move Out” (TACAMO) mission, will replace the aging E-6B Mercury currently in service. “Today is a tremendous day for the future of naval aviation’s contribution to our nation’s nuclear deterrence mission,” said Capt. Adam Scott, program manager for the Navy’s Airborne Strategic C3 Program Office “With the selection of Northrop…
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The Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy has launched a new fleet command to counter increased threats from North Korea. The new fleet, headquartered at Jeju Naval Base, on Jeju Island off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula, integrates 14 warships, including 10 destroyers and four support vessels, according to NK News, an independent and privately owned information source focusing on North Korea. “The task fleet command will serve as a central unit to deter and respond to North Korean provocations at sea and proactively prepare for emerging threats,” Adm. Yang Yong-mo, chief of naval operations, said during a February…
Australia is pressing forward to develop technology in support of AUKUS, the trilateral security partnership among Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Australian government announced $8 million in contracts to companies that are developing electronic warfare (EW) technology under a program established to produce critical capabilities for all three AUKUS nations. The contract awards, announced in February 2025, are part of the AUKUS Innovation Challenge series, which connects AUKUS Partners to cutting-edge technology. “These capabilities allow joint AUKUS forces to generate superior situational awareness and communicate effectively across all domains in contested environments — even when an…
The B-52 Stratofortress, an enduring symbol of United States military might since its introduction in the 1950s, has been receiving a series of upgrades designed to extend its service life and enhance its capabilities. These modernization efforts aim to ensure the bomber remains a formidable asset in the U.S. Air Force’s arsenal and to reassure Allies of the U.S.’s readiness and capability. A significant upgrade that recently passed critical design review (CDR) involved replacing the aging Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines with the new Rolls-Royce F130 turbofans as part of the newest B-52J variant. “We’re extremely proud to have delivered…
The United States Department of Defense’s (DOD) effort to field and scale technology across the military at commercial speeds is on track to deliver its first integrated systems in 2025, according to defense leaders. The first iteration of lethal unmanned systems developed under the Replicator initiative is slated for delivery by August. This first phase includes thousands of autonomous systems across multiple warfighting domains, creating what military leaders have called a “hellscape” to counter the Chinese Communist Party’s People’s Liberation Army munitions buildup. The goal is to produce “attritable” capabilities — platforms that are unmanned and built affordably — allowing…
Sentry Contributor The British engineering firm Rolls-Royce has secured an $11 billion, 8-year contract from the United Kingdom to manufacture nuclear reactors for the country’s next generation of submarines, the Dreadnought-class, underscoring the U.K.’s commitment to maintaining a robust continuous at-sea deterrent (CASD) and highlighting its role in global strategic deterrence. The deal, announced in January 2025, forms part of the U.K.’s long-term defense strategy. The new submarines, to be powered by Rolls-Royce’s reactors, will replace the current Vanguard-class fleet, ensuring the U.K.’s ability to project power and maintain its nuclear deterrent well into the 2050s, according to the U.K.…
As Space plays a greater role in defense strategy, the United States military is working with international Allies and industry Partners to ensure the domain’s stability, Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, commander, Space Systems Command (SSC), said during a January 2025 meeting of the National Space Club in Huntsville, Alabama. Increased threats from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russia demand rapid action to maintain space superiority, Garrant said. “Unfortunately, the space domain has become congested and contested, more than ever before. The threat landscape is vastly different these days with our adversaries having realized the tactical advantage that space…
As nuclear threats increase around the world, United State Air Force aircraft designed to “sniff” nuclear activities are becoming a crucial part of the U.S. deterrence strategy. The three planes that make up the WC-135R Constant Phoenix fleet, based at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebraska, are equipped with an onboard atmospheric collection suite that allows the mission crew to detect radioactive “clouds” in real time. The aircraft conduct sampling missions collecting particulate and gaseous effluents and debris from accessible regions of the atmosphere. The missions support the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963, which prohibits nuclear weapons…
In December 2024, Japan hosted the United States for the Extended Deterrence Dialogue at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo. Established in 2010, this dialogue serves as a platform for the nations to discuss the extended deterrence strategy that is central to their alliance. The discussions focused on regional security challenges, including Russia’s aggressive nuclear rhetoric and North Korea’s advancing nuclear program. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing extended deterrence, with U.S. nuclear capabilities supported by Japan’s defensive capabilities. The dialogue also emphasized the importance of policy coordination and defense capability alignment to respond to regional threats. Similar…
Japan has opened a dedicated diplomatic mission to NATO, one of many steps the country has taken to strengthen collaboration with Partners amid rising tensions from North Korea, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russia. The mission opened its doors in January 2025 as a separate office from Japan’s Embassy in Brussels, which previously covered NATO-related activities. The new entity has a dedicated Japanese ambassador to NATO, Osamu Izawa, former ambassador to Senegal, Cabo Verde and Gambia. Japan has increased collaboration with NATO members and other Partners, working to counter increased threats in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. In a…