Backroom News

Backroom News Fast, Accurate, and Unbiased.

08/10/2026

Recent satellite imagery reveals that the Russian Navy has begun erecting protective netting over its submarines—including nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) at the strategic Rybachiy base in Kamchatka and Kilo-class attack submarines in Novorossiysk along the Black Sea—to shield them from drone attacks.

The netting and counter-drone screens reflect Russia's growing concern over Ukrainian uncrewed aerial systems and surface vessels, demonstrating how these threats have forced defensive force-protection measures even at naval facilities thousands of miles away from the front lines in Ukraine.

08/08/2026

On August 6, 2026, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory awarded Dzyne Technologies a contract exceeding $6 million to advance the Long-Range Grasshopper, an air-launched, turbine-powered autonomous cargo drone designed for one-way resupply missions in contested environments.

Upgraded from an unpowered glider variant, the 1,700-pound expendable drone carries a 500-pound payload over a range exceeding 500 nautical miles before delivering its cargo via parachute descent without requiring a runway.

The new funding focuses on enhancing manufacturability, flight endurance, modular payload capacity, and autonomous navigation in GPS-denied environments, allowing the Air Force to support its Agile Combat Employment (ACE) operational concept and supply dispersed forces without exposing crewed transport aircraft to hostile anti-air threats.

08/08/2026

The USS Abraham Lincoln is facing severe crew exhaustion and declining morale following a second extension to its deployment in Middle Eastern waters. Operational strain from prolonged at-sea duty has led to degraded shipboard living conditions, including reported food shortages and moldy showers.

In response, military family members recently confronted Navy leadership in a tense meeting over the physical and mental toll imposed on the crew.

The situation underscores escalating concerns over sailor well-being and the broader operational strain placed on the U.S. Navy's supercarrier fleet during extended overseas missions.

08/07/2026

Swedish defense manufacturer Saab plans to double its Gripen fighter jet production from 15 to 25–30 aircraft annually to meet surging global demand.

The expansion supports a growing international order backlog, including Ukraine’s initial contract for 16 Gripen E fighters alongside existing commitments for Sweden, Brazil, Colombia, Thailand, and Hungary.

To achieve this higher output and cut assembly cycle times from 24 to roughly 12 days per jet, Saab is addressing supply chain constraints by increasing raw material inventories, qualifying redundant suppliers for key components, and leveraging its co-production facility with Embraer in Brazil.

08/06/2026

During BWX Technologies' Q2 2026 earnings call, CEO Rex Geveden revealed that the company is in early discussions with U.S. Naval Reactors regarding a proposed U.S. Navy nuclear-powered battleship that could adapt an existing Ford-class aircraft carrier reactor design.

Because the reactor could fit into BWXT's current manufacturing lines, long-lead supplier work could begin as early as 2028 if Congress approves authorization and funding following preliminary design studies set for 2027.

However, Geveden noted that a separate shift in the Navy's aircraft carrier procurement plan—moving Ford-class carrier orders from a five-year to a four-year cadence—would provide an even larger boost to manufacturing efficiency and steady volume for the company starting in 2028.

08/06/2026

The U.S. Navy announced it is reclassifying 19 planned Virginia-class nuclear submarines from "fast-attack submarines" (SSN) to "guided missile submarines" (SSGN) to reflect their significantly enhanced strike capabilities.

The change applies to upcoming Block V and Block VI boats scheduled for delivery through 2038—starting with the USS Arizona in fiscal year 2029—which will feature the new Virginia Payload Module (VPM) adding four large payload tubes that allow each vessel to carry an additional 28 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The decision follows a $42.1 billion contract award for nine Block VI submarines and is intended to better integrate high-volume precision strike firepower and persistent deterrence into the stealth fleet.

08/06/2026

The completion of Poland’s 16th F-35PL "Husarz" stealth fighter jet in Fort Worth, Texas, marks the end of the US-based assembly phase for Warsaw's $4.6 billion contract for 32 aircraft signed in 2020.

Assembly of the remaining 16 fifth-generation fighters will transition to the European Final Assembly and Checkout (FACO) facility in Cameri, Italy, operated by Leonardo in cooperation with Lockheed Martin.

These advanced F-35PL jets are replacing Poland's aging Soviet-era MiG-29 and Su-22 fleets, serving as networked intelligence and precision strike platforms to significantly enhance NATO’s eastern flank deterrence amid ongoing regional security concerns with Russia.

08/06/2026

Finland's transport ministry has arranged to supply Canada with seasonal icebreaking capacity: state-owned operator Arctia is chartering its icebreaker Nordica to a joint venture between the indigenous Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and Horizon Group.

Nordica, a dual-purpose commercial icebreaker normally working the Baltic in winter, will support the Canadian Coast Guard's nine-ship Arctic icebreaking program this summer. The deal builds on Finland's growing North American icebreaking role, following its recent sale of four new icebreakers to the U.S. Coast Guard.

08/05/2026

The Ministry of Defence's annual report reveals that Royal Navy vessels were activated 116 times during 2025-26, shadowing 61 Russian warships and 28 merchant vessels in UK waters under Operation Addison, as Russian naval activity increased 30% over the previous two years.

Notable incidents included HMS Somerset tracking the spy ship Yantar near undersea cables in November 2025, shadowing the submarine Krasnodar through the Channel in December, and supporting a US interdiction of the tanker Marinera in January 2026. The Navy maintains such monitoring complies with international law.

08/05/2026

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius accidentally confirmed, during an August 4 visit to KNDS's Kassel plant, that Germany's advanced RCH-155 wheeled self-propelled howitzers have already been delivered to Ukraine, per Bild.

He noted the system is well-received on the battlefield and referenced the plant site as where the first unit sent to Ukraine had stood roughly two years ago.

The RCH-155 is notable for being able to fire while moving at speeds over 100 km/h, needs only a two-person crew, and can fire up to nine rounds per minute. Germany plans to deliver 54 units total, enough for three artillery battalions.

Address

335 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Amerika Serikat
Indianapolis, IN
46204

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Backroom News posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category