With Christmas only days away, now seems like a great time to brush up on how to track Santa Clause’s progress through North America with the help of NORAD, or the North American Aerospace Defense Command. NORAD tracks everything that flies in North American airspace as a part of its defense responsibilities (which are shared […]
It’s official: Members of the Space Force are called Guardians
FeaturedOn Friday, Vice President Mike Pence announced that members of America’s newest military branch, the Space Force, will be called Guardians. Pence made the announcement during an event celebrating the first anniversary of the branch’s establishment. “It is my honor, on behalf of the President of the United States, to announce that, henceforth, the men […]
Buran: How the Soviets stole the Space Shuttle
FeaturedAlthough America’s space shuttle was not the budget-friendly platform it was intended to be, the program was so successful that the Soviet Union decided to build their own. Unbeknownst to most, they actually did, and it even flew in space. On April 12, 1981, NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia roared to life for the first time. […]
Valkyrie UCAV flies with F-22, F-35 for the first time in data link test
TechEarlier this month, the Kratos Defense XQ-58A Valkyrie flew alongside each of America’s 5th generation fighters for the first time, as the U.S. Air Force attempted to test a secure data link that would have connected the three aircraft in flight. This first test of a technology system dubbed “gatewayONE,” successfully connected the F-22 Raptor […]
Army names their new mask ‘Combat Cloth Face Covering’
Covid-19The U.S. military has a long and storied love affair with acronyms, and the U.S. Army’s new mask maintains that tradition with style. The new Combat Cloth Face Covering, or CCFC for short, may be tougher to say than “mask,” but it will dramatically reduce the force’s reliance on disposable masks, as well as allowing […]
Female Marine recruits will train in San Diego for the first time ever
NewsFor the first time ever, female Marine recruits will begin training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in February, as the branch continues to assess new ways to integrate the genders in training environments. “Beginning Feb. 12, 2021, an integrated company of male and female recruits is scheduled to begin their journey to become […]
Tempest: Everything we know about the UK’s 6th-gen fighter
FeaturedLast week, the Royal Air Force Capabilities Office and the branch’s Team Tempest held a virtual briefing to provide updates regarding their forthcoming 6th generation fighter dubbed “Tempest.” Along with industry updates and discussion about the program’s progress, the UK’s Ministry of Defence also revealed a new artist’s rendering of the new fighter (shown above). […]
Seahawk: Lockheed’s plan to put the F-117 on carriers
FeaturedThe introduction of the F-117 Nighthawk was a watershed moment in military aviation. After years of competing to field faster moving, higher flying aircraft that could outrun or out climb enemy air defenses, the Nighthawk adopted a new approach to fighting in contested airspace: stealth. Using the most powerful computers of the era, Lockheed’s Skunk […]
Here are the first military bases and personnel to receive the COVID vaccine
Covid-19On Wednesday, Pentagon officials announced plans to rapidly distribute some 44,000 doses of the new COVID vaccine to military and Defense Department personnel as soon as it’s been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The Defense Department’s initial allotment of 44,000 doses of the vaccine, created by Pfizer and BioNTech, will be distributed across […]
SECDEF: Everything you need to know about Lloyd Austin
FeaturedOn Monday, President-elect Joe Biden announced his choice of retired Army General Lloyd Austin to serve as the next Secretary of Defense. If confirmed by the Senate, Austin would be the first Black American to hold the position. This announcement comes as the Biden team continue to prepare for the Oval Office, and as the […]
