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Ukraine’s Naval Drone Achieves Historic Aerial Kill, Downs Mi-8 Helicopter with Air-to-Air Missile

Ukraine claims to have downed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter using a naval drone equipped with an adapted air-to-air missile. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced the engagement, which took place near Cape Tarkhankut in Russian-occupied Crimea. If verified, this marks the first successful use of an unmanned surface vessel (USV) to destroy an aircraft. (Read More)​

Houthi Rebels Allegedly Down 13th U.S. MQ-9 Reaper Drone in Yemen

On December 28, 2024, Houthi forces in Yemen reportedly shot down a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone in the Al Bayda Governorate, west of Yemen. The Iranian-backed rebels released video evidence showing a missile, purportedly launched from a Soviet-era 2K12 Kub surface-to-air missile system, successfully striking the drone. (Read More)​

Russian Military Reports Widespread Defects in Chinese Electronic Warfare Systems

According to a post from a Russian military blogger, inspections of one type of jammer revealed systemic problems in both design and construction. The device’s power supply units, which were labeled to deliver 25 amps, reportedly produced only 5 amps. Cooling systems were inadequate, with gaps in the casing allowing excessive heat buildup. This issue was reportedly exacerbated by high summer temperatures in Ukraine. (Read More)​

CENTCOM Launches New Joint Strikes on Houthi Military Facilities

According to CENTCOM, U.S. Navy ships and aircraft struck a Houthi command and control facility, as well as advanced conventional weapons (ACW) production and storage sites. The facilities included missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) linked to attacks on U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. (Read More)​

Houthi Attack Risk Complicates Navy’s Calculus on Retrieving Downed Fighter Jet, Analysts Say | Stars & Stripes

The U.S. Navy is weighing recovery options for an F/A-18 Super Hornet downed over the Red Sea on Dec. 22. Salvage efforts may depend on the jet’s condition and the challenges posed by deep waters and regional threats, including Houthi drones and missiles. Analysts note that sensitive equipment onboard newer Block III versions of the aircraft, if present, could be a tempting target for adversaries. (Read More)​

Navy Information Warfare Officers Can Now Take Command at Sea | Navy Times

Information warfare officers in the U.S. Navy are now eligible for sea command. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro amended service regulations to open more command opportunities, reflecting the growing importance of information warfare (IW) in modern naval operations. Vice Adm. Mike Vernazza, commander of Naval Information Forces, called the change a pivotal evolution in recognizing IW as a core warfighting discipline. (Read More)​

Military Appeals Court Rules Against Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in 9/11 Plea Deal Dispute

A military appeals court has ruled that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin overstepped his authority in attempting to revoke plea deals for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the accused mastermind of the September 11 attacks, and two co-defendants, a U.S. official confirmed. This decision restores the validity of the agreements, which include guilty pleas in exchange for life sentences rather than the death penalty. (Read More)​

U.S. Repatriates Longest-Held Guantánamo Bay Detainee to Tunisia

he U.S. Department of Defense announced on Monday the repatriation of Ridah Bin Saleh al-Yazidi, a Tunisian national and one of the longest-held detainees at the Guantánamo Bay military prison. Yazidi, 59, had been detained at the facility since its opening on January 11, 2002. (Read More)​

U.S. Raises Concerns About Attacks on Minorities With New Syrian Government | Axios

The U.S. has voiced concerns to Syria’s transitional administration about violent attacks targeting minority groups, reportedly carried out by armed militants. In a meeting with Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, U.S. envoy Daniel Rubinstein emphasized the need to halt such reprisals, which could destabilize efforts to rebuild the war-torn nation. (Read More)​