More from Ryan Robertson
-
US Army unveils new laser-armed Stryker vehicle to combat drone warfare
The Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Directed Energy Stryker, an updated version of the Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicle, was unveiled at AUSA 2024. Developed by Leonardo DRS and BlueHalo, the system combines advanced weapons with rapid deployment capabilities, offering a new approach to the U.S. Army’s defense against unmanned aerial systems. The vehicle features high-tech weapons,… -
Amid safety obstacles, the V-22 Osprey program sees progress
Since March 2022, the V-22 Osprey program has experienced four crashes, resulting in the loss of 20 American service members. The most recent incident occurred last November, when a crew of eight Air Force airmen died in a V-22 crash off the coast of Japan. This crash, along with previous ones, prompted a service-wide stand-down… -
The V-22 Osprey’s return to service: Weapons and Warfare
This week, Weapons and Warfare has an update on one of the Department of Defense’s most controversial aircraft: the V-22 Osprey. Host Ryan Robertson connected with the new boss of Air Force Special Operations Command, Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, for a progress report on how soon the tiltrotor transport might return to full operational status.… -
Lockheed Martin unveils extreme-range missile: Weapon of the week
Lockheed Martin recently took a gamble on a project with no confirmed buyers, borrowing a page from the Andurils of the defense contract world. This gamble led to the creation of the AGM-158-XR, the latest evolution in the AGM line of extreme-range missiles. Jon Hill, vice president and general manager for Air Dominance and Strike… -
Hamas leader Sinwar calls for group to revive suicide bombing campaign
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is calling for the revival of suicide bombings, a tactic the group largely abandoned nearly 20 years ago. According to Arab intelligence officials, Sinwar issued this directive to a senior operative, marking a shift toward more extreme methods amid the ongoing conflict with Israel. Sinwar’s call comes at a time when… -
Investigation finds gaps in SEAL training after tragic drownings
Two U.S. Navy SEALs, Chief Special Warfare Operator Christopher J. Chambers and Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nathan Gage Ingram, drowned in January 2024 during a mission to intercept a ship carrying Iranian-made weapons to Yemen. A military investigation determined that their deaths could have been prevented, citing gaps in SEAL training and improper… -
US Navy fast-attack submarine surfaces near Japan, China
The USS Seawolf is one of the most advanced hunter-killer submarines in the water, and there has been a rare sighting of it in Japan. On Oct. 4, the nuclear-powered submarine surfaced in the waters near Yokosuka, a city located at the mouth of Tokyo Bay —basically in China’s backyard. Images were taken by a… -
Ukraine’s drones strike a devastating blow to Russia’s Iranian-made weapons
Ukraine launched a series of drone strikes targeting key Russian ammunition depots, including a warehouse in Bryansk and a facility containing 400 Iranian-made Shahed drones, according to Ukraine’s military. The Shahed drones, a key weapon in Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian cities, account for nearly 5% of those deployed since the war began. The strikes are… -
September marks highest casualties for Russian military since invasion
Russian forces suffered an average of 1,271 soldiers killed or wounded each day, surpassing the previous high of 1,262 daily casualties recorded in May 2024. The U.K.’s Ministry of Defence attributed the rise to intensified fighting in the Kharkiv and Kursk regions and along the front lines. “The increase in the casualty rate since May… -
Russian ‘floating bomb’ remains anchored off UK coast
A Russian cargo ship carrying over 1,000 tons of ammonium nitrate remains stranded just off the coast of Kent in southeast England, after being denied entry to several European ports. Authorities are monitoring the ship, dubbed a “floating bomb” by experts, as it continues to pose a potential threat due to the volatile nature of… -
Understanding the complex US-China relationship
The United States and China share a relationship that can be described as “complicated.” Their economies are deeply intertwined and interdependent. According to a Government Accountability Office report, nearly a third of foreign students and scholars in the U.S. are from China, with some involved in developing defense-related technologies. At first glance, the two countries… -
Addressing the China Problem: Weapons and Warfare
This week on Weapons and Warfare, the team is taking a look at the China problem. Host Ryan Robertson breaks down some key thoughts from three of America’s most informed voices, discussing the challenges China poses to the U.S. military. The experts address strategic, technological, and operational issues, highlighting the implications for national security and… -
Is BlueHalo’s VigilantHalo a C2 game changer?: Weapon of the week
“Command and control” is a buzz term frequently heard at military conferences. For troops in the field, having a centralized piece of equipment that can perform a multitude of tasks is crucial. Enter BlueHalo’s latest innovation, VigilantHalo. The first thing one would notice about VigilantHalo is its impressive appearance. However, beyond its sleek design lies…