Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

Two B-52 bombers will head back to their manufacturer for new engines this year, kicking off a long-awaited upgrade meant to help keep flying the Stratofortress until nearly their 100th birthday.On Monday, Air Force officials announced that the Commercial Engine Replacement Program had passed a critical design review originally scheduled for 2023. That clears Boeing to begin replacing the B-52’s 1960s-era Pratt & Whitney TF33-PW-103 engines with new Rolls-Royce F130s.The first re-engined B-52s will be tested at Edwards Air Force Base, California, before the go-ahead is given for the rest of the fleet. As the 76 B-52H bombers receive their…

Savox TRICS C2Savox Communications, a global leader in mission-critical hearing protection and communication solutions, has secured a new multi-million order in Asia for approximately 8,000 units of Savox TRICS C2 communication hubs and Savox Noise-COM 100 headsets, further strengthening Savox’s position as a trusted long-term partner in the region.The continued selection of Savox solutions highlights customer confidence in Savox’s ability to deliver reliable, high-performance systems that meet the operational demands of mission-critical environments. The order reflects strong momentum in the region, supported by Savox’s responsiveness, product quality, and long-term lifecycle support.“For defence, safety and security customers, audio is non-negotiable,” says…

Australian High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) fires Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) (Credit: Australian Department of Defence) CANBERRA, 2 May 2026 – Lockheed Martin Australia welcomed the Australian Government’s decision to select the company’s capabilities for the Australian Army’s Project LAND 8113 Phase 2. Lockheed Martin Australia will supply an additional tranche of High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers equipped with Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), delivering an unmatched anti-access/area denial capability to the Australian Defence Force. “Our HIMARS-PrSM offering is the right fit for the modern war fighter and meets the Army’s requirements for capability, performance, range and offers…

This paper aims to inform artificial intelligence (AI) contingency planning under the premise that preserving strategic optionality for future U.S.-China engagement serves U.S. interests. Although current geopolitical competition, deep mutual distrust, and the strategic stakes involved might make bilateral AI cooperation neither feasible nor sensible in the near term, this analysis examines what frameworks and mechanisms would be required if circumstances changed. The author describes five lines of effort grounded in national interests that could foster a stable, predictable international environment for AI development and deployment. Understanding how cooperation could work — even if it proves unnecessary or unattainable —…

Thinking Global Podcast – Thinking Borders: Vicki Squire – E-International Relations Thinking Global This week, Thinking Borders, hosted by Marianna Karakoulaki, returns with an interview with Professor Vicki Squire. In this episode, Marianna and Professor Squire discuss migration, borders, normalisation of death, the ethical responsibilities of scholars, activism, her most recent book Making and Unmaking Global Citizenship, published by Edinburgh University Press and more. Professor Vicki Squire is Professor of International Relations at the University of Warwick. Her work cuts across the fields of migration, citizenship, humanitarian and border studies with a focus on policies and practices…

Sean O’Malley is excited to be fighting at UFC White House, but Aiemann Zahabi wasn’t his first option.Coming off of a much-needed win over Song Yadong this past January, O’Malley kept himself in the thick of the bantamweight title picture, especially with rival Merab Dvalishvilli—who holds two wins over O’Malley—having recently dropped the belt to Petr Yan. For O’Malley, who beat Yan in a close fight at UFC 280, it made sense for the two of them to rematch with a championship on the line, but O’Malley was instead called upon to face Zahabi on June 14, while Yan remains…

The TWZ Newsletter Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy. It’s hard for me to comprehend that it’s really been a decade. TWZ went live 10 years ago today. Nearly 11,000 articles later, we are still here and growing faster than ever. Check out the press release here. While the site has evolved immensely over the years, our mission remains the exact same: to provide uniquely deep insights into the world of military technology and strategy, while tying those perceptions into the broader foreign policy context when applicable. It is our laser…

In the picture (left to right): Cameron Wood, Program Manager, CAE; San Nagan, Director of Customer and Operational Services, CAE; Commodore Mitchell Livingstone CSC, Commodore Training, RAN; Captain Warren Bechly, Commanding Officer HMAS Watson, RAN.CAE announced it has been awarded a five‑year Training Systems Technical Support (TSTS) contract with the Commonwealth of Australia to deliver the technical sustainment of critical Naval Warfare Training systems, as well as provide engineering expertise to support training requirements and systems.The agreement ensures current training systems for Royal Australian Navy (RAN) surface vessels – including bridge simulators and combat centres – are available and integrated…

Article by Will Newhall, 4th Dan Black Belt and Master Instructor If you aren’t aware, the blog owner recently made a post talking about how she is stepping away from doing taekwondo. As a fellow taekwondo martial artist I will say… I commend her courage, integrity, and self-respect in making this significant decision! I read her post on the topic and wanted to write about my own experience with black belt burn out as well. While I am currently practicing, teaching, and writing, I too felt burn out. A couple of times actually! I thought I might throw my hat…

Maersk said the Alliance Fairfax, a U.S.-flagged vehicle carrier operated by its Farrell Lines subsidiary, exited the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz accompanied by U.S. military assets on Monday.American forces are actively assisting efforts to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command said on the social media site X on Monday.Some 20% of the world’s oil passed through that vital maritime chokepoint prior to its virtual closure following the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran.RELATED“As a first step, 2 U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said Monday on X,…