Tech & Tactics

News, explainers, and analysis about military tech and tactics.

Latest in Tech & Tactics

Amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) steams through the Pacific Ocean, April 8, 2026. John P. Murtha is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations supporting NASA’s Artemis II mission, retrieving the crew and spacecraft following their return to Earth and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. NASA’s Artemis II mission sent four astronauts on a flight around the moon in the Orion space capsule, marking the first time humans journeyed to deep space in over 50 years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Melseth)

Amphibious Operations

The Marines may need 40 amphibious warfare ships, general says

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 29, 2026

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Taylor Britain, an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team leader with the 74th EOD Company, conducts pre-flight checks for the 25th Infantry Division Kestrel First-Person View (FPV) drone during a First-Person View (FPV) drone live-fire exercise at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Oct. 17, 2025. Britain developed the firing system, including a mechanical and electronic safety feature on the Kestrel FPV drone. The United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) will conduct Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) Rotation 26-01 from Oct. 28 to Nov. 16, 2025, in and around the Hawaiian island chain. This exercise is designed to validate the combat readiness of the 3rd Mobile Brigade (3MBDE), 25th Infantry Division Artillery (DIVARTY), and the 125th Division Signal Battalion in a joint, multinational, multi-domain training environment. JPMRC 26-01 will integrate U.S. forces, multinational partners, and joint capabilities to train tactics, techniques, and procedures required to dominate jungle and archipelagic terrain during large-scale combat operations. The exercise underscores the U.S. Army’s commitment to ensuring regional security and strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Duke Edwards)

Pentagon’s drone strategy calls for putting $54 billion DAWG in the fight

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 27, 2026

Green Beret's assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) conduct security for a routine training exercise in which 1st SFG (A) teams train in simulated real-world combat scenarios at Okinawa, Japan, March 21, 2026. 1st SFG (A) conducts special operations throughout the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command areas of responsibility, in order to support command objectives and U.S. national interests. The group maintains and employs units of action to execute the full spectrum of special operations at a moment's notice with allies, partners, and the joint force. Committed to excellence and pursuit of tactical mastery, the group aims to uphold the legacy as the Indo-Pacific’s preferred, and most lethal special operations entity. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Javen Owens)

Special Operations Command lays out high-tech wish list

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 26, 2026

A U.S Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 225, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Tsushima Strait, Sept. 18, 2024.

Fighter Aircraft

How the F-35 is changing Marine airpower

Posted on Apr 23, 2026

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 25th Infantry Division Artillery, work with Philippine Army partners to sling load a Philippine Army M101 howitzer to a CH-47 Chinook during an air assault operation as part of Exercise Salaknib 2026 at Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, April 7, 2026. The training enhances the rapid deployment of artillery assets, increasing the combined readiness of the U.S.-Philippine Alliance. Salaknib is an annual exercise designed to enhance combat readiness and strengthen the U.S.-Philippine Alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Taylor Gray)

Army Chinook makes first landing without a pilot

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 23, 2026

An HH-60W Jolly Green II hoists a simulated survivor during an aerial demonstration for Saluting Our Aviation Roots, Feb. 25, 2026, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The demonstration highlighted combat search and rescue capabilities for students and families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Bre Lewis)

Air Force wants to use lasers to help protect rescue helicopters after Iran mission

By Kyle Rempfer

Posted on Apr 22, 2026

A prototype of the new M1E3 Abrams tank was revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan in January.

1st Cavalry Division soldiers will get the Army’s newest tank and infantry combat vehicle first

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Apr 21, 2026

U.S. Air Force Capt. Josiah Bierle, 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilot, awaits takeoff in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 30, 2025. Stationing A-10s in the CENTCOM AOR reinforces U.S. commitment to regional stability and strengthens deterrence against potential threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonah Bliss)

Fighter Aircraft

Air Force can’t quit the A-10 Warthog, extends service into 2030

By Nicholas Slayton, Matt White

Posted on Apr 20, 2026

A Hunter Wolf unmanned ground vehicle assigned to Charlie Battery, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), holds a steady overwatch position with a mounted remote operated .50-caliber machine gun during a combat simulation exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana, April 13, 2026.. The Hunter Wolf platform has been selected by the U.S. Army for the Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (S-MET) program. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Anthony Hewitt)

The Army wants an unmanned ground vehicle to evacuate wounded and resupply the front line

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 19, 2026

C-130 aircraft from the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand prepare for takeoff on the runway at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on July 21, 2025. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tyler McQuiston.

Is the US military’s most important island in the Pacific ready for war?

Posted on Apr 16, 2026

Marines on way to Middle East seen using rifles with anti-drone smart scope

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 14, 2026

U.S. Army Private First Class Ajryan Scales , assigned to XVIII Airborne Corps Signal Detachment, trains and familiarizes with the 5.56mm L-variant Drone Round to defeat small unmanned aerial systems at Oak Grove Training Center, N.C., April 9, 2026. The training offered units the chance to build proficiency and familiarize Soldiers with techniques to engage and defeat sUAS while rapidly advancing operational capabilities. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Alexis Fischer)

Soldiers with the XVIII Airborne Corps are training with anti-drone rounds

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 14, 2026

Members of the 163d Attack Wing pilot an MQ-9 Reaper taxing down the runway after returning home from a milestone mission to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, February 15th, 2024. The mission marked the first ever MQ-9 to grace the runway at Shaw AFB. This one of many examples of how the 163d ATKW is pushing innovation and the MQ-9 platform to new heights.

The Iran war took a toll on the Air Force’s Reaper fleet

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Apr 13, 2026

Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron prepare to conduct combat search-and-rescue from an MH-6M Little Bird that was offloaded from a MC-130J Commando II during Exercise Agile Chariot near Riverton, Wyoming, May 2, 2023. Agile Chariot tested Agile Combat Employment capabilities, including using smaller, more dispersed locations and teams to rapidly move and support aircraft, pilots and other personnel wherever they’re needed. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

A 2023 special ops exercise in Wyoming was a preview of the Iran rescue mission

Posted on Apr 10, 2026

A maintenance crew comprised of AH-64 Attack Helicopter Repairers assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment "Sabers", 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, rebuild a rotor head after a static mass repair on a AH-64 Apache Helicopter at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii from February 2-25, 2026. This repair took place during aerial gunnery. For AH-64 Apache crews, aerial gunnery is a semi-annual requirement necessary to maintain proficiency of aircrews, and allows the unit to build a more reliable combat power. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Olivia Cowart)

Right to repair: Why the US military can’t fix much of its own equipment

Posted on Apr 3, 2026

Marine Expeditionary Unit

Amphibious Operations

Here’s what Marine Expeditionary Units are designed to do

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 1, 2026