China accelerates serial production of J-35 fighter jets: CCTV 13 showed footage from the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation factory

J-35 in the background of the frame

On July 8, 2025, China's state television channel CCTV 13 broadcast a program dedicated to aviation, presenting footage from the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation production facility, which captured several fifth-generation J-35 fighters in advanced assembly stages. These shots were an important confirmation that the J-35 has moved beyond the prototype stage and has begun mass production.

The video showed at least five or six J-35 airframes at various stages of configuration. Some of the aircraft had identifiers such as "040070", which indicates that they belong to the fourth production batch and indicate the transition of the project from an experimental to a full-fledged production stage. This aroused considerable interest from military experts and analysts, as there had previously been doubts about the pace of development and scale of production of this promising multi-role fighter.

The J-35 fighter jet, also known as FC-31 outside China, is positioned as a competitor to Lockheed Martin's F-35 and is designed for use on both ground bases and aircraft carriers. The program also demonstrated elements of its integration with new electronic warfare systems, AESA radars and new generation weapons.

These events are taking place against the backdrop of the active modernization course of the Chinese Air Force and Navy, including the development of the aircraft carrier fleet and the creation of new generation strike groups. It is assumed that the J-35 will be paired with the heavy fighter J-20 as part of the concept of network-centric warfare and air superiority.

Thus, the publication of such materials on the official state channel is a signal of both internal confidence in the project and an external demonstration effect in the context of increasing geopolitical tension in the Asia-Pacific region.

Japan demonstrates a prototype rail cannon on a test warship — a step forward in the development of the railgun

The new photos show a prototype rail gun mounted on a test surface combat vessel of the Japanese Navy. This turret installation represents an important milestone in the development of Japanese railgun technology, an electromagnetic weapon that fires projectiles with tremendous speed and range.

Japan's railgun project is moving much further than similar developments by the US Navy, which were postponed many years ago due to technical and financial difficulties. The Japanese prototype demonstrates progress in integrating the railgun onto a marine platform, which can significantly increase the firepower and range of naval weapons.

Railguns have a number of advantages over traditional artillery systems: high projectile velocity, no need for chemical powder, long firing range, and the ability to use relatively cheap projectiles. This makes them a promising weapon for modern naval forces.

Testing of the prototype will make it possible to evaluate the technical characteristics, reliability and combat capabilities of the rail gun, as well as determine the possibilities of its further implementation on Japanese warships.

Chengdu's new tailless stealth combat aircraft with side-by-side crew seats

 

Chengdu

A recent photo of a prototype of a new tailless stealth combat aircraft being developed by Chengdu has attracted the attention of experts and aviation analysts. The picture clearly shows that there are two crew seats in the cockpit, located side by side. This configuration is unusual for modern fighters and indicates the special mission and purpose of this machine.

The two-seat cockpit layout suggests that the aircraft is being developed as a long-range fighter-bomber capable of performing complex tasks requiring the joint work of a pilot and an operator of weapons or control systems. The tailless aerodynamic design probably provides improved maneuverability and reduces visibility in the radar range, which is typical for stealth aircraft.

This project reflects China's desire to develop modern multifunctional combat platforms capable of competing with advanced counterparts in the world. Long-range fighter-bombers with a high degree of stealth play a key role in modern air operations, providing both strike capabilities and air superiority.

In the coming years, additional information is expected about the technical characteristics and capabilities of this aircraft, which can significantly strengthen the Chinese air force and change the balance of power in the region.

Advanced modular Shelter kit for the US Army to protect against growing UAV threats

Testing of modular protection against drones

The US Army is developing an advanced set of modular shelters to protect against the growing threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These upgraded modular top-coated protection systems are designed to provide an important and cost-effective level of protection at bases in various locations.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) said it has developed improvements to a family of modular, rapidly deployable defensive structures to enhance their ability to withstand drone attacks.

Currently, USACE is collaborating with Alaska Structures, Inc. to create a prototype modular shelter with improved UAV protection features. The upgraded shelter system will protect personnel, equipment and equipment from various threats, including drone attacks, and provide a safer environment at forward operating bases.

South Korea unveils new supercavitation torpedo at MADEX 2025

The South Korean Defense Development Agency (ADD) demonstrated a new supercavitation torpedo at the MADEX 2025 international exhibition, which has a unique shape and design compared to previous ADD models.

The goal of the development is to create an ultra—high-speed torpedo capable of significantly surpassing traditional analogues in terms of speed and efficiency. Supercavitation technology allows the torpedo to move underwater, surrounded by a gas shell, which dramatically reduces drag and provides a speed 3-4 times higher than conventional torpedoes. This makes it an extremely dangerous weapon, capable of neutralizing evading ships and enemy counteraction systems.

The torpedo is being developed with the possibility of integration into large autonomous underwater vehicles (XLUUV) under development by the South Korean Navy, which will expand the tactical capabilities of the fleet in naval operations.

It is designed to carry out ship-to-ship operations by integrating it into various large underwater unmanned underwater vehicles (UAVs) that are currently being developed in Korea.

Prototype tests, which began about five years ago, have shown the high efficiency and prospects of the project. A full-size mock-up of the torpedo was presented at MADEX 2025, which aroused great interest from specialists and experts.

Northrop Grumman and Colt unveil prototype of new 25 mm precision grenade launcher

Grenade launcher from Northrop Grumman and Colt

Northrop Grumman Corporation, in collaboration with the renowned weapons manufacturer Colt, has unveiled a promising new 25 mm high-precision grenade launcher designed to increase infantry firepower. For the first time, a working prototype was shown in action in a short video released by the company.

The video footage shows a soldier firing a compact and light weapon designed for 25x59 mm high-precision ammunition. According to experts, the new system combines the ability to hit targets at a considerable distance, high efficiency against armored objects and the ability to integrate into modern fire control systems.

It is expected that this grenade launcher will become part of a broader program to modernize the weapons of U.S. infantry units, including use as part of the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) programs. and other promising projects for equipping motorized infantry units.

Unlike traditional automatic grenade launchers, this 25 mm version has improved accuracy due to the use of smart shots with programmable explosive heads, as well as reduced recoil, which makes it suitable for use by a single fighter or as part of an infantry fighting vehicle crew.

This demonstration was an important stage in the development of advanced small arms and may indicate the beginning of the transition from prototypes to actual deployment in the military.

Turkey is taking a step towards creating a fifth-generation fighter: the second prototype of the KAAN is under construction

KAAN

Company Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) announced the start of construction of the second prototype of the promising fifth-generation fighter KAAN, which marks an important stage in the implementation of the program to create a national stealth aircraft. This was announced by the CEO of TAI Mehmet Demiroglu, stressing that the new prototype will differ from the first by a number of significant changes in the airframe design.

In particular, the shape of the air intakes will be modified and structural improvements will be introduced aimed at improving aerodynamic performance and reducing radar visibility. These changes are the result of an analysis of the data obtained during the tests of the first prototype.

The second prototype is expected to be fully assembled  by the end of 2025, which will be an important step towards completing flight tests and subsequent mass production. The success of the program will allow Turkey to take its place among a limited number of countries with their own fifth-generation fighter jets.

The creation of KAAN is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country's defense capabilities through the development of the local aviation industry. As part of this strategy, TAI already has experience in the development and manufacture of unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters.

The implementation of the KAAN project also opens up export opportunities, as TAI seeks to offer a new platform to countries interested in acquiring independent airpower solutions.

A New Stage in the Development of a Mixed Reality System for the US Army

The US Army has announced a new schedule for a competition to design and prototype a new version of a problematic mixed reality display. The project, known as Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), is now called Soldier Borne Mission Command and is attracting industry attention with its ambitious plans.

Preliminary Roadmap Of The Competition

On Monday, the preliminary roadmap of the competition was published, which defines the key milestones and deadlines for interested companies. The US Army is seeking to speed up the competition process and is once again using the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) path to do this. This approach makes it possible to conclude contracts more flexibly and quickly, bypassing bureaucratic obstacles.

Key Stages Of The Competition

1. Submission of Official Documents: Companies wishing to participate in the competition must submit their official documents by mid-May. This includes technical specifications and project implementation proposals.

2. Equipment Demonstration: At the end of May, interested companies will demonstrate their equipment. This stage will allow the army to evaluate the technical capabilities and innovative solutions proposed by the participants.

3. Request for Proposals: Based on feedback and the results of the demonstration, the Army plans to officially publish a request for proposals for prototypes in mid-June. This step will be crucial for determining the finalists of the competition.

4. Contract Award: By the end of August, the US Army plans to conclude at least one OTA contract with a company that will develop and prototype a new version of IVAS.

Expectations and Prospects

The new version of IVAS, or Soldier Born Mission Command, should solve the problems faced by the previous version of the system. Key expectations include improved image quality, increased reliability and usability, as well as integration with other combat management systems.

The US Army is making significant strides forward in developing mixed reality systems for its soldiers. The new IVAS prototype competition opens up opportunities for innovation and technological progress. It is expected that the selected company will be able to offer solutions that will significantly improve the combat capabilities and effectiveness of troops. The future of IVAS looks promising, and we are looking forward to the results of the competition.