Lockheed Martin Expands Alabama Plant to Produce New Ballistic Interceptors

Lockheed Martin has decided to significantly expand its missile assembly facility on the territory of the old World War II military Air Corps in northern Alabama. Sarah Reeves, the company's vice president for the Next Generation Interceptor project and space programs, told the publication AL.com That a large factory with an area of about 88,000 square feet is being built is about like an entire football field!

It is planned to complete the construction by the beginning of next year. This facility will assemble the latest long—range ballistic missile interceptors called the Next Generation Interceptor, which is a defensive weapon for intercepting and destroying dangerous missiles in the air before they can reach their targets.

Such an expansion is important for improving the country's defense capability, and the Cortland site itself is a convenient historical place where military aircraft used to be based. Modern missiles will now be built at this site to help protect the United States and its allies from missile threats.

Turkey has figured out how to shoot ballistics from containers — the new Roketsan system shocked at IDEF 2025

 

Turkey has just shown a trump card: at the IDEF 2025 defense exhibition in Istanbul, Roketsan introduced a system that can make military competitors' eyes go dark. Imagine: an ordinary shipping container is the same as that of trucks and ships. And inside is a ready—to-launch missile system capable of launching six Kara Atmaca (ATMACA-UM) missiles with a range of more than 400 kilometers.

Yes, yes, you heard right. This is not a launcher in the bushes or on a military base — these are missiles from a container, as if from a box. Such a "gift package" can be easily driven into a port, put on a truck, or even hidden in an urban area. And then — once! — and launch at a target that would be unsafe to poke with your finger.

The system is based on the already well-known Turkish anti-ship and land-based Kara Atmaca missile, but modified for sea containers. It is part of a new concept: stealth, mobility and surprise. The enemy doesn't know where you are, doesn't see the launcher, and when he hears the roar of the engines, it's too late.

Roketsan says it bluntly: This system allows you to strike from places that *look completely harmless*. That is, you can be standing on the beach, in an industrial zone or in a parking lot — and suddenly a ballistic missile launches from this "peaceful" container. It's not just convenient, it's psychologically overwhelming.

For Turkey, this is another step towards full independence in military technology. And for other countries, it's a reason to think: now a missile strike can come literally from nowhere.

The US Army begins mass production of Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) in Increment 1 configuration

The US Army has announced the start of mass production of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) high-precision tactical missile in the Increment 1 configuration, which marks an important stage in the modernization of the country's armed forces. This step became part of a broader strategy to strengthen combat capabilities, increase mobility and reduce costs when purchasing modern weapons.

The PrSM missile was developed as a replacement for the outdated ATACMS complexes and has an extended range of up to 500 kilometers. It is capable of hitting both stationary and mobile targets with high accuracy. The Increment 1 configuration provides for a non-nuclear warhead and guidance systems that can effectively counter modern threats on the battlefield.

Serial production has been launched as part of transformational initiatives aimed at creating a more flexible and combat-ready army. Earlier, Defense Minister Pete Gasteg announced the need for a large-scale reorganization, which includes the reduction of some units, the cancellation of a number of purchases and the redistribution of resources in favor of technologically advanced systems. The launch of the PrSM series was one of the first results of this policy.

In addition, this decision highlights the efforts of the US Army to strengthen its transition management system, including training personnel to work with new types of weapons and organizing logistical support. In this context, programs such as the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which help soldiers adapt to changes within the structure of the armed forces, play an important role.

PrSM will become a key element in the strategy of "Multi-Domain superiority" (Multi-Domain Operations), as it provides a quick and accurate impact on deep-lying targets, especially in the face of intense opposition from potential opponents.

The US Marine Corps has cancelled the long-range LRF launcher and is focusing on the NMESIS system

The US Marine Corps has decided to abandon the Long Range Fires (LRF) launcher program, based on the Mark 41 VLS single-element unit for Tomahawk missiles mounted on the ROGUE-Fires vehicle. The cancellation is due to serious concerns about the maneuverability and suitability of the system for operations in coastal and difficult conditions.

The LRF program, which started in 2023, was aimed at expanding the capabilities of Marines to launch long-range strikes against both sea and land targets. As part of the initial deployment, four LRF installations were transferred to the 11th Marine Regiment Long-range Missile Battery at Camp Pendleton, California. It was planned to deploy 56 more such systems by fiscal year 2028.

However, after a thorough assessment, it was determined that the LRF does not provide the necessary mobility and adaptability for dynamic and complex coastal operations and expeditionary conditions. In an official statement, the Corps stressed that flexibility and the ability to use effectively in harsh environments remains a priority, which the LRF does not provide.

Instead, the Marine Corps is doubling down on investments in the NMESIS (Naval Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System) program, an extended—range missile system that better meets the demands of mobility and efficiency in coastal operations. This is reflected in the budget for fiscal year 2026.

North Korean Air Force Receives Modern Air-to-Air Missiles with Active Radar Guidance

 

Fighter Fleet Revolution: North Korean Air Force receives first modern air-to-air missiles

The North Korean leadership has unveiled a new air-to-air missile. For the first time, the Korean People's Army has received air-to-air missiles with active radar guidance, which were installed on a MiG-29 squadron and launched into a test flight. The MiG-29s, which were purchased from the Soviet Union in the 1980s and subsequently produced under license domestically in the 1990s, were previously equipped only with relatively obsolete semi-active R-27 guided missiles for aerial combat beyond visual visibility. Although the Cold War-era P-27 variants were cutting-edge when they were introduced in the early 1980s, they are considered several generations behind the most effective modern missiles such as the Chinese PL-15 or the American AIM-260. North Korea's new class of air-to-air missiles appears to benefit from active radar guidance and closely resembles modern classes of missiles in service abroad, such as the PL-15. The missile class was first introduced at the National Defense Development Exhibition Self Defense 2021 in October 2021 and could potentially be integrated into the country's MiG-23ML and MiG-21bis fighters along with its MiG-29. The complexity of North Korea's surface-to-air missile classes, demonstrated by tests of systems such as Pyongae-6 provides an important indication that many of the technologies needed for the advanced class of long-range air-to-air missiles are already in mature stages.

Israel is negotiating the purchase of American JASSM missiles to enhance long-range strike

 

JASSM Cruise Missile

The Israeli Ministry of Defense is reportedly in advanced negotiations with the United States on the acquisition of cruise missiles Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) — a high-precision strategic weapon developed by the American company Lockheed Martin.  

This promising deal could significantly enhance the capabilities of the Israeli Air Force to launch long-range strikes without risking manned aircraft. JASSM, with its ultra-long range and stealth technology, is capable of hitting well-protected targets such as command centers, bunkers and deep rear facilities.

The acquisition of JASSM underscores the importance of the strategic partnership between the United States and Israel, especially in the field of military-technical cooperation. Washington has traditionally remained a key supplier of advanced military technology to Tel Aviv, which helps the latter maintain its qualitative superiority in the region.

It is expected that these missiles will be integrated into long-range bombers F-15I Ra'am, which will significantly expand their combat potential and provide the ability to quickly respond to threats from adversaries such as Iran and its allies.

In addition, Israel's interest in JASSM coincides with efforts to modernize its air force in the face of growing activity in the confrontation with Hamas, Hezbollah and other radical groups, as well as with the possible escalation of the situation in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

If the deal is approved, Israel will become one of the few countries outside NATO to gain access to this level of American strategic weapons, further strengthening military cooperation between the two states.