Future Warfare Magazine: " MDM 2026: Marines discuss short-term goals of UGV technology, Forterra & AM General unveil prototypes "

 

 

" MDM 2026: Marines discuss short-term goals of UGV technology, Forterra & AM General unveil prototypes"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Future Warfare Magazine

6 May 2026

Published: https://www.fw-mag.com/shownews/1061/mdm-2026-marines-discuss-short-term-goals-of-ugv-technology-forterra-amp-am-general-unveil-prototypes  

Keep autonomy technology simple and focus on logistics: that was the overall message at the Autonomy/ Collaborative Autonomy/ Autonomy Afloat panel at the recently concluded Modern Day Marine (MDM) expo in Washington, DC. The speaker, US Marine Colonel Kenneth Jones, Division Director for Science & Technology at the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL), specifically referred to uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) and how industry should start by focusing on logistics and then evolve the technology.

Shephard: "HHI poised to start submarine production in Peru pending election outcome"

 

 

"HHI poised to start submarine production in Peru pending election outcome"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Naval Warfare

Shephard

6 May, 2026

Published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/hhi-poised-start-submarine-production-peru-election-outcome/ 

South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries confirmed to Shephard that the company is awaiting the Peruvian government’s decision to allow it to move forward with the production of the HDS-1500 submarine. 

 

Future Warfare: " SAS 2026: New technologies to support the fleet "

 

 

" SAS 2026: New technologies to support the fleet "

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Future Warfare

28 April  2026

Published: https://www.fw-mag.com/shownews/1044/sas-2026-new-technologies-to-support-the-fleet 

 

The development of major naval technologies, such as warships and submarines, tends to dominate the news cycle. However, niche technologies are just as important for helping the fleet operate effectively. FW MAG spoke with several defense companies prior to and during the recent Sea Air Space (SAS) summit outside Washington, DC, about new systems and contracts for high-tech technology to support the US Navy. 

Warsight: "US SOUTHCOM establishes Autonomous Warfare Command"

 

 

 "US SOUTHCOM establishes Autonomous Warfare Command"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Warsight

29 April, 2026

Published: https://warsight.com/2026/04/29/southcom-autonomous-warfare-command-est/

On 21 April 2026, US Southern Command announced the creation of its Autonomous Warfare Command (SAWC), a new entity tasked with deploying unmanned and autonomous systems across Latin America and the Caribbean. The move signals a deliberate shift in how the Pentagon plans to develop, test and deploy autonomous systems across Latin America and the Caribbean.

 

Future Warfare: " MDM 2026: Teledyne FLIR Defense and Emesent team up "

 

" MDM 2026: Teledyne FLIR Defense and Emesent team up "

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Future Warfare Magazine

29 April 2026

Published: https://www.fw-mag.com/shownews/1047/mdm-2026-teledyne-flir-defense-and-emesent-team-up

 

Teledyne FLIR Defense and Emesent are unveiling a new integrated uncrewed solution at the Modern Day Marine 2026 (MDM) expo in Washington, DC, for troops to safely inspect contested and sensitive locations, even in GPS-denied environments. FW MAG spoke with Stefan Hrabar, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Emesent, and Chris Brown, Director of Strategic Initiatives for Teledyne FLIR Defense Unmanned Systems-North America, about what this partnership means and why the US Marines Corps and other services should be interested in it.

At its core, the integrated solution entails installing Emesent’s Hovermap LiDAR Payload on Teledyne FLIR’s SKYRANGER R70 or R80D SKYRAIDER uncrewed aerial systems (UASs), the SUGV 325 small uncrewed ground vehicle, or radiation detection platforms like the MUVE R430. Hovermap is designed for recording and 3D mapping in GPS-denied locations, such as tunnels, urban structures, or areas contaminated with chemical, biological, radioactive, or nuclear (CBRN) materials. Hovermap uses the LiDAR-based Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) software.

 

Future Warfare: " SAS 2026: Partnerships announced to develop Uncrewed Maritime Systems "

  

" SAS 2026: Partnerships announced to develop Uncrewed Maritime Systems "

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Future Warfare Magazine

27 April, 2026

Published: https://www.fw-mag.com/shownews/1039/sas-2026-partnerships-announced-to-develop-uncrewed-maritime-systems 

Two major defense partnerships to develop uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) were announced during the recently concluded Sea Air Space expo, held at the National Harbor outside of Washington, DC. Hanwha USA will team up with Magnet Defense, while Anduril is teaming up with Kraken, HD Hyundai, and Edison Chouest Offshore.

The first announcement came from Hanwha Defense USA and Magnet Defense. The two companies will team up to manufacture an 11.5 m (38-foot) medium uncrewed surface vessel (MUSV).

 

The National Interest: "Why Azerbaijan and Iran Stepped Away from Confrontation"

 

 

"Why Azerbaijan and Iran Stepped Away from Confrontation"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Silk Road Rivalries

The National Interest

25 April, 2026

Published: https://nationalinterest.org/blog/silk-road-rivalries/why-azerbaijan-and-iran-stepped-away-from-confrontation 

 

The presence of a large Azerbaijani community in Iran may have defused tensions between Baku and Tehran.

Whatever the future of the current war and Iran will be, the country’s neighbors will have to deal with the consequences and aftermath of this new conflict. One country that has a complex relationship with the Islamic Republic is the Republic of Azerbaijan.

When the war commenced, several analyses expressed concern that the conflict would spill over into the Caucasus and affect the already fragile relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. So far, this has not occurred as both Yerevan and Baku want to remain neutral.

Breaking Defense: " Lockheed limbo in Lima? Firm says Peru is buying F-16s, but questions remain "

 

"Lockheed limbo in Lima? Firm says Peru is buying F-16s, but questions remain"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Breaking Defense

24 April, 2026

Published: https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/schrodingers-f-16s-lockheed-says-peru-is-buying-fighters-questions-remain-in-lima/

Peru's interim president indicated the deal was on hold, as the US Embassy in Lima insists at least part of it has already been signed.

WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin has claimed victory in a longstanding competition to sell fighter jets to Peru, though senior officials in Lima appear to be at odds with each other over the fate of the deal.

Lockheed “welcomes the Government of Peru’s announcement to purchase 12 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft to modernize the nation’s fighter fleet and strengthen its national defense capabilities,” the American aerospace giant said in a press release on Thursday.

 

Future Warfare Magazine: " SAS 2026: BlackSea Tech unveils new COMET USV "

  

" SAS 2026: BlackSea Tech unveils new COMET USV "

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Future Warfare Magazine

24 April, 2026

Published: https://www.fw-mag.com/shownews/1035/sas-2026-blacksea-tech-unveils-new-comet-usv 

 

At the Sea Air Space expo in Washington, D.C., BlackSea Technologies unveiled its new COMET Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV). Additionally, the company showcased Gen II of its Global Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) called the CHASER, a small USV (sUSV). BlackSea spokesperson Jason Salata spoke with FW MAG at SAS about how modularity makes both systems ideal for a variety of missions, as many of their systems are already field- and combat-tested.

COMET is a large USV with multiple capabilities. The USV is 13.1 meters (43 feet) long, with a max speed of over 45 knots and the capability to carry 4,535 kg (10,000 pounds) in payload. At SAS, the platform displayed had two HELLFIRE missiles, two M-9X SIDEWINDER missiles, a Leonardo DRS RADA radar system, and even a second payload bay for a gun system. “The missile capability makes COMET ideal for air defense missions,” Salata told FW MAG.

 

CSIS: "Beyond Venezuela and Cuba: The U.S. Military’s Future Operations in the Western Hemisphere "

 

 "Beyond Venezuela and Cuba: The U.S. Military’s Future Operations in the Western Hemisphere"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Americas Program

Center for Strategic and International Studies

23 April, 2026

Published: https://www.csis.org/analysis/beyond-venezuela-and-cuba-us-militarys-future-operations-western-hemisphere 

After Operation Absolute Resolve, which resulted in the extraction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the White House is increasing pressure on Cuba for some type of political change. Whether the U.S. military will also be deployed in some capacity to the Caribbean island remains to be seen; much will depend on a potential renewed conflict with Iran.

While these three hotspots continue to make headlines, the U.S. military is also expanding its presence across Latin America and the Caribbean. Combating drug-trafficking will continue to be a priority for Washington, and the U.S. military will be heavily involved in this mission.

 

Future Warfare Magazine: " SAS 2026: MARTAC announces upcoming USV delivery to the Philippines, new projects "

 

 

" SAS 2026: MARTAC announces upcoming USV delivery to the Philippines, new projects "

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Future Warfare Magazine

23 April, 2024

Published: https://www.fw-mag.com/shownews/1032/sas-2026-martac-announces-upcoming-usv-delivery-to-the-philippines-new-projects 

At the Sea Air Space expo at the National Harbor, outside of Washington, DC, FW MAG spoke with Seamus Flatley, Chief Growth Officer at the Florida-based MARTAC Systems. The company discussed with FW Mag its upcoming deliveries and projects to expand its family of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for new missions.

The company delivered one DEVIL RAY T-38 and four T-12 USVs to the Philippine Navy in July of 2024. Two additional T-38s will be delivered in May of this year, MARTAC confirmed exclusively to FW MAG. Flatley added that his company has “ongoing discussions about future opportunities with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.” The T-38s are equipped with the launch-and-recovery system manufactured by the Israeli company Sealartec.

 

Quoted in azattyqasia " «Мы теряем крупнейший внутренний водоём в мире». Что происходит с Каспием и можно ли остановить обмеление?" / ""We Are Losing the World's Largest Inland Body of Water." What Is Happening to the Caspian—and Can Its Shrinking Be Stopped?"

 

 "«Мы теряем крупнейший внутренний водоём в мире». Что происходит с Каспием и можно ли остановить обмеление?/  ""We Are Losing the World's Largest Inland Body of Water." What Is Happening to the Caspian—and Can Its Shrinking Be Stopped?"

 By Khadisha Akayeva

 For Azattyq Asia

21April, 2026

Published: https://www.azattyqasia.org/a/my-teryaem-krupneyshiy-vnutrenniy-vodoyom-v-mire-chto-proishodit-s-kaspiem-i-mozhno-li-ostanovit-obmelenie/33736363.html 

 

Уайлдер Алехандро Санчес, президент консалтинговой компании Second Floor Strategies в Вашингтоне, рассказывает, что 15 апреля присутствовал на закрытом круглом столе Atlantic Council в Вашингтоне, куда была приглашена высокопоставленная казахстанская правительственная делегация. По его словам, несколько участников делегации подтвердили участие в саммите лидеров пяти стран Центральной Азии, руководства Монголии и Армении, а также премьер-министра Азербайджана. 

 

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez, President of the Washington-based consulting firm Second Floor Strategies, reports that on April 15, he attended a closed-door roundtable hosted by the Atlantic Council in Washington, to which a high-ranking Kazakhstani government delegation had been invited. According to him, several members of the delegation confirmed the participation of the leaders of the five Central Asian nations, the leadership of Mongolia and Armenia, as well as the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, in the summit.

 

 

 

Future Warfare: " SAS 2026: LEONIDAS HPM C-UxS system has successful tests "

 

 

" SAS 2026: LEONIDAS HPM C-UxS system has successful tests "

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Future Warfare

22 April 2026

Published:  https://www.fw-mag.com/shownews/1030/sas-2026-leonidas-hpm-c-uxs-system-has-successful-tests

Epirus, the producer of LEONIDAS, a high-power microwave (HPM) counter-uncrewed system (C-UxS) platform, is advancing across multiple fronts in 2026. Besides integrating its LEONIDAS HPM system with GDLS & Kodiak AI and seeking to break into the Latin America market, the company is also working on a maritime version: enter LEONIDAS H2O. 

Future Warfare Magazine: " SAS 2026: Saildrone unveils new SPECTRE USV "

 

" SAS 2026: Saildrone unveils new SPECTRE USV "

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Future Warfare Magazine

21 April, 2026

Published: https://www.fw-mag.com/shownews/1026/sas-2026-saildrone-unveils-new-spectre-usv 

At the Sea Air Space (SAS) expo outside Washington, DC, Saildrone unveiled the design of its brand-new SPECTRE uncrewed surface vessel (USV). FW MAG attended a media briefing with Saildrone at SAS on Monday, 20 April, to learn more about SPECTRE. 

Future Warfare Magazine: " SAS 2026: Airbus successfully tests H145 autonomous helicopter "

  

" SAS 2026: Airbus successfully tests H145 autonomous helicopter "

 Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Future Warfare Magazine

20 April 2026

Published: https://www.fw-mag.com/shownews/1020/sas-2026-airbus-successfully-tests-h145-autonomous-helicopter 

Airbus US Space and Defense announced on 15 April the fourth autonomous flight test of an H145 helicopter. Prior to the Sea Air Space expo, which will take place at the National Harbor, close to Washington, DC, on 20-22 April, FW MAG spoke with Carl Forsling, Senior Director for Strategy and Business Development at Airbus, about this new test and how the company’s autonomous rotary-wing aircraft can assist the US armed forces, particularly the Marines.

The Diplomat: " Setting Realistic Expectations for Kazakhstan’s Regional Ecological Summit "

 

 

"Setting Realistic Expectations for Kazakhstan’s Regional Ecological Summi"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Crossroads Asia

The Diplomat

20 April, 2026

Published: https://thediplomat.com/2026/04/setting-realistic-expectations-for-kazakhstans-regional-ecological-summit/ 

The Regional Ecological Summit could kickstart a wider climate activism campaign in the greater Central Asian region, or it could just be a short-term, pro-green mirage.

Global Encyclodia of Territorial Rights: "Moldova / #Transnistria “ #FrozenConflict” and Russia's Invasion of Ukraine "

"Moldova/Transnistria “Frozen Conflict” and Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Global Encyclopedia of Territorial Rights

(Springer Nature) 

 14 April, 2026

Published: https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-3-319-68846-6_868-1

▶️ While initiatives to resolve the “frozen conflict” have not been successful, developments across the region have put this conflict at the forefront of European geopolitics.

▶️ Specifically, the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine has made Moldova and separatist Transnistria (which borders Ukraine) the recipients of a new wave of international attention.

▶️ Ultimately, the relationship between Chisinau and Tiraspol has not changed, or at least improved, since the war commenced, though the 2025 gas crisis has changed the power-dynamics between the two sides, on Chisinau’s favor.

▶️ Communication between the two sides of the Dniester River continues, but it is unlikely that any breakthrough in negotiations will occur at this time.

Zona Militar: "Contra-UAV: Epirus entabla contactos con Colombia y también trabaja con GDLS y Kodiak AI en el Leonidas AGV" / "

 

 "Contra-UAV: Epirus entabla contactos con Colombia y también trabaja con GDLS y Kodiak AI en el Leonidas AGV"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Zona Militar

11 de Abril, 2026

Publicado: https://www.zona-militar.com/2026/04/11/contra-uav-epirus-entabla-contactos-con-colombia-y-tambien-trabaja-con-gdls-y-kodiak-ai-en-el-leonidas-agv/ 

 Tres importantes empresas de defensa, Epirus, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) y Kodiak AI, se han asociado para desarrollar un nuevo vehículo autónomo para misiones contra vehículos aéreos no tripulados (Counter-UAV): el Leonidas Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV). El vehículo fue presentado en la reciente exposición AUSA Global Force Symposium & Exhibition en Alabama. Zona Militar conversó con Andrew Wargofchik, portavoz de Epirus, sobre el Leonidas AGV y los proyectos de la empresa en América Latina.

 

 

Geopolitical Monitor: Oil Dependency in Wartime: Malaysia and the Iran War

 

 

"Oil Dependency in Wartime: Malaysia and the Iran War"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Geopolitical Monitor 

9 April 2026 

Published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/oil-dependency-in-wartime-malaysia-and-the-iran-war/ 

 

The war in Iran appears to be paused, for now, as the United States and the Islamic Republic have announced a two-week ceasefire. It is unclear whether this ceasefire will hold or if hostilities will resume. In the meantime, countries that rely on energy and other resources from the Middle East will be quick to send their tankers and cargo ships across the Strait of Hormuz to replenish their much-needed energy reserves at home.

Curiously, just prior to the announcement of the ceasefire (and US President Trump’s threat of annihilating Iran as a country), when the Strait was still closed, the government of Malaysia announced an agreement with Tehran to allow the safe passage of Malaysia-bound ships through the contested Strait. This development warrants discussion to understand how governments have navigated this tense situation and the importance of energy diversification.

Future Warfare: " Satellite 2026: A focus on portable military SATCOM systems "

 

 

" Satellite 2026: A focus on portable military SATCOM systems"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Future Warfare Magazine

7 April, 2026

Published: https://www.fw-mag.com/shownews/1004/satellite-2026-a-focus-on-portable-military-satcom-systems 

Several companies that provide military solutions, specifically satellite communication (SATCOM) systems, were present at the recent Satellite 2026 expo, held in Washington, DC, from 23-26 March.

FW MAG visited the SatShow to review new mobile SATCOM systems for both vehicles and dismounted troops. The evolution of warfare does not involve only new lethal weapons, but also communications systems to ensure that troops on the ground and in the frontlines can communicate quickly and reliably.