#STRATDELA

Blackbeard Low-Cost Hypersonic Missile Testing On The F/A-18 Super Hornet Has Begun https://www.twz.com/air/blackbeard-low-cost-hypersonic-missile-testing-on-the-f-a-18-super-hornet-has-begun

Good short piece by a friend about "effectors": https://profile.ru/military/chto-takoe-effektory-i-kak-oni-menyajut-oblik-sovremennoj-vojny-1894352/ [In Russian]

Few thoughts on the story about Storm Shadow/SCALP. 1) It is unlikely that such production could realistically be set up on Ukrainian territory in the current situation. No need to talk about concealment of actual missiles deliveries either: in London and in Paris no one makes any secrets of the missile transfers, and they are very proud of it. The missile is, indeed, a good one. 2) It is not entirely clear how the transfer of technology to Ukraine would help to address the ‘bottlenecks’ in the production of such items. Engines, guidance systems and penetrating warheads cannot, strictly speaking, be produced ‘in a garage’. 3) Use of certain technologies in domestic Ukrainian missile and drone development is entirely possible, including at the level of general engineering solutions. That said, it is worth bearing in mind that, firstly, the Storm Shadow missile itself was developed quite some time ago, and France and the UK are currently working on a next-generation family of missiles as part of the Stratus programme. 4) Finally, this is a yet another nail in the MTCR coffin. Sad.

▶️ A military satellite launched atop a carrier rocket from the Plesetsk spaceport has been delivered into the target orbit, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported. The space vehicle has been placed under the control of ground facilities of the Aerospace Forces’ Space Troops, the ministry said. Video: Russian Defense Ministry/TASS

2026, WaPo: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/23/secret-white-house-bunker-undercuts-trumps-ballroom-lawsuit-ex-officials-say/ 2019, @vatfor: https://medium.com/@hasstef/dungeons-of-washington-d-c-the-contract-c-9568-35c117f99763

By 2030, U.S. space transportation must expand to support more than 1,000 launches and reentries each year. Protecting critical space assets and activities is essential for military readiness and for defending America’s economic dominance. Growing a vibrant commercial space economy and space transportation capabilities through the power of American free enterprise will build prosperity and open new economic opportunities, such as high-paying aerospace manufacturing jobs here in America, and decrease the price for developing and deploying new space systems. Novel in-space manufacturing and transportation capabilities will enable discovery and development of high-value materials and pharmaceuticals, unlock new space architectures, and sustain American technology leadership. Enabling next-generation space capabilities will give Americans better positioning, navigation, and timing services for precision agriculture, more accurate weather forecasts for safe and predictable airline travel, and ubiquitous satellite-enabled communications for global broadband internet access. Expanding human reach and American presence in space honors our pioneering legacy, ensures America remains at the forefront of space discovery and achievement, and drives innovation. https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/08/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-launches-the-golden-age-of-space-transportation/

Some thoughts on modern warfare and emerging technologies, including comparing Ukraine and Middle East: https://youtu.be/CCstTM5Y6CA [In Russian]

This Is The New Blackbeard ‘Cheap’ Hypersonic Weapon https://www.twz.com/air/this-is-the-new-blackbeard-cheap-hypersonic-weapon

Out of Ammo: A Two-Year Sprint to Rebuild the American Arsenal and Deter China | Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/reports/out-of-ammo-a-two-year-sprint-to-rebuild-the-american-arsenal-and-deter-china

☢️ Zaporozhskaya Nuclear Power Plant (#ZNPP): The Ukrainian militants carried out a deliberate strike on a staff transport stop in Energodar, where employees of the ZNPP were waiting for a bus to take them to work. ▪️ The attack resulted in 17 casualties, most of them ZNPP employees. One nuclear plant worker was killed. Three of the injured are in moderate condition. All those injured are receiving the necessary medical care. This crosses every line. Those targeted were civilians. They were not involved in the fighting or taking part in hostilities. They were simply on their way to work – to carry out their professional duties and help ensure the safe operation of the nuclear power plant. A deliberate attack on ZNPP personnel is an attack on the very people responsible for nuclear safety. The safety of the plant, Energodar and the vast surrounding area depends on their work. The Kiev regime has once again shown that it is prepared to put civilian lives and the safety of a nuclear facility at risk. ❗️ Nuclear plant workers must never be made targets. Under any circumstances.

Arms Control in a Time of Mistrust: Unilateral Initiatives → UNIDIR https://unidir.org/publication/arms-control-in-a-time-of-mistrust-unilateral-initiatives/

RTX Receives $22 Billion Contract to Accelerate Tomahawk Production The award follows other investments in munitions production capacity aimed at reducing delivery times, strengthening supply chains and supporting U.S. and allied demand. Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/08/18/rtx-contract-accelerate-tomahawk-production/

Nuclear thrones The tricky problem of toilets in fallout shelters: https://doomsdaymachines.net/p/nuclear-thrones