July 2026 • Page 72 of 77 • The Defense Post

Jul- 2026 -

2 July

Sea

MANTECH to Future-Proof US Navy’s Surface Radar Capabilities

Virginia-based MANTECH has secured a $197-million contract to support radar modernization works at the US Navy’s Naval Surface Warfare Center - Crane Division.

2 July

Europe

Black smoke rises over the city following a large-scale military operation in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 2, 2026

Staff Writer With AFP

Russian Strikes Kill 17 in Biggest Ever Attack on Kyiv, Mayor Says

Russia launched its largest ever barrage on Kyiv early, according to the city's mayor, tearing open apartment buildings in a hours-long drone and missile attack that killed at least 17 people.

2 July

Technology

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Victor Cordero, a platoon sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, uses his smartphone to take a photo of his wife, Staff Sgt. Jessica Cordero, as she disassembles an M4 Carbine Rifle during the weapons lane portion of the Expert Infantryman Badge/Expert Soldier Badge (EIB/ESB) competition March 31 at Fort Bliss, Texas. Staff Sgt. Cordero, a financial management technician assigned to 4th Financial Management Support Unit, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division Support Brigade, competed in the ESB competition earning the coveted ESB setting her apart from her peers as a symbol of excellence. The "Ready First" 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division hosted the EIB/ESB competition which included a series of rigorous and demanding events such as the Expert Physical Fitness Assessment, day and night land navigation, individual weapons qualification, medical lanes, patrol lanes, and a 12-mile road march. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Wheeler Brunschmid).

Rojoef Manuel

US Army Tests Mobile Apps for Frontline Ops

The US Army has tested new approaches to give warfighters direct data access in the field through mobile applications as part of an exercise at Fort Carson, Colorado.

2 July

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion

A rifle mounted on an unmanned aerial system. Photo: Elbit Systems

Rojoef Manuel

Duke Robotics Confirms New Elbit Order for ‘Bird of Prey’ Drone Weapon

Florida-based company Duke Robotics has announced that Elbit Systems Land secured a new order for its Bird of Prey drone-mounted weapon system, with deliveries scheduled for later this year.

2 July

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion

Rojoef Manuel

Ukraine Opens First Competitive Tender for Middle-Strike Drones

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has launched its first large-scale competitive tender for middle-strike unmanned aerial systems, marking a major shift in how the military procures autonomous systems.

2 July

Americas

Allied military personnel participate in a joint cyber workshop during RIMPAC 2026 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Photo: Petty Officer 2nd Class Shardenae Pyper/DVIDS

Samantha Alexa

Booz Allen, OpenAI Partner to Bring Frontier AI to Defense

Booz Allen Hamilton and OpenAI are expanding their collaboration to bring frontier artificial intelligence closer to real-world defense missions.

2 July

Americas

A military operator uses a digital targeting interface during a defense technology demonstration. Image: Aurex

Samantha Alexa

Aurex Pushes AI Into Hypersonic Mission Planning and Battle Management

US defense firm Aurex is advancing two AI systems that simulate strike missions and battlefield decisions before they happen.

2 July

Land

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

Israel Brings ‘First-of-Its-Kind’ Turbo Tech to Lavi Hummer Tactical Vehicle

A “first-of-its-kind” turbo system is now at the core of the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) Lavi Hummer tactical vehicle, giving it greater performance in mountainous terrain.

2 July

Air

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

Ukraine’s Potential Next Battlefield Ride? Airbikes and Airbuggies

Ukraine is exploring a new way to move troops into battle, with the country’s government-backed Brave1 innovation platform beginning work on airbikes and air-mobile buggies for frontline missions.

2 July

Land

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Canada’s New MRAP Vehicle Duo Brings Two Approaches to Armored Survivability

Canada is putting a spotlight on a new generation of mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles with a tactical armored platform duo built for “for high mobility in extreme environments.”

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