On Tuesday, November 14th, Lockheed Martin inaugurated a $16.5 million engineering facility at its Huntsville campus, enhancing missile defense innovation in North Alabama. The Missile System Integration Lab (MSIL) will serve as the development and testing hub for the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI), the nation's upcoming long-range ballistic missile defense system. The facility includes a digital engineering center and infrastructure to establish and maintain a digital thread throughout the integration process. Lockheed Martin's commitment to North Alabama is underscored by this investment, contributing to the region's growth and advanced capabilities. The MSIL, built on decades of missile defense expertise, supports hardware and software integration, showcasing the company's dedication to reducing risk in the NGI program. With the NGI program headquarters in Huntsville, Lockheed Martin is further solidifying its presence in the Rocket City, reinforcing it as a hub for missile defense excellence. The company also plans to construct two advanced facilities in Courtland, Alabama, expanding missile production and supporting its growing capabilities in the state.

On Wednesday, November 15th, A U.S. Navy destroyer, the USS Thomas Hudner, intercepted and shot down a drone originating from Yemen as it approached the ship in the southern Red Sea near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait. The crew took prompt action to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel, resulting in no casualties or damage to the ship. Although there was no direct attribution to Iran-backed Houthi rebels, an initial intelligence assessment suggested that the drone was likely targeting the ship. This incident follows a recent episode where the Houthis shot down a U.S. drone over the Red Sea, with conflicting claims regarding its location. The Houthis, who have launched multiple aerial attacks against Israel, including strikes on U.S. Navy vessels, have vowed to target ships operating in the Red Sea. The USS Carney also faced similar drone strikes from Yemen on October 19, with the U.S. not believing the missiles were aimed at the ship. The Houthi rebels are known for their anti-Israel stance and frequent demonstrations in support of Palestinians.

On Thursday, November 16th, Poland announced plans to establish an aerostats-based radar battalion to enhance radar capabilities as part of the development of the Polish Armed Forces. The first radar post is set to be established in July 2026. The initiative is linked to the Barbara program, with a request submitted to the U.S. for the delivery of four aerostats to monitor Polish airspace. This move is expected to improve Polish SIGINT capabilities by reducing the need for continuous airborne early warning (AEW) platforms, thereby minimizing wear and tear and operational costs. The Barbara program, aimed at enhancing airspace surveillance for NATO, has been in preparation since at least 2017, with a focus on tracking low-flying threats and ensuring continuous detection capabilities over extended periods. This move highlights the need for persistent overhead sensing capabilities.

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