REDSTONE ARSENAL, AL — Much like the first tank, the first helicopter, and the first radar undeniably changed warfare, the first hypersonic and laser weapons stand to do the same.Starting next year, combat units will begin to see these battlefield firsts, which are being executed by the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO). Established to spearhead rapid prototyping efforts and deliver residual combat capabilities to Soldiers, the RCCTO is on pace to deliver strategic outcomes, and other emerging technologies, to ensure the Army and its Joint partners, can engage across all domains to deter and defeat near-peer threats.

Source: Changing the (Not So Distant) Future Fight: Hypersonics, Directed Energy and More

Lockheed Martin (LMT) has been one of the names I have been bullish on for some years. Admittedly, the stock price performance since I wrote my first report on Lockheed Martin has only outperformed the broader market by a few percent, but its total return has been strong and that’s realized by strong growth in the dividends. In turn, that ability to grow dividends is driven by a strong product complementary product portfolio and ongoing wins in the field.

Source: Lockheed Martin: Behind The Huge $62 Billion Win (NYSE:LMT) | Seeking Alpha

SEOUL — Korea will double the number of F-35 stealth fighter jets it will buy from the United States, including variants that will operate on the country’s first aircraft carrier, according to military sources.

Source: Korean Military to Buy 40 More Fighter Jets from U.S. (excerpt)

WASHNGTON: After years of lower-power field tests and more than one thousand hours of soldier feedback, the Army is on track to field-test two different types of high-energy lasers in 2022: a 50-kilowatt weapon to destroy enemy drones and incoming artillery rockets, and a 300-kW weapon that could potentially shoot down cruise missiles.

Source: Army Starts Construction On Prototype Lasers « Breaking Defense – Defense industry news, analysis and commentary