The Lasers Protecting America's Stadiums

America is preparing for a new generation of warfare—and the battlefield is changing faster than ever. The U.S. Air Force is already planning a successor to its massive GBU-57 bunker buster, hoping to create a smarter bomb capable of destroying deeply buried underground facilities once thought impossible to reach. South Korea is taking a major step toward becoming one of the few nations to operate nuclear-powered submarines, a move that could dramatically shift the balance of power in East Asia and bring Seoul closer than ever to an independent nuclear future. At sea, the U.S. Navy is beginning to pair aircraft carriers with autonomous drone ships, testing concepts that could redefine how future naval task forces fight. Meanwhile, American officials are racing to strengthen homeland defenses as the rapid spread of low-cost drones exposes new vulnerabilities around military bases, sporting events, and critical infrastructure, with high-energy laser weapons emerging as one of the most promising solutions. From next-generation bunker busters and nuclear submarines to autonomous warships and the growing race to stop drone attacks, this week's intelligence report explores the technologies and military developments that could shape the future of global security.