Defense Systems
Cost estimate for new Sentinel ICBM plan won’t arrive until year’s end
Program managers tout progress, dismiss GAO concerns.
Policy
Sen. Wyden to block confirmation for NSA director, citing lack of experience
The Oregon senator took issue with Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd’s responses to questions regarding civil liberties and oversight against unlawful surveillance.
Ideas
Defense One Radio, Ep. 204: “Until the Last Gun Is Silent” by Matthew Delmont
A historian explores patriotism, U.S. foreign policy, and the anti-war movement during the Vietnam era.
Sponsor Content
Building public trust in a data-driven government
Each day, government agencies collect millions of data points about the people they serve, from birth certificates to business licenses, tax returns to benefit applications.
Threats
Pentagon pick to lead homeland defense policy grilled over election security
The heated debate follows President Trump’s calls to “nationalize” elections.
Science & Tech
25th ID helping the Army smooth out the wrinkles in its next-generation C2
Organizing data, automatic spectrum-switching and more from soldiers’ wish lists.
Sponsor Content
Why file trust fails at the tactical edge and how Zero Trust solves it
Cross-domain solutions (CDS) are designed to protect data as it moves between trust boundaries—but at the tactical edge, traditional detection-based security models often fail.
Defense Systems
USAF ‘woefully behind’ on modernizing mobility aircraft, airlift commander says
Pushing aging aircraft decades past their service life is the emerging service strategy.
Voices
Special Report
Business
Several trends are shifting defense tech toward Europe
War, regulation, and distrust of the United States are tilting a big market homeward.
Policy
Trump repeats claims to have ‘obliterated’ Iran’s nuke program, ended ‘8 wars’
In the longest-ever State of the Union speech, the president also took credit for a “trillion-dollar” defense budget, while falsely claiming that tariffs funded a pay bump for troops.
Science & Tech
Air Force test pilots used tactical AI to evade a missile
A Skunk Works project pushed pilots to give artificial intelligence control in the cockpit.
Policy
Pentagon’s spending plan doubles down on land, air, sea robots
A look at new tech efforts in the Pentagon’s $151 billion reconciliation allocation plan.
Business
An Air Force drone wingman has started flying with weapons
Anduril’s collaborative combat aircraft began “captive carry" testing last month.
Business
Air Force reaches deal with Northrop to expand B-21 production
The Pentagon wants to spend $4.5 billion in bomber-related reconciliation funds this year alone.
Ideas
Defense One Radio, Ep. 203: Fictional intelligence
The authors of a new series discuss how they're exploring the future of conflict through short stories.
Exclusive
Business
Replacement B-52 test engine deliveries expected in 2027
The new F130 engines aim to keep the Cold War-era bomber flying through the 2050s.
Science & Tech
An MQ-20 drone just teamed up with an F-22 for mock combat missions
The drone was able to “exchange messages” with the pilot about patrols, maneuvers, and more.
Policy
All eyes on Air Force leaders after a year of chaos and change
Experts say service leaders ought to pitch a clear vision at upcoming conference.
Science & Tech