Defense Systems
The Navy used drones to sink a retired warship
Lessons from the SINKEX are shaping the service’s plans to buy and fight.
Science & Tech
How the Pentagon plans to spend $50 billion on drone warfare
As new drone startups proliferate, Pentagon and military leaders outline their priorities for building “drone dominance."
Policy
House draft of defense policy bill leaves some of Trump admin’s top priorities unfunded
The draft bill doesn’t include reconciliation dollars.
Exclusive
Threats
Iran’s hackers are coordinating more closely: Israeli cyber leader
Yossi Karadi is seeking access to advanced models like Anthropic’s Mythos to help defend Israeli government networks.
Policy
HASC still waiting for updated E-7 Wedgetail funding request
‘We would like to see that budget amendment,” one senior staffer said.
Policy
OPM proposes requiring all feds to sign an NDA
Experts warned the measure, when combined with the federal HR agency’s new power to target employees’ suitability for federal employment, creates a new pathway for Trump administration officials to purge those deemed insufficiently loyal to the president.
Threats
The military says it’s ready to ‘fight tonight’ in the Pacific. Can it sustain that fight?
“We cannot win if our supply lines are 5,000 miles long,” says U.S. Forces Korea commander.
Science & Tech
Smaller, easier, smarter: what special operators want from AI
AI agents are coming to a special operations mission near you—if they can fit in the pack.
Threats
Space Force needs to prepare for an ‘in-person’ moon conflict with China, new report argues
Guardians need a human spaceflight program for future lunar missions, Mitchell Institute says.
Ideas
The Pentagon’s $54 billion bet on autonomous warfare
With new DAWG initiative, the DOD is attempting to fix a historically slow-moving, broken acquisition pipeline.
Policy
Gabbard to resign as director of national intelligence, citing husband’s health
Her exit marks the end of a 16-month tenure overseeing the nation’s spy agencies.
Defense Systems
General Atomics resumes drone-wingman flights after mishap
An investigation by the Air Force and the defense contractor led to a software change.
Policy
Key Army efforts pinned to lawmakers’ taste for a new reconciliation bill
White House puts funding for munitions, industrial development in precedent-breaking request.
Defense Systems
F-35, F-15 may take A-10’s combat-search-and-rescue role: USAF chief
Warthog retirements have been delayed as officials look for a replacement platform.
Threats
‘Everybody is going underground’: CENTCOM head calls for new tech to hit buried targets
Adm. Brad Cooper was praised, and grilled, by lawmakers during his first HASC hearing.
Business
Navy greenlights low-rate production of drone refueler
A contract for three MQ-25A aircraft is expected this summer.
Policy
One year in, Army’s transformation efforts are under fire
Hegseth is rethinking his order to offload old systems and bring in new tech.
Science & Tech