Defense Systems
Today’s battles happen at the pace of software. The Pentagon needs to hit the accelerator
Experts tell lawmakers where the bottlenecks are.
Science & Tech
The big AI research DARPA is funding this year
The Defense Department’s key research arm will experiment with ethical chatbots and new robot super pilots.
Ideas
Defense One Radio, Ep. 146: Elliot Ackerman on ‘2054: A Novel’
The author and Marine veteran discusses the future of technology, the promise of AI, the perils of toxic politics, and other themes packed into his latest work of speculative fiction.
Defense Systems
Air Force’s T-7 trainer delayed another year
The service is also halving its planned buy of the advanced trainer in its 2025 budget request.
Business
F-35 finally approved for full-rate production, years late
The program has been stuck in its operational testing phase since 2018.
Ideas
The US is not serious about aircraft carriers—or their industrial base
Congress should reject the Navy’s plan to increase the gaps between new carriers.
Policy
US will send another $300M in weapons to Ukraine, thanks to ‘cost savings’
Good negotiating on earlier contracts freed up funds for rockets and ammo, officials say.
Threats
Space Force seeks orbital-refueling tech in new budget
But spending caps will slow counterspace efforts, space chief says in interview.
Threats
Pentagon eyes stockpile replenishment, funds to spur tech industry in 2025 budget
The request comes as the White House wrestles with government-wide and supplemental funding requests.
Threats
CIA Director: With supplemental, Ukraine can hold its own against Russia
Without the additional funding “lies a much grimmer future.”
Policy
Pentagon budget request aims to balance congressional limits, foreign needs, and innovation
“This should be the wake-up call that tells us we need to be buying different stuff,” one expert said.
Policy
Army continues focus on munitions amid Ukraine war, China tensions
The service is also seeking alternatives to its long-range cannon program amid technical problems.
Policy
USAF: Let’s cut older aircraft to fund newer weapons
Space Force would get real cut under 2025 budget proposal.
Policy
Biden, Pentagon urge Congress to pass national security funding bill
Congressional inaction is “problematic,” the Defense Department comptroller said.
Threats
US clears Ospreys to fly, with new maintenance plan and one enduring mystery
Each service has its own path to resume operations after a two-month grounding.
Policy