Science & Tech

General Atomics’ ‘robot wingman’ makes first flight

The company is in the running to build collaborative combat aircraft for the Air Force.

Policy

With one day until shutdown, House sends stopgap funding bill to Senate

The Senate hopes to act quickly on the bill and set up votes on full-year appropriations next week.

Policy

Space Force units that operate and sustain their gear? Let’s make more, leader says

The months-old Integrated Mission Deltas for electromagnetic warfare and positioning-navigation-timing have already proven their value, Space Operations commander says.

Defense Systems

Pentagon adds 'living inspection' to its cyber defenses

New assessment process adds automation, flexibility to threat detection, leaders say.

Business

Some U.S. military aid is still trickling into Ukraine via arms dealers, contracts suggest

Companies that have previously supplied Ukraine are now competing to provide “special ammunition” worth $624 million.

Policy

Air Force must learn from suicides, chief says in wake of airman’s self-immolation over Gaza

“Whether it was politically motivated or other, we lost one of ours,” Gen. Allvin said after being heckled by protesters.

Business

Is Azerbaijan buying Pakistani fighter jets?

Neither Baku nor Islamabad has confirmed a reported purchase of JF-17s.

Policy

Army aims to cut 32,000 billets over five years, including 3,000 in special operations

Service leaders say they are also planning for other cuts if Congress fails to pass a budget or supplemental funding for aid to Ukraine and Israel.

Threats

Russian space nuke wouldn’t alter US orbital-network plans, Space Force says

The nascent Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture is built on the idea that lots of satellites offer plenty of redundancy.

Ideas

Biden shouldn’t stick to a defense-budget deal the House will not honor

Instead, the president should take a page from his former boss’ playbook—and seek the money the military needs.

Threats

Budget impasse freezes two Space Force efforts, leaders say

This year’s spending caps will boost future costs, acting Air Force undersecretary adds.