Science & Tech

As Air Force mulls next-gen fighter, tanker plans hang in the balance

Plans for a stealthy new refueling aircraft look unaffordable—and, perhaps, unnecessary.

Threats

Stay ready, leaders tell Pacific Marines

“There’s a fight coming,” Commandant Gen. Eric Smith said Thursday.

Ideas

Defense One Radio, Ep. 162: Europe in a tight spot

Patrick Tucker unpacks findings from his recent trip to Prague for the 2024 Global Security Conference.

Business

Navy adds $1B to unconventional effort to boost sub production

A non-profit’s sole-source contract pushes third-party funding to a potential of nearly $4 billion.

Threats

Inspired by Ukraine, US Army picks two commercially available drones

The drones, including one type that can drop bombs, are bound for company-level units.

Science & Tech

So you want to build a quantum computer?

It takes expertise in multiple scientific disciplines, researchers at Argonne National Lab say.

Business

Anduril touts new, easy-to-build cruise missiles

The air-breathing “Barracuda” weapons are already flying, company execs say.

Ideas

Could a Canadian experiment help US Navy recruiting?

More than a hundred young Canadians are spending a trial year in their fleet.

Defense Systems

Dear industry: Pentagon wants quantum GPS

The technology is proving difficult to field, according to the Pentagon’s quantum science lead.

Defense Systems

How the US Army is rethinking howitzers

Six months after scrapping one proposed Paladin replacement, Army leaders are casting about for longer-range alternatives.

Business

Expect Air Force’s first robot wingmen to be AMRAAM ‘trucks’

Increment-one CCAs will essentially haul extra air-to-air rounds for F-35, F-22, RTX says.

Policy

Moscow’s Iranian-missile deal draws Western sanctions

Arrangement reveals depth of the countries’ relationship—and of the “supply challenges that Russia is facing,” one official said.