2025 in review: defense systems

USAF plan to fly C-5, C-17s even longer elicits concern
Service says it needs to hedge against delays to planned Next-Generation Airlift plane.
November 25, 2025 | Thomas Novelly

NATO has built a cloud for Ukraine’s classified battle data
The last hurdle is figuring out information-sharing policies to keep it all safe.
November 25, 2025 | Lauren C. Williams

Air Force’s AI ambitions mean simplifying its tangle of networks
Over the next year, battle-networks chief aims to reduce systems to a “rational number.”
September 25, 2025 | Lauren C. Williams

Pentagon stands up new task force to coordinate anti-drone efforts
The Army will be in charge of the outfit, which will replace the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office.
August 28, 2025 | Meghann Myers

How many drones does it take to replace a destroyer?
Fresh off a summer of testing robotic boats, the Navy's Task Force 66 wants to turn lessons into metrics.
August 27, 2025 | Lauren C. Williams

Pentagon reductions set back critical AI-data platform
After users flocked to Advana, DOD’s AI office laid out a plan to keep it growing. Then came DOGE.
August 20, 2025 | Patrick Tucker

Can COFFEE filters calm the spectrum tug-of-war?
A DARPA project aims to help military and commercial gear squeeze more use out of hotly coveted frequencies.
August 8, 2025 | Lauren C. Williams

Space Force to launch ground target-tracking satellites in 2028
The new capability will first go to forces in the Indo-Pacific first.
August 4, 2025 | Audrey Decker

Meet the ‘cobots’ that could lower the cost of building submarines
A rare peek at Electric Boat’s production line finds robots cutting steel—and even welding.
July 24, 2025 | Lauren C. Williams

Secure comms with allies is hard. The Pentagon wants to change that
The department is working on an effort to streamline a complex set of classified networks they use with allies and partners.
June 28, 2025 | Lauren C. Williams