Science & Tech
Marines say they’re ‘leading the way’ in battlefield autonomy
But unique technical challenges and tech wariness keep robot trucks on a short leash.
Policy
Marines’ top goal: 3 amphibious ready groups at sea
Ship maintenance backlogs have kept the amphib fleet limping for years.
Defense Systems
Ospreys won’t return to full flight operations until 2026
The program office expects upgraded gearboxes to begin arriving in January.
Business
How cargo drones could reshape Marine Corps resupply
Medium-sized cargo drones could be key to effective distributed operations. One company is rushing to be the first to deliver them.
Science & Tech
Defense One Radio, Ep. 178: Sea-Air-Space, in review
From drones to shipbuilding, we review what we learned at this year's Sea-Air-Space conference in Washington.
Policy
State of the Marine Corps 2025
“Everything is in danger of slipping,” commandant says of Marine modernization.
Policy
Confronted with ‘eye-opening’ costs, SecNav vows to root out waste
Phelan said his service is beginning to review existing acquisition contracts and will “demand accountability of the shipbuilding enterprise.”
Science & Tech
Marine Corps to field counter-drone systems to dismounted units
The fielding plans follow a September fly-off.
Policy
Defense One Radio, Ep. 174: Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith
Our annual State of Defense interview series begins with a commandant working to balance crisis response and modernization.
Policy
Service leaders beg for flexibility as full-year continuing resolution looms
Without a new budget—or relief from the strictures of its absence—the military can’t start new projects or pay for the unexpected.
Business
Marines hire Anduril for counter-drone services worth up to $642M
Ten competitors vied to protect bases with non-kinetic means.
Business
F-35 to get new software this summer—but there’s no date yet for planned full upgrade
Lockheed is hoping to wring out problems this year as the new administration revisits purchase plan.
Policy