Policy
Allies struggle to work with US military in space operations, GAO finds
An excess of overlapping roles, classification, and unfilled jobs are hurting U.S. collaboration with partners in space.
Science & Tech
How drone warfare fares in the 2026 budget
The president’s proposal leans heavily on one-time reconciliation dollars.
Policy
USAF slashes F-35 buy, boosts next-gen fighter in unconventional 2026 budget proposal
The Pentagon’s spending request includes not just the usual appropriations, but also the still-under-debate reconciliation bill.
Business
Air Force says Qatar jet retrofit will cost less than $400M
Other defense officials have estimated it could be over $1 billion.
Policy
Despite Golden Dome, Space Force budget would shrink again under 2026 spending plan
The White House appears to be pinning its hopes on the one-time reconciliation bill.
Policy
Space Force losing 14% of its civilian workers
That’s more than other military branches, and it means the service will end the year with nearly 1,000 fewer people than expected.
Policy
Hegseth orders elimination of 10% of general, admiral jobs
Memo also orders the elimination of one-fifth of 4-star posts. No deadline, few guidelines given for shakeup.
Policy
Trump’s pick for Air Force No. 2 civilian defends past political comments
Democratic lawmakers voiced concern over Lohmeier’s previous calls for “serious consequences” for officials who “hyper-politicized” the military.
Business
Industry eyes ‘wicked hard’ Golden Dome space interceptor challenge
Defense companies are eager to stake claims in Trump’s Golden Dome vision.
Policy
State of the Space Force 2025
As Trump envisions “our manifest destiny into the stars,” the Space Force is set to play a key role in America’s space ambitions.
Policy
Space Force releases vision for fighting in space
The new document defines terms like “orbital warfare” to help prepare guardians for future conflict.
Policy
Space Force preps ‘international space strategy’ as US-ally ties fray
Gen. Saltzman said military-to-military relations are “business as usual.”
Policy
Will Space Force shift contracts to commercial? ‘Everything’s on the table,' official says
The service is considering lower-cost commercial options that can be delivered faster, if the mission allows it.
Threats
How China is expanding its anti-satellite arsenal
The Space Force chief doesn’t like the “curves” of how China is progressing vs the U.S.—and says he doesn’t have the funding to reverse it.
Business
Two rocket makers take step toward Space Force launches
Rocket Lab and Stoke Space receive $5 million apiece to prep their launch vehicles for government inspections.
Science & Tech
Defense One Radio, Ep. 176: Space Force Gen. Chance Saltzman
Our State of Defense interview series with the general in charge of the military’s space operations.
Science & Tech
Space Force may use SpaceX satellites instead of developing its own, senator says
The satellites in question are part of the data transport layer of the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
Business
ULA’s Vulcan cleared for national-security launches
The heavy-lift rocket brings competition to a market dominated by SpaceX.
Defense Systems