Science & Tech
Lightning Lab gives Pacific Army division drone-building capabilities on the front lines
The small group of soldiers can produce gear—and then immediately take feedback to make it better.
Business
USAF adds third contender for initial robot-wingman buy; picks 9 for next phase
More than a year after Anduril and General Atomics got R&D contracts, Northrop wins entry with a self-financed CCA.
Science & Tech
Special operators seek larger ranges for electronic warfare and drone development and training
“We're going to start having some of these uncomfortable discussions,” said one official.
Science & Tech
Building post-quantum gear is hard. A new partnership aims to make it easier
A European chipmaker and software firm are offering shortcuts to incorporating heavyweight encryption.
Business
And just like that, the Navy’s frigate program is back on—sort of
The move comes days after Navy Secretary John Phelan canceled the yearslong delayed program.
Science & Tech
Ukraine is helping the US catch up with modern warfare—for now
Observers say broader cooperation could help both sides, if the Trump administration allows it.
Business
Northrop Grumman to fly new, improved CCA offering next year
The company spent 15 months redesigning and building a robot wingman after losing its initial bid for the U.S. Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft program.
Defense Systems
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.
Science & Tech
How the Army’s most tech-forward units are practicing for war
A two-week exercise simulated island battles—and put some 75 new technologies to the test.
Science & Tech
Can quantum sensing improve magnetic navigation? Pentagon thinks one company is on the right track
The Defense Department is looking to speed up deployment of new GPS alternatives.
Science & Tech
The pilot of an F-22 just controlled a drone wingman in flight
The General Atomics linkup is a first for the Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft effort.
Business
Just one prototype won’t cut it anymore, Pacific Marine commander tells industry
MARFORPAC is working faster, so it needs companies with innovative gear to show up with multiples.
Threats
Pacific soldiers push forward with transformation, with an eye on China
“The cost of failure is too damn high,” Gen. Ronald Clark says.
Science & Tech
Systems, not silver bullets, are key to victory in the Pacific: SOCPAC chief
Specifically, integrated systems that can disrupt the enemy, Maj. Gen. VanAntwerp said.
Science & Tech
PacFleet is rushing to create new capabilities, operating concepts
Adm. Koehler: “It might sound to you like we’re building the airplane while we fly it. That is no accident.”
Business
With cautious optimism, some defense firms lock in on prototypes to drive demand
Could the “Field of Dreams” mantra—if you build it, they will buy—help the Pentagon buy smarter, faster?
Science & Tech
Army to test next-gen C2 prototype for the second time since July contract award
How the service is revamping not just its command and control software, but how it develops systems in general.
Defense Systems