Author Archive
Jennifer Hlad
Managing Editor, Defense One
Jennifer Hlad is managing editor at Defense One and lives in Kailua, Hawaii. Hlad was a Stars and Stripes reporter at the Pentagon and West Coast bureau chief in California before traveling with her Marine Corps husband to posts in Manama and Okinawa, all the while working a mix of assignments with Air Force Magazine, the Daily Beast, Military Times and other publications. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia, and holds a master’s degree in journalism from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland. Contact her on Signal at jhlad.25.
Business
Can partner nations help solve the Navy’s shipbuilding woes?
On a trip through the Pacific, the chief of naval operations sought ways to get more warships faster.
- Jennifer Hlad
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.
- Jennifer Hlad
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.
- Jennifer Hlad
Threats
Pacific soldiers push forward with transformation, with an eye on China
“The cost of failure is too damn high,” Gen. Ronald Clark says.
- Jennifer Hlad
Threats
Exercise underscored need for AI, autonomy, C2, and networks
Operating with speed, scale, and agility in the Indo-Pacific is “probably the most challenging thing” the military does, PACAF commander says.
- Jennifer Hlad
Threats
China is already dominating the data war in the Pacific, experts say
'Lack of focus' is slowing needed change at the Pentagon, a former acting SecDef says.
- Jennifer Hlad
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.
- Jennifer Hlad
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.”
- Jennifer Hlad
Business
Has Space Force cracked the code on faster acquisition?
Leaders say the service is “disrupting” the Valley of Death, among other innovations.
- Jennifer Hlad
Exclusive
Science & Tech
When China plays orbital hide-and-seek, Maui’s telescopes give the US an edge
In an interview, Space Force’s Saltzman reveals what’s next for the key sensor site.
- Jennifer Hlad
Science & Tech
Drone boats, new landing craft get Army Pacific tryouts
The service is looking for better ways to protect its waterborne forces.
- Jennifer Hlad
Threats
China is working to weaken Palau, the island nation’s president says
The western Pacific country is one of only a handful that maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
- Jennifer Hlad
Policy
‘The homeland is in the Pacific’
INDOPACOM commander says he's unconcerned about Washington's shift in attention.
- Jennifer Hlad
Science & Tech
INDOPACOM’s ‘expeditionary foundry’ is another step toward the 3D-printed future
From FPV drones to irreplaceable howitzer parts, The Forge is expanding the realm of DIY military gear.
- Jennifer Hlad
Science & Tech
In the Pacific, Army leaders expect today’s fiction to be near-term reality
Service secretary envisions drone-and-soldier teams within just a few years.
- Jennifer Hlad
Threats
The D Brief: Double sub production?; Shipbuilding ‘cobots’; Army’s unassigned tech-execs; Border SITREP; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson, Bradley Peniston and Jennifer Hlad
Threats
Today’s D Brief: No new-tanker contest; US bases cleared to house immigrants; Marine to run USNA; Airliner dodges B-52; And a bit more.
- Bradley Peniston and Jennifer Hlad
Threats
US joins Iran-Israel war
Trump, who ordered strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, threatens more action.
- Jennifer Hlad
Threats
Today’s D Brief: Dramatic strikes hit Russian airbases; WH’s 2026 budget; Army’s drone training; INDOPACOM’s AI; And a bit more.
- Bradley Peniston and Jennifer Hlad
Threats
Land forces tool up for potential Pacific conflict
Army, Marines pursue transformation, while exercises with partner nations grow more sophisticated.
- Jennifer Hlad