Author Archive
Lauren C. Williams
Business Editor
Lauren C. Williams is Business Editor for Defense One. She previously covered defense technology and cybersecurity for FCW and Defense Systems. Williams has reported for various publications on topics from internet culture and health care, politics to crime. She has a master's in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a bachelor's in dietetics from the University of Delaware. Contact her on Signal: laurencw.62.
Business
Trump lambastes defense CEOs over pay, stock buybacks
The president also pushed for a $1.5-trillion defense budget.
- Lauren C. Williams
Policy
‘A line crossed’: Lawmakers, lawyers, anti-war advocates alarmed by Venezuela overthrow
The lack of Congressional notification stokes fears of another "forever war."
- Thomas Novelly and Lauren C. Williams
Business
‘Very, very strange time’: After a big 2025, what’s next for the defense industry?
A year of rising profits, rising Pentagon demands, and continued Congressional dysfunction sets the stage for another turbulent year.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Pentagon preps to enforce ban on companies with ‘indirect’ ties to China
Defense firms will be notified of potential links to blacklisted Chinese-military companies a year before the contracting ban goes into effect, the assistant defense secretary for industrial policy said.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
General Dynamics wants to turn competitors into teammates
From combat systems to IT, the company is looking at ways to bring the defense industry together to create new tech the military wants.
- Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
Policy
Hegseth hints at higher defense budgets as OMB says another reconciliation bill is possible
Analysts had warned that the $156 billion reconciliation bill might lead to efforts unsustainable without more money.
- Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Building maritime drones in months—not years—could be key to creating the Navy’s hybrid fleet
“That’s the kind of pace we need,” said House Armed Services Committee Vice Chair Rob Wittman.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Anduril to build autonomous vessel prototype in Korea
The announcement is part of a new partnership with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries—a leading shipbuilder worldwide.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Unveiling acquisition overhaul, Hegseth tells industry to get with the program
One expert said the reforms would sweep away Cold War processes—and draw backlash from established primes.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Defense tech companies will weather the shutdown. But what happens next?
Some primes are doing all right, while small companies brace for uncertainty under a CR.
- Lauren C. Williams
Policy
Experts see promise, risk in Pentagon’s draft acquisition reforms
A draft memo is circulating ahead of SecDef Hegseth’s Friday speech.
- Thomas Novelly, Lauren C. Williams and Patrick Tucker
Business
‘Cautious’ optimism follows top warship builder’s productivity, workforce wins
For HII, higher wages attracted seasoned shipyard workers and boosted retention.
- Lauren C. Williams
Threats
STRATCOM nominee takes heat hours after Trump’s nuclear-test bombshell
In and around Vice Adm. Richard Correll’s confirmation hearing, senators criticized the president's new interest in testing.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Meet the White House pick to conquer the ‘Valley of Death’
James Caggy, a former advisor for the Pentagon’s Strategic Capabilities Office, wants companies’ tech to match operational needs.
- Lauren C. Williams