Author Archive

Lauren C. Williams

Business Editor

Lauren C. Williams
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

Navy shipbuilding stands to get $27 billion in funding in 2026

Compromise spending bill reflects a $6.5 billion increase over the president’s budget request for shipbuilding—and corrects One Big Beautiful Bill accounting miscalculations.

Science & Tech

DOE seeks batteries with four times the juice

Six teams will get money to build manufacturable prototypes in two years.

Policy

‘A line crossed’: Lawmakers, lawyers, anti-war advocates alarmed by Venezuela overthrow

The lack of Congressional notification stokes fears of another "forever war."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.