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
Embraer joins Northrop to devise autonomous boom system for KC-390 tanker
The deal aims to court international buyers and the Air Force as it sketches out its future refueling program.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Boeing moves its defense HQ back to St. Louis
The aerospace giant’s global headquarters will remain in Arlington, Va.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
CNO: ‘I need my stuff on time’
Adm. Daryl Caudle issued a direct call for transparent contracting with the maritime industrial base.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Crowded field of robot-boat makers vies for Navy's attention
Industry execs say service leaders are showing real interest—even if they’re not yet buying in bulk.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
HII CEO touts productivity gains—but says new contracts are needed to sustain progress
Shipyard exec says deals to build attack and ballistic-missile subs must be inked by mid-year.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Munitions makers say they've been persuaded to invest more in production capacity
The administration's last-minute request for a funding bump garnered just $2B, but company execs seem to appreciate the effort.
- Lauren C. Williams and Thomas Novelly
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.
- Lauren C. Williams
Science & Tech
DOE seeks batteries with four times the juice
Six teams will get money to build manufacturable prototypes in two years.
- Lauren C. Williams
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